title: Patients' Experiences of Preparation for Radiation Therapy: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: To explore patients' experiences of and preferences for preparation for radiation therapy. .
  
  
  
  Qualitative study.  .
  
  
  
  26 individuals who recently received radiation therapy for cancer.  .
  
  
  
  One Australian radiation oncology clinic located within a tertiary referral hospital in New South Wales. .
  
  
  
  Semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on a qualitative descriptive approach and content analysis of the transcribed interviews. .
  
  
  
  Four main themes related to preparation techniques were identified.
  
  
  
  The information gained in this study indicates what strategies may best prepare patients for radiation therapy.  .
  
  
  
  Providing patients with information that creates a realistic expectation of what radiation therapy involves both before and after treatment seems particularly important in helping them feel prepared.
authors.affiliation: University of Newcastle.
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forshaw
authors.affiliation: University of Newcastle.
authors.forename: Alix E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: University of Newcastle.
authors.forename: Allison W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Boyes
authors.affiliation: University of Newcastle.
authors.forename: Mariko L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Calvary Mater Hospital.
authors.forename: Jarad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009517:New South Wales; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: Patient education; ethics ; informed consent issues; radiation