BACKGROUND: The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe the patient's experiences as they reintegrate into the community following laryngectomy surgery and identify their perceived support and barriers within this transition. METHODS: Using Thorne's interpretive descriptive approach, purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants from two large urban hospitals. In-depth, audio-taped interviews were conducted with nine participants 6-12 months following surgery. RESULTS: Enveloped under an overarching theme of a "Constant Accommodation to Life with a Laryngectomy," were three main themes: (1) "Impact of Cancer Diagnosis," (2) "Coping with Illness: Trying to Live Life like Before," and (3) "Transitions in Recovery." Subthemes further illuminated the constant accommodation participants had to make following cancer recurrence, surgery, and returning home. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with laryngectomies face major changes in lifestyle related to altered airway, loss of voice, body image concerns, and challenges with eating. Support of family, friends, and health care professionals is critical for successful transition during this stressful period. Instant messaging, email, Web-based support groups, and video messaging can contribute to a great improvement in communication and engagement for this population.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe the patient's experiences as they reintegrate into the community following laryngectomy surgery and identify their perceived support and barriers within this transition. METHODS: Using Thorne's interpretive descriptive approach, purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants from two large urban hospitals. In-depth, audio-taped interviews were conducted with nine participants 6-12 months following surgery. RESULTS: Enveloped under an overarching theme of a "Constant Accommodation to Life with a Laryngectomy," were three main themes: (1) "Impact of Cancer Diagnosis," (2) "Coping with Illness: Trying to Live Life like Before," and (3) "Transitions in Recovery." Subthemes further illuminated the constant accommodation participants had to make following cancer recurrence, surgery, and returning home. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with laryngectomies face major changes in lifestyle related to altered airway, loss of voice, body image concerns, and challenges with eating. Support of family, friends, and health care professionals is critical for successful transition during this stressful period. Instant messaging, email, Web-based support groups, and video messaging can contribute to a great improvement in communication and engagement for this population.
Authors: Anna M Sawka; David P Goldstein; James D Brierley; Richard W Tsang; Lorne Rotstein; Shereen Ezzat; Sharon Straus; Susan R George; Susan Abbey; Gary Rodin; Mary Ann O'Brien; Amiram Gafni; Lehana Thabane; Jeannette Goguen; Asima Naeem; Lilian Magalhaes Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-01-14 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: M Alvarez-Camacho; S Gonella; S Ghosh; C Kubrak; R A Scrimger; K P Chu; W V Wismer Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2015-11-20 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Cornelia F van Uden-Kraan; Femke Jansen; Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte; Simone E J Eerenstein; C René Leemans; Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-04-16 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Ingrid C Cnossen; Cornelia F van Uden-Kraan; Simone E J Eerenstein; Femke Jansen; Birgit I Witte; Martin Lacko; José A Hardillo; Jimmie Honings; Gyorgy B Halmos; Noortje L Q Goedhart-Schwandt; Remco de Bree; C René Leemans; Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-08-26 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Thomas Moors; Sanjeev Silva; Donatella Maraschin; David Young; John M Quinn; John de Carpentier; Johan Allouche; Evangelos Himonides Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2020-01-14
Authors: Klaske E van Sluis; Anne F Kornman; Lisette van der Molen; Michiel W M van den Brekel; Gili Yaron Journal: Int J Lang Commun Disord Date: 2019-11-01 Impact factor: 3.020