Symptom experience.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of symptom experience, symptom occurrence, and symptom distress.


METHODS
Published articles relating to the symptom experience, symptom occurrence, and symptom distress of patients with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptom experience must include both the occurrence and distress associated with the symptom. To adequately assess symptom experience, obtaining information from patient about the occurrence and distress of the symptom experience is essential.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses and other health care professionals can perform an essential role in the identification and management of symptom experience, thereby improving patient quality of life.
McDaniel
R W
RW
Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211, USA.
Rhodes
V A
VA
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing