An exploratory study of the follow-up care needs of patients treated for colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To explore patient perceptions of their experiences of follow-up care after treatment for colorectal cancer.


BACKGROUND
The optimal follow-up strategy for colorectal cancer is not known, and although patients are seen in traditional outpatient follow-up clinics, this system may not meet psycho-social and information needs.


METHODS
An exploratory qualitative study.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 patients who had completed treatment for colorectal cancer. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.


RESULTS
One dominant theme emerged from the data with several sub-themes. The dominant theme was 'knowing what to expect' after bowel surgery. The subthemes related to 'living with altered bowel function', the ways patients gathered information about their condition through 'trial and error' and 'information and support from specialist nurses'. Patients who did not have a stoma were particularly vulnerable and expressed a need for more information on knowing what to expect after surgery. The role of the colorectal nurse specialist was vital in providing information and support; in particular, nurse-led clinics provided continuity of care and information that was tailored to individual need.


CONCLUSIONS
Traditional hospital follow-up does not always address patients' psycho-social and information needs. Nurse-led services were commented on favourably in terms of providing information that was tailored to individual need as well as being responsive to urgent patient concerns; future innovative strategies for providing follow-up care for patients with colorectal cancer should draw on the specialist knowledge and skills of these nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurse-led clinics and/or telephone follow-up by specialist nurses may be effective models of care for this particular patient group, providing appropriate access for meeting clinical, psycho-social and information needs.
School of Nursing & Caring Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. kbeaver@uclan.ac.uk
Kinta
K
Beaver
Saima
S
Latif
Susan
S
Williamson
Debbie
D
Procter
Janet
J
Sheridan
Jonathan
J
Heath
Shabbir
S
Susnerwala
Karen
K
Luker
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003125:Colostomy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic