Self efficacy in people with prostate cancer in the UK: A large, digital survey

BackgroundIn psychology, self-efficacy is the belief in one's own ability to manage a specific situation. Patients (pts) diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC) can have long and varied treatment pathways. Challenges include complex treatment options, limited healthcare resources, digitalization, and higher expectations of self-responsibility. We report from a digital survey that assessed self-efficacy in pts with PC in the UK.MethodsA voluntary, anonymous, online survey aimed at pts with PC in the UK was conducted between 31 Jul and 11 Sep 2023. Awareness was generated primarily through social media advertisements. Pts were asked about their medical history, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), digital tool use, and involvement in shared decision-making. Self-efficacy was measured using the Cancer Survivor Self-Efficacy Scale and Cancer Behaviour Inventory-Brief Version (optional). Correlation analysis was by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (Python).ResultsCompleted surveys were received from 2463 pts with PC (median age 69 years) of whom 13% had metastasized disease. 50% of pts were college/university educated and 70% were aware of their Gleason score. ≥5 medications per day were taken by 46% of pts and <41% had used a type of digital tool to help manage their condition. FACT-P total score provided the strongest correlation to self-efficacy (Table). Self-efficacy was also positively correlated with shared decision-making, and satisfaction with digital tool use to engage with HCPs and aid self management. No correlation was observed for level of education, type of hospital (NHS, private, university), or age. Table: 1639P Correlation with self-efficacy Disease stage Sample size Correlation co-efficient Positive HRQoL assessed by FACT-P total score All 2463 0.785 Met 326 0.761 Actively involved in shared decision making All 2409 0.346 Met 324 0.288 Digital tool: ad-hoc reporting of medical issues to my care team All 609 0.412 Met 105 0.414 Digital tool: Scheduled tele-consultation All 931 0.376 Met 169 0.324 Digital tool: Scheduled remote care All 1002 0.361 Met 154 0.420 FACT-P, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Prostate Cancer questionnaire; HRQoL, health-related quality of life; Met, metastatic ConclusionsIn our survey in patients with PC and metastatic PC, a higher HRQoL was strongly related to higher self-efficacy levels. Shared decision-making and digital support tools also contributed to self-efficacy. These factors are within the remit of the patients' clinician/organization; their further use and the impact on self-efficacy should be evaluated systematically.Editorial acknowledgementMedical writing assistance was provided by Martin Goulding, DPhil, from Mudskipper Business Ltd., funded by AstraZeneca.Legal entity responsible for the studyAstraZeneca.FundingAstraZeneca.DisclosureJ.M. O'Sullivan: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Astellas, Bayer, AAA/Novartis, Monrol, Sanofi, Imedica; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AAA/Novartis, AstraZeneca, Janssen. N. Yeh, M. Chatterjee, S. Le Mare, A. Bettin: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks or ownership: AstraZeneca. R. Lehmann: Financial Interests, Personal, Officer, Founder and CEO: DontBePatient Intelligence; Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant, Founding of the Prostate Cancer Patient Survey: Novartis/AAA; Financial Interests, Institutional, Funding, Founding of Research Activities: AstraZeneca. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.