Leila Mokhtari1, Abdollah Khorami Markani2, Hamid Reza Khalkhali3, Aram Feizi4. 1. Department of Nursing & Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. 2. Nursing Department, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran. 3. Patient Safety Research Center, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. 4. Patient Safety Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Orjhans Street, Resalat Blvd, 571478334, Urmia, Iran. aramfeizi@yahoo.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social support has an important role in improving health outcomes and is considered as one of the crucial aspects of the modern care in cancer patients. Therefore, this article aims to explain the perceived experiences of women suffering from breast cancer towards social support. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 22 women with breast cancer were selected through purposive sampling from 5 hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed by the Conventional Qualitative Content Analysis and Graneheim's and Lundman's approach, using MAXQDA software, version 10. RESULTS: After completion of the analyzing process, 6 categories were appeared including "creating an empathic atmosphere by family and community," "being in relationship with others," "adaption to disease," "giving meaning to life," "satisfaction with the role of healthcare providers," and "the impact of others support in fighting with the disease." CONCLUSION: According to the findings, good social support during the illness can result in the spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of the patients and is one of the most effective factors in fighting the disease and feeling of recovery. The findings of this study can be used to develop plans to help the patients to achieve more support from the family, healthcare providers, and the community and even providing the required supportive care for this group of women.
BACKGROUND: Social support has an important role in improving health outcomes and is considered as one of the crucial aspects of the modern care in cancer patients. Therefore, this article aims to explain the perceived experiences of women suffering from breast cancer towards social support. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 22 women with breast cancer were selected through purposive sampling from 5 hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed by the Conventional Qualitative Content Analysis and Graneheim's and Lundman's approach, using MAXQDA software, version 10. RESULTS: After completion of the analyzing process, 6 categories were appeared including "creating an empathic atmosphere by family and community," "being in relationship with others," "adaption to disease," "giving meaning to life," "satisfaction with the role of healthcare providers," and "the impact of others support in fighting with the disease." CONCLUSION: According to the findings, good social support during the illness can result in the spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of the patients and is one of the most effective factors in fighting the disease and feeling of recovery. The findings of this study can be used to develop plans to help the patients to achieve more support from the family, healthcare providers, and the community and even providing the required supportive care for this group of women.
Authors: Minna Salakari; Liisa Pylkkänen; Lauri Sillanmäki; Raija Nurminen; Päivi Rautava; Markku Koskenvuo; Sakari Suominen Journal: Breast Date: 2017-06-28 Impact factor: 4.380