Elisa Dri1, Valentina Bressan2, Lucia Cadorin3, Simone Stevanin4, Giampiera Bulfone5, Antonio Rizzuto6, Ghirotto Luca7. 1. School of Nursing, Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Udine University, Viale Ungheria 20, 33100, Udine, Italy. 2. School of Nursing, Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Udine University, Viale Ungheria 20, 33100, Udine, Italy. breva05@gmail.com. 3. Continuing Education Centre, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081, Aviano, Italy. 4. Agency for Health and Social Care, Veneto Region, Palazzo Molin, San Polo 2514, 30125, Venice, Italy. 5. University of Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy. 6. Department of ENT, University Hospital of Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria della Misericordia, 15, 33100, Udine, Italy. 7. Direzione Scientifica, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Umberto I°, 50, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer is recognized as a family illness as many head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment require assistance from a family caregiver throughout the rest of their life. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of primary family caregivers of HNC patients dealing with laryngectomy regarding their complex supportive role. METHODS: Phenomenological study based on individual interviews of twelve primary caregivers of HNC patients, recruited by purposeful sampling. Interview contents were analyzed in depth, in accordance with Colaizzi's descriptive analysis framework, to explore and identify significant themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Analysis evidenced three main topics and subthemes embracing various aspects of the caregiver's lived experiences: (1) experiencing disease and the pathway of care, (2) handling changes to everyday life, and (3) support received by others. CONCLUSION: Given the essential role the caregiver has in the patient's post-treatment recovery, future planning of HNC patient care must consider the caregivers' needs. In order to guarantee an appropriate and effective health professional care, it is important to consider caregivers' issues and needs as part of HNC patient care planning from the diagnosis to the follow-up.
BACKGROUND:Cancer is recognized as a family illness as many head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment require assistance from a family caregiver throughout the rest of their life. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of primary family caregivers of HNC patients dealing with laryngectomy regarding their complex supportive role. METHODS: Phenomenological study based on individual interviews of twelve primary caregivers of HNC patients, recruited by purposeful sampling. Interview contents were analyzed in depth, in accordance with Colaizzi's descriptive analysis framework, to explore and identify significant themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Analysis evidenced three main topics and subthemes embracing various aspects of the caregiver's lived experiences: (1) experiencing disease and the pathway of care, (2) handling changes to everyday life, and (3) support received by others. CONCLUSION: Given the essential role the caregiver has in the patient's post-treatment recovery, future planning of HNC patient care must consider the caregivers' needs. In order to guarantee an appropriate and effective health professional care, it is important to consider caregivers' issues and needs as part of HNC patient care planning from the diagnosis to the follow-up.
Entities:
Keywords:
Caregiver; Head and neck cancer; Life experience; Needs; Oncology; Survivorship
Authors: Gemma Gatta; Laura Botta; María José Sánchez; Lesley Ann Anderson; Daniela Pierannunzio; Lisa Licitra Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2015-09-26 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: Donna M Posluszny; Angela Liegey Dougall; Jonas T Johnson; Athanassios Argiris; Robert L Ferris; Andrew Baum; Dana H Bovbjerg; Mary Amanda Dew Journal: Head Neck Date: 2014-09-17 Impact factor: 3.147
Authors: Kohei Kajiwara; Jun Kako; Hiroko Noto; Yasufumi Oosono; Masamitsu Kobayashi Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-09-07 Impact factor: 3.603