Congress Abstracts 2005

65

PATIENTS EXPERIENCES OF RECEIVING RADIATION TREATMENT FOR HEAD & NECK CANCER: A QUALITATIVE STUDY. Maurene McQuestion, RN, BA, BScN, CON(C), MSc(c), Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Clinical experience reinforces that the diagnosis and treatment of a head and neck cancer has a major impact on patients. As a result of changes in radiation treatment protocols, increased use of combined modality treatments, and an increased emphasis on ambulatory care, the experience of care and treatment has changed for patients. The existence or lack of social support, financial support and effectiveness of symptom management can also have a significant impact. Nurses are in a unique position to support patients during this experience.

Most research in head and neck cancer has focused on the efficacy of treatment modalities and the assessment and management of side effects. Little attention has been directed toward understanding patients’ experience of receiving radiation treatment. This qualitative study helps describe and understand the experience of patients from their perspective.

Thorne’s (1997) approach of interpretive description was used for the study. Thorne supports a method of interpretive non-categorical description derived from nursing’s philosophical and theoretical foundations. This qualitative approach is grounded in an interpretive orientation and acknowledges, “human health and illness experiences are comprised of complex interactions between psychosocial and biological phenomena” (Thorne, 1997, p. 172).

Theoretical sample selection was used to recruit participants from a specialized cancer clinic. In-depth, audiotaped interviews were conducted with 17 participants, 3–4 months following treatment. A single post analysis focus group was held with 5 participants to share findings and verify that themes were reflective of the experience of the participants.

Giorgi’s analytical technique was used for analysis.

Five themes were identified including participants (1) experienced shock, worry, and a fear of dying as they attempted to make sense of their diagnosis, (2) felt a lack of control from disrupted expectations and changes in life routines, (3) had a heightened awareness of self, others and the health care system, (4) used multiple strategies to regain a sense of control, and (5) learning to live with an uncertain future. Strategies and interventions are being developed for patients as well as the health care team to better support future patients for the treatment experience.