title: A theoretical framework to guide a study of patients' bowel symptoms and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer.
abstract: A paucity of research is available on patients' bowel symptom experiences and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. Most research undertaken to date on patients' bowel symptoms following surgery for rectal cancer has been largely atheoretical. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of choosing a theoretical framework to guide a study of patients' bowel symptoms and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. As a result of a thorough literature review, we determined that the Symptom Management Theory provided the most comprehensive framework to guide our research.
authors.affiliation: Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland. m.landers@ucc.ie
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landers
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Savage
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012648:Self Care
keywords: Bowel symptoms; Self-care strategies; Symptom management; Theoretical framework