Thyroid cancer: patients' experiences of receiving iodine-131 therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To enhance understanding of the experiences and educational needs of patients receiving iodine-131 (131I) therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer.


METHODS
Qualitative design using interpretive description.


METHODS
A 24-bed oncology/acute-care medical unit in a large tertiary hospital in western Canada.


METHODS
5 men and 22 women (18-80 years of age) who have received 131I therapy in the past two years.


METHODS
Unstructured focus group and telephone interviews and field notes. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis.


RESULTS
Researchers elicited four major themes from the analysis: (a) recognizing the totality of the cancer experience, (b) being isolated, (c) recognizing the totality of the treatment experience, and (d) understanding barriers to treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers require a better understanding of thyroid disease and the treatment and side effects of 131I therapy. Furthermore, educational programs are required to adequately prepare nurses and patients for future care.


CONCLUSIONS
A need exists to improve the care and education provided to patients receiving 131I therapy. In particular, recognition of the totality of the cancer experience and the need for both staff and patient education were illustrated. If nurses are to provide comprehensive cancer care, both psychosocial and physical needs must be addressed and fulfilling these needs requires a collaborative approach among patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Stajduhar
K I
KI
Capital Health Region, Victoria, British Columbia. kstajduhar@caphealth.org
Neithercut
J
J
Chu
E
E
Pham
P
P
Rohde
J
J
Sicotte
A
A
Young
K
K
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes