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Going the distance—Experiences of women with gynaecological cancer residing in rural remote north Queensland
Author(s) -
Baldwin Adele E,
Usher Kim
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-172x.2008.00705.x
Subject(s) - qualitative research , lived experience , rural area , face (sociological concept) , medicine , rural health , interpretative phenomenological analysis , nursing , family medicine , sociology , psychology , psychotherapist , social science , pathology
Women who are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer face a difficult journey. For women residing in areas geographically removed from major health providers the journey can be much more difficult. While they ‘make do’ and ‘struggle on’, their lived experiences can provide valuable insight into the complex issues surrounding a cancer diagnosis in rural areas. This study aimed to understand their experiences through the women's stories and sought to identify the major themes impacting on these stories. This qualitative phenomenological study undertook interviews with seven women with gynaecological cancer who reside in rural and remote north Queensland. Analysis of the data collected revealed three themes: seeking answers at a distance; sharing information within a small community; and experiences of navigating the health system. The results show the inherent difficulties in accessing support in rural areas and the difficulties associated with travelling considerable distances to undergo treatment.