Table 2 Themes derived from the qualitative study

Information collection process

Theme 1: Complete and understandable information

“I think it is important that a clinician is open to a patient. That they do not refrain from providing information. Nowadays, clinicians pay more attention to this than in the past. But clinicians are different in that. I’m lucky because my surgeon explains everything very thoroughly and in a straightforward way. I appreciate that ”. F, 69y

“I think it is important that they < e.g. clinicians > explain everything in an understandable way. No fancy Latin names that patients do not understand and that results in saying to yourself when you are out of the office: I have cancer, but I don’t know what they are going to do. For me it is important that I understand everything”. M, 66y

Theme 2: Active role of patients in information gathering

“In advance, I made a list with questions I wanted to ask the clinician. Are there alternatives, is it an option to do nothing? I wrote 5 or 6 issues down. I came well-prepared” F, 66y

“I read a lot on the Internet in that time period and I am pleased with that information and knowledge because I can actively take part in the conversation with the clinician” F, 66y

Theme 3: Hearing preference of the clinician

“Initially, they scheduled me for SABR, because of the fact that there was little tissue damage. During the second consultation with the clinician, I asked him, what would you advice your own father? Then he said: surgery”. M, 62y

“And then my oncologist said to me, it is your decision, what do you want? Then I said, what do you recommend?”. M, 80y

Decision making process

Theme 4: Conduct of professionals

“Many of the consultations with a clinician are technical. And they forget to feel compassion for a patient. There is no time to do that. When a clinician is very kind, that is 20 % of your recovery. Only being nice. And when he is disrespectful , you decline with 20 %”. F, 66y

“In my opinion, it is important that a clinician is able to communicate with people, able to talk and to listen. And when you are not able to do that, you are a worthless clinician”. M, 78y

Theme 5: Opportunity to express own opinion

“The clinician wanted to operate immediately. I said, I want to think about that first. There’s also the option of radiotherapy” F, 69y

“They < clinicians > wanted to operate me. I felt that my body wasn’t ready for another operation. Then I said that I wanted a second opinion. I wanted that very badly” F, 63y

Theme 6: Role of family members

“When it was clear what SABR was about and that it was 1 to 5 times, I clearly mentioned to my father, you can do that” Daughter of M, 78y

“My husband joins me. We complement each other. We do all these things together. When there is something wrong with him I go along and when there is something wrong with myself, he goes along”. F, 80y