Family Support: A Caregiver Experience in Caring for Nasopharynx Cancer Patients in Yogyakarta

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Increasing the incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer causes an increase mortality in sufferers. Family support is an important aspect of the treatment of patients that very helpful to strengthen psychologically and make patients more enthusiastic about undergoing treatment. Patients who have high enthusiasm will improve their quality of life so that family support is needed in treating patients. AIM: This study aims to explore family experiences in providing support in the care of nasopharyngeal cancer patients in Yogyakarta. METHODS: This research uses qualitative method with phenomenological approach. Data collected through in-depth interviews. Informants in this study amounted to 12 people consisting of patients and families determined by purposive sampling. This research was conducted in Sleman Regency from January to April 2019. Data validity uses source triangulation, member checking, and peer debriefing. Analysis of the data in this study using the help of OpenCode 4.02 software. RESULTS: The results showed that the treatment of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer was influenced by several factors, namely, family perceptions in caring for patients, family knowledge about the disease, and family information sources. These factors will affect the family process in providing care to patients including family support, family communication, and medication that have been undertaken. Family support is provided in the care of nasopharyngeal cancer patients in the form of emotional, informational, instrumental, appreciation, and spiritual support. In addition, in carrying out patient care, there are several obstacles, namely, transportation, administrative, and financial obstacles. CONCLUSION: The family is expected to always provide support to patients in the form of emotional support, informational, instrumental, and appreciation as well as spiritual support for the success of treatment of the patient.

Family Caregivers’ Experiences of Caring for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

“…Four studies explored the overall experience of caring HNC patients 11 , 13 , 17 , 36 ; 3 explored how carers experienced patients’ condition 40 , 43 , 44 ; 4 studies explored caring experiences of patients with dysphagia, 9 , 38 , 39 , 41 and 1 focused only on patients with no tube feeding 39 ; 4 explored support needs or difficulties 14 , 25 , 37 , 42 ; 1 explored the commuting experience 15 ; 1 explored carers’ triggers of emotional distress 22 ; 1 explored the financial impacts 34 ; 1 explored the psychosocial impacts 35 ; and 1 explored the experiences in providing support. 45 Other details of the included studies are listed in Table 3 .…”

“… 34 Flexible work arrangements, fundraising, and social welfare systems were mentioned to mitigate these impacts. Goswami et al 35 explored the psychosocial impacts of oral cancer on caregivers’ physical health, lifestyle, emotion, relationship, finance, and work; Waliyanti and Primastuti 45 identified the significance of providing support in regard to emotional, informational, instrumental, and spiritual aspects and appreciation.…”

“…The final construction of themes was determined by a reached consensus of authors. This data synthesis process preserves the 9 Dri et al (2020), 11 Halkett et al (2020), 13 Balfe et al (2017), 14 Balfe et al (2017), 15 Fronczek (2015), 17 Balfe et al (2016), 22 Badr et al (2016), 25 Balfe et al (2016), 34 Goswami, Gupta and Raut (2019), 35 Kitrungrote et al (2008), 36 Liang et al (2019), 37 Mayre-Chilton et al (2011), 38 Nund et al (2014), 39 Nund et al (2015), 40 Schaller et al (2014) 44 Minor 9 Dri et al (2020), 11 Halkett et al (2020), 13 Balfe et al (2017), 15 Fronczek (2015), 17 Balfe et al (2016), 22 Badr et al (2016), 25 Balfe et al (2016), 34 Goswami, Gupta and Raut (2019), 35 Kitrungrote et al (2008), 36 Liang et al (2019), 37 Mayre-Chilton et al (2011), 38 Nund et al (2014), 39 Nund et al (2015), 40 Penner et al (2012), 41 Röing et al (2008), 43 Schaller et al (2014), 44 Waliyanti and Primastuti (2021) 45 Minor…”

“…Four studies explored the overall experience of caring HNC patients 11,13,17,36 ; 3 explored how carers experienced patients' condition 40,43,44 ; 4 studies explored caring experiences of patients with dysphagia, 9,38,39,41 and 1 focused only on patients with no tube feeding 39 ; 4 explored support needs or difficulties 14,25,37,42 ; 1 explored the commuting experience 15 ; 1 explored carers' triggers 9 Dri et al (2020), 11 Balfe et al (2017), 14 Balfe et al (2017), 15 Fronczek (2015), 17 Badr et al (2016), 25 Balfe et al (2016), 34 Goswami, Gupta and Raut (2019), 35 Liang et al (2019), 37 Mayre-Chilton et al (2011), 38 Nund et al (2014), 39 Nund et al (2015), 40 Richardson et al (2015), 42 Schaller et al (2014), 44 Waliyanti and Primastuti (2021) 45 Minor…”

“…of emotional distress 22 ; 1 explored the financial impacts 34 ; 1 explored the psychosocial impacts 35 ; and 1 explored the experiences in providing support. 45 Other details of the included studies are listed in Table 3.…”