Perceived benefits and barriers to health behaviors after transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a qualitative study based on the health belief model

The study examined perceived benefits and barriers to health behaviors in 15 liver cancer patients after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) at a Chinese hospital. Using semistructured interviews and data analysis, five main themes were identified: physical barriers including postoperative symptoms and decreased physical tolerance, psychological barriers such as feelings of helplessness and emotional overwhelm, social barriers including insufficient caregiver accessibility and financial burden, informational-cognitive gaps regarding treatment efficacy and health education, and perceived rehabilitation benefits. The research showed that patients experience multidimensional trade-offs between benefits and barriers to health behavior implementation. Healthcare professionals should develop targeted intervention strategies in the early postoperative period to help patients improve their physical and psychological well-being and establish a foundation for long-term treatment adherence.