Jonathan S Abelson1, Alanna Chait2, Megan Johnson Shen3, Mary Charlson4, Anna Dickerman2, Heather Yeo5. 1. Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Electronic address: Jsa9004@med.cornell.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. 3. Department of Psychology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. 4. Department of Integrative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. 5. Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY; Department of Public Health, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Distress is common among cancer patients and leads to worse postoperative outcomes. Surgeons are often the first physicians to have in-depth conversations with patients about a new colorectal cancer diagnosis; therefore, it is important that these surgeons understand how patients cope with the distress of a diagnosis and how they can help patients manage this distress. METHODS: Patients with colorectal cancer were recruited from an outpatient surgery clinic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit patients if they were either planning to undergo surgery or had undergone surgery within six months. In-depth, open-ended, individual qualitative interviews were performed. Grounded theory was used to develop themes regarding patients' coping strategies and beliefs regarding the role of the surgeon in helping them cope. RESULTS: Patients described their own internal coping strategies using problem-focused, emotion-focused, and meaning-focused techniques. Patients also reported the importance of their social support network for coping. Patients believed surgeons and their teams should help patients manage the emotional components of their cancer diagnosis and surgical experience, especially if patients were experiencing high levels of distress or had inadequate coping skills. They did not believe surgeons themselves should be primarily responsible for helping them cope. CONCLUSION: In order for surgeons to guide diagnosis and initial management of distress in colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery, they should screen patients for distress, identify and strengthen patients' own coping strategies, facilitate a strong social support network, and provide patients with the option to obtain further support from the surgeon's office.
BACKGROUND: Distress is common among cancerpatients and leads to worse postoperative outcomes. Surgeons are often the first physicians to have in-depth conversations with patients about a new colorectal cancer diagnosis; therefore, it is important that these surgeons understand how patients cope with the distress of a diagnosis and how they can help patients manage this distress. METHODS:Patients with colorectal cancer were recruited from an outpatient surgery clinic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit patients if they were either planning to undergo surgery or had undergone surgery within six months. In-depth, open-ended, individual qualitative interviews were performed. Grounded theory was used to develop themes regarding patients' coping strategies and beliefs regarding the role of the surgeon in helping them cope. RESULTS:Patients described their own internal coping strategies using problem-focused, emotion-focused, and meaning-focused techniques. Patients also reported the importance of their social support network for coping. Patients believed surgeons and their teams should help patients manage the emotional components of their cancer diagnosis and surgical experience, especially if patients were experiencing high levels of distress or had inadequate coping skills. They did not believe surgeons themselves should be primarily responsible for helping them cope. CONCLUSION: In order for surgeons to guide diagnosis and initial management of distress in colorectal cancerpatients undergoing surgery, they should screen patients for distress, identify and strengthen patients' own coping strategies, facilitate a strong social support network, and provide patients with the option to obtain further support from the surgeon's office.
Authors: Loai Abu Sharour; Omar Al Omari; Malakeh Z Malak; Ayman Bani Salameh; Dalal Yehia; Maha Subih; Mohammad Alrshoud Journal: Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs Date: 2019-06-24
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