Symptom burden: a concept analysis and implications for oncology nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the concept of symptom burden and discuss implications for symptom research and symptom management.


METHODS
MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Reviews, and published literature.


RESULTS
Through Rodgers's evolutionary method of concept analysis, attributes of symptom burden were identified as dynamic, multidimensional, quantifiable, subjective, and physiologic. The major antecedent was multiple symptoms related to worsening disease status. Consequences of symptom burden included decreased survival, poor prognosis, delay or termination of treatment, increased hospitalizations and medical costs, decreased functional status, and lowered self-reported quality of life. Symptom burden is defined as the subjective, quantifiable prevalence, frequency, and severity of symptoms placing a physiologic burden on patients and producing multiple negative, physical, and emotional patient responses.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptom burden is an important concept in the symptoms experience, separate from symptom distress and other related terms. The continued differentiation of symptom concepts is important for sound methodologic research and meaningful interventions that affect and improve patient experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
Clarifying multiple symptom concepts in the symptoms experience, determining appropriate measurement methodologies for the concepts, and identifying appropriate strategies will lessen the burden of symptoms and contribute to improved quality of life and better patient outcomes.
Gapstur
Roxanna L
RL
Methodist Hospital, Park Nicollet Health Services, St. Louis Park, MN, USA. roxanna.gapstur@parknicollet.com
D017281:Cost of Illness; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life; D009626:Terminology as Topic