PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' experiences of and preferences for preparation for radiation therapy. . RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative study. . PARTICIPANTS: 26 individuals who recently received radiation therapy for cancer. . SETTING: One Australian radiation oncology clinic located within a tertiary referral hospital in New South Wales. . METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on a qualitative descriptive approach and content analysis of the transcribed interviews. . FINDINGS: Four main themes related to preparation techniques were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The information gained in this study indicates what strategies may best prepare patients for radiation therapy. . INTERPRETATION: 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.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' experiences of and preferences for preparation for radiation therapy. . RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative study. . PARTICIPANTS: 26 individuals who recently received radiation therapy for cancer. . SETTING: One Australian radiation oncology clinic located within a tertiary referral hospital in New South Wales. . METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on a qualitative descriptive approach and content analysis of the transcribed interviews. . FINDINGS: Four main themes related to preparation techniques were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The information gained in this study indicates what strategies may best prepare patients for radiation therapy. . INTERPRETATION: 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.