Open AccessA consultation with Canadian rural women with breast cancer
Author(s) -
Gray Ross E.,
James Pamela,
Manthorne Jackie,
Gould Judy,
Fitch Margaret I.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1046/j.1369-6513.2003.00248.x
Subject(s) - focus group , breast cancer , feeling , qualitative research , coping (psychology) , nursing , work (physics) , health care , rural area , information needs , medicine , family medicine , public relations , psychology , medical education , economic growth , political science , business , cancer , sociology , marketing , social psychology , library science , psychiatry , social science , mechanical engineering , pathology , computer science , engineering , economics
Objective Relatively little research has been carried out on the health and supportive care needs of rural women living with breast cancer. In this study, results from a Canadian focus group study are used to highlight issues of importance to rural women. Setting and participants A total of 276 rural women with breast cancer divided into 17 focus groups participated in the study conducted across Canada. A standardized protocol for discussion was employed. Issues of access to information, support and services were discussed, with women describing their experiences in trying to find appropriate programmes and services. Main results The major theme identified through analysis of qualitative data was ‘becoming aware of and/or gaining access to health care information, support and services.’ Other major themes included: (1) dealing with isolation; (2) having to travel; (3) feeling the financial burden and (4) coping with changing work. Conclusions Rural women with breast cancer have supportive care challenges related to their circumstances. A series of recommendations were generated through the consultation process which are contributing to the development of a national strategy focusing on the development and extension of programmes for rural women with breast cancer. Although the research on the project was not to specified standards, and suffered from less attention than community capacity building and advocacy, it proved to be of worth and revealed potential benefits from collaborations between researchers and community organizations.