Navigating Women’s BIA-ALCL Information Needs: Group Seminars May Offer an Opportunity to Empower the Patient–Surgeon Team

BACKGROUND: Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that has been linked to textured breast implants, and is an emerging concern within the plastic and reconstructive surgery community. Many surgeons are struggling with how best to inform their patients and manage BIA-ALCL care without overwhelming their standard clinical practice. METHODS: Five educational group seminars were held for 53 patients. A thematic analysis of the field notes taken at each seminar was conducted to identify recurring patient and surgeon behaviors. RESULTS: The thematic analysis identified 5 key themes: seeking, amplifying, framing, trusting, and empowering. Seeking describes the knowledge sought by patients and their varying engagement in their care. Amplifying underlines how the emotionally charged topic of BIA-ALCL impacted patient and surgeon behaviors. Framing presents surgeon efforts to help patients understand the risk level of BIA-ALCL. Trusting addresses the ways BIA-ALCL has impacted patient trust in the medical community and the mechanisms to rebuild this trust. Empowering outlines surgeon efforts to engage patients in shared decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Herein is presented a possible framework for efficient BIA-ALCL patient education that can be adapted to different surgical practices. Lessons learned are: (1) patients want information on BIA-ALCL’s clinical features and prophylactic implant removal; (2) BIA-ALCL discussions are emotionally charged and surgeons must remain cognizant of group dynamics and that the physician–patient power differential may impact patient decision-making; (3) patient trust has been strained but can be restored; and (4) patient responses to BIA-ALCL are variable and subjective; thus, surgeons should emphasize patient-centered care.