TY - JOUR
T1 - A qualitative study of the post-treatment experiences and support needs of survivors of lymphoma
AU - Monterosso, Leanne
AU - Taylor, Karen
AU - Platt, Violet
AU - Lobb, Elizabeth
AU - Krishnasamy, Meinir
AU - Musiello, Toni
AU - Bulsara, Caroline
AU - Stratton, Kendall
AU - Joske, David
PY - 2017/6/1
Y1 - 2017/6/1
N2 - Purpose To explore the post-treatment experiences and preferences for follow-up support of lymphoma survivors. Methods Two focus groups were conducted with 17 participants to explore informational, psychological, emotional, social, practical and physical needs, 6–30 months post-treatment for lymphoma. Perceptions regarding a potential model of survivorship care were also elicited. Results Thematic content analysis revealed five key themes: Information; Loss and uncertainty; Family, support and post-treatment experience; Transition, connectivity and normalcy, and Person-centred post-treatment care. Participants described a sense of loss as they transitioned away from regular interaction with the hospital at the end of treatment, but also talked about the need to find a “new normal”. Establishing post-treatment support structures that can provide individualised information, support, reassurance and referrals to community and peer support were identified as a helpful way to navigate the transition from patient to post-treatment survivor. Conclusions Participants in our study articulated a need for a flexible approach to survivorship care, providing opportunities for individuals to access different types of support at different times post-treatment. Specialist post-treatment nurse care coordinators working across acute and community settings may offer one effective model of post-treatment support for survivors of haematological malignancies. © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
AB - Purpose To explore the post-treatment experiences and preferences for follow-up support of lymphoma survivors. Methods Two focus groups were conducted with 17 participants to explore informational, psychological, emotional, social, practical and physical needs, 6–30 months post-treatment for lymphoma. Perceptions regarding a potential model of survivorship care were also elicited. Results Thematic content analysis revealed five key themes: Information; Loss and uncertainty; Family, support and post-treatment experience; Transition, connectivity and normalcy, and Person-centred post-treatment care. Participants described a sense of loss as they transitioned away from regular interaction with the hospital at the end of treatment, but also talked about the need to find a “new normal”. Establishing post-treatment support structures that can provide individualised information, support, reassurance and referrals to community and peer support were identified as a helpful way to navigate the transition from patient to post-treatment survivor. Conclusions Participants in our study articulated a need for a flexible approach to survivorship care, providing opportunities for individuals to access different types of support at different times post-treatment. Specialist post-treatment nurse care coordinators working across acute and community settings may offer one effective model of post-treatment support for survivors of haematological malignancies. © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
KW - Focus groups
KW - Lymphoma
KW - Survivorship
KW - Unmet needs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85016156618&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2017.03.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2017.03.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 28478857
AN - SCOPUS:85016156618
SN - 1462-3889
VL - 28
SP - 62
EP - 68
JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
ER -