A qualitative study of the experiences during radiotherapy of Swedish patients suffering from lung cancer.

• Purpose/Objectives: To describe experiences during radiotherapy of patients suffering from lung cancer. Design: Inductive, qualitative. Setting: A radiotherapy department in the south of Sweden. Sample: 15 patients with lung cancer undergoing their second week of radiotherapy. Methodologic Approach: Interviews were conducted in a hospital setting, transcribed, and content analyzed. Main Research Variables: Experiences during radiotherapy. Findings: The patients' experiences fall into four categories: fatigue, physical distress, managing disease- and treatment-related issues, and obstacles to managing. Fatigue was a major experience expressed in terms of low energy levels and low fitness, sometimes leading to social isolation. Conclusions: Nurses need to implement interventions to minimize side effects of radiotherapy and maximize patients' abilities to manage the disease and the treatment. Interpretation: Informing and educating patients about pretreatment and assessing fatigue as well as implementing interventions (e.g., nurse-patient interaction, support, information, encouragement, focus on the patients' own resources) may lead to improved comprehensive care during radiation therapy.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

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