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Dealing with chemotherapy‐related symptoms at home: a qualitative study in adult patients with cancer
Author(s) -
Coolbrandt A.,
Dierckx de Casterlé B.,
Wildiers H.,
Aertgeerts B.,
Van der Elst E.,
Achterberg T.,
Milisen K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12303
Subject(s) - medicine , coping (psychology) , qualitative research , perspective (graphical) , grounded theory , cancer chemotherapy , cancer treatment , cancer , family medicine , nursing , psychiatry , social science , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Given that chemotherapy treatments are done mostly in an outpatient setting, patients with cancer must deal with treatment‐related symptoms mainly at home. Evidence suggests that they often feel left alone or unprepared to do so. This qualitative study explores how patients deal with chemotherapy‐related symptoms in their home, which factors and ideas influence their self‐management and what role professional caregivers play. One‐off, semi‐structured interviews were held with 28 adult patients with cancer being treated with chemotherapy. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we cyclically collected and analysed data to come to a thorough understanding of the major conceptual themes and their interconnections. Dealing with chemotherapy‐related symptoms involves a process of experiencing and learning how side effects unfold over time and how to deal with them. Patients express very personal symptom experiences and symptom‐management styles, which are shaped by personal factors (e.g. coping with cancer and cancer treatment, perceived level of control) and environmental factors (e.g. professionals' attitude, information resources). Improving symptom self‐management support requires active exploration of the personal symptom experience and symptom‐management style. Professional care should be tailored to the patient's perspective and should address personal and environmental determinants of their behaviour.