Marianne Boll Kristensen1,2,3, Tina Broby Mikkelsen4, Anne Marie Beck5,6, Ann-Dorthe Zwisler4, Irene Wessel7, Karin B Dieperink4,8,9. 1. Department of Nursing and Nutrition, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark. mabk@kp.dk. 2. REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital and Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Vestergade 17, 5800, Nyborg, Denmark. mabk@kp.dk. 3. OPEN, Odense Patient data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9A, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. mabk@kp.dk. 4. REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital and Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Vestergade 17, 5800, Nyborg, Denmark. 5. Department of Nursing and Nutrition, University College Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark. 6. Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 50, 4, 2730, Herlev, Denmark. 7. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. 8. Research Unit of Oncology, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. 9. Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19.3, 5000, Odense C, Denmark.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to explore head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors' experiences of everyday life with eating problems after cancer treatment and (2) to explore their experiences of participating in a multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation program with a primary focus on physical, psychological, and social aspects of eating problems after treatment. METHODS: Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 40 Danish HNC survivors who participated in a 5-day residential rehabilitation program with follow-up after 3 months. The transcribed interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Physical nutrition impact symptoms and unmet needs for support were frequent. Participants experienced a feeling of loss due to impaired eating abilities. Eating had become an obligation or a training situation, and the eating problems challenged the relationship with their relatives when well-meaning encouragement was perceived as a pressure. Social eating was a challenge, and this often led to social withdrawal. The residential program was a safe and supportive environment to practice eating skills, and participants benefited from meeting peers. The program provided participants with knowledge and skills that many of them had been missing during and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Eating problems after treatment have substantial effects on the everyday life of HNC survivors. A multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation program may be beneficial to meet their rehabilitation needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The results are useful for future planning of rehabilitation services and clinical studies that may contribute to improving current clinical practice and benefit HNC survivors.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to explore head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors' experiences of everyday life with eating problems after cancer treatment and (2) to explore their experiences of participating in a multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation program with a primary focus on physical, psychological, and social aspects of eating problems after treatment. METHODS: Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 40 Danish HNC survivors who participated in a 5-day residential rehabilitation program with follow-up after 3 months. The transcribed interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Physical nutrition impact symptoms and unmet needs for support were frequent. Participants experienced a feeling of loss due to impaired eating abilities. Eating had become an obligation or a training situation, and the eating problems challenged the relationship with their relatives when well-meaning encouragement was perceived as a pressure. Social eating was a challenge, and this often led to social withdrawal. The residential program was a safe and supportive environment to practice eating skills, and participants benefited from meeting peers. The program provided participants with knowledge and skills that many of them had been missing during and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Eating problems after treatment have substantial effects on the everyday life of HNC survivors. A multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation program may be beneficial to meet their rehabilitation needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The results are useful for future planning of rehabilitation services and clinical studies that may contribute to improving current clinical practice and benefit HNC survivors.
Entities:
Keywords:
Eating problems; Head and neck cancer; Nutrition impact symptoms; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Survivorship
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