In this exploratory study we will conduct focus groups and individual interviews with two population segments according to the established methodology of Krueger and Casey [13] and Morgan [14]. We will conduct 4-6 focus groups, two to three within each population segment, to evaluate the process of decision-making to manage papillary microcarcinoma, factors that influenced decision-making, understanding of risk for recurrence and other negative outcomes due to thyroid cancer, information needed to make informed decisions, and what could influence thyroid cancer patients who have had surgery or have scheduled to have surgery to remove their papillary microcarcinomas to consider active surveillance. Individual interviews will be offered and conducted as needed for those patients who are unable to attend a focus group due to scheduling conflicts or other reasons.

In this exploratory study we will conduct focus groups with two population segments according to the established methodology of Krueger and Casey [13] and Morgan [14]. We will conduct 4-6 focus groups, two to three within each population segment, to evaluate the process of decision-making to manage papillary microcarcinoma, factors that influenced decision-making, understanding of risk for recurrence and other negative outcomes due to thyroid cancer, information needed to make informed decisions, and what could influence thyroid cancer patients who have had surgery or have scheduled to have surgery to remove their papillary microcarcinomas to consider active surveillance. Individual interviews will be offered and conducted as needed for those patients who are unable to attend a focus group due to scheduling conflicts or other reasons.

The focus groups will cover the following issues

• Perceptions of thyroid cancer and disease status
• Sources of information used in papillary microcarcinoma treatment decision-making
• Treatment decision-making processes and influential factors
• Perceived barriers to active surveillance to treat papillary microcarcinoma (for the immediate surgery sub-sample)
• Perceived facilitators to active surveillance to treat papillary microcarcinoma (for the non-immediate surgery sub-sample)
• Views about how to improve acceptability of active surveillance as a disease management option

We'll conduct focus groups & individual interviews with 2 population segments established by the method of Krueger & Casey & Morgan. The population segments will be thyroid cancer patients who have had surg or have scheduled surg, & any pt-designated significant others who assisted pts with tx decision-making & thyroid cancer pts who chose to not have immediate surg, whether they are either postponing their tx decision until a later date, or have committed to active surveillance rather than surg, & any pt-designated significant others who assisted these patients with tx decision-making.

We'll conduct focus groups & individual interviews with 2 population segments established by the method of Krueger & Casey & Morgan. The population segments will be thyroid cancer pts who have had surg or have scheduled surg, & any pt-designated significant others who assisted patients with tx decision-making & thyroid cancer pts who chose to not have immediate surg, whether they are either postponing their tx decision until a later date, or have committed to active surveillance rather than surg, & any patient-designated significant others who assisted these pts with tx decision-making.