Dealing with chemotherapy-related symptoms at home: a qualitative study in adult patients with cancer.
Given that chemotherapy treatments are done mostly in an outpatient setting, patients with cancer must deal with treatment-related symptoms mainly at home. Evidence suggests that they often feel left alone or unprepared to do so. This qualitative study explores how patients deal with chemotherapy-related symptoms in their home, which factors and ideas influence their self-management and what role professional caregivers play. One-off, semi-structured interviews were held with 28 adult patients with cancer being treated with chemotherapy. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we cyclically collected and analysed data to come to a thorough understanding of the major conceptual themes and their interconnections. Dealing with chemotherapy-related symptoms involves a process of experiencing and learning how side effects unfold over time and how to deal with them. Patients express very personal symptom experiences and symptom-management styles, which are shaped by personal factors (e.g. coping with cancer and cancer treatment, perceived level of control) and environmental factors (e.g. professionals' attitude, information resources). Improving symptom self-management support requires active exploration of the personal symptom experience and symptom-management style. Professional care should be tailored to the patient's perspective and should address personal and environmental determinants of their behaviour.
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Oncology Nursing, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
A
A
Coolbrandt
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
B
B
Dierckx de Casterlé
Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
H
H
Wildiers
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Center for General Practice, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
B
B
Aertgeerts
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
E
E
Van der Elst
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
T
T
van Achterberg
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
K
K
Milisen
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
chemotherapy; grounded theory; qualitative research; self-management; symptoms