"An arena for sharing": exploring the joint involvement of patients and their relatives in a cancer rehabilitation intervention study.
BACKGROUND
Despite an increasing focus on cancer rehabilitation programs, there is limited knowledge about the experiences of residential rehabilitation focusing on both the patients and their relatives.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the experienced benefits of the joint involvement of patients and their relatives in a 5-day residential cancer rehabilitation course, provided as part of a larger intervention study in Denmark.


METHODS
Ethnographic fieldwork, consisting of participant observations and informal conversations, was conducted with 20 individuals (10 patients and 10 relatives). In-depth interviews were conducted in the participants' homes 1 month after the rehabilitation course. Data were analyzed by a constant comparative method.


RESULTS
Residential rehabilitation course was identified to serve as an "arena for sharing," underpinned by 3 dimensions of sharing: sharing cancer experiences, sharing strategies, and sharing mutual care.


CONCLUSIONS
Sharing in residential rehabilitation is experienced as useful for cancer patients and their relatives, to validate cancer-related strategies and strengthen mutual understanding within relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
The results can guide the development of cancer rehabilitation to involve patients and their relatives and provide opportunity for sharing and empowerment on individual as well as couple and group levels.
Author Affiliations: Research Unit Health, Man and Society, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense (Drs la Cour and Hansen); and Section for Health Promotion and Health Services, Institute of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark (Dr Ledderer).
Karen
K
la Cour
Loni
L
Ledderer
Helle Ploug
HP
Hansen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends*; D003718:Denmark; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*