Health professionals’ perceptions of colorectal cancer patients’ treatment burden and their supportive work to ameliorate the burden – a qualitative study

Abstract

Background Support is pivotal for patients in managing colorectal cancer treatment, as they might be overwhelmed by the burden of treatment. There is scarce knowledge regarding health professionals’ perceptions of colorectal cancer patients’ burdens and supportive needs. The study aims to describe health professionals’ perspectives on treatment burden among patients receiving curative surgical treatment for colorectal cancer during the hospital stay and how they support patients to ameliorate the burden. Methods This study has a descriptive and explorative qualitative design, using semi-structured interviews with nine health professionals recruited from a gastrointestinal-surgery ward at a university hospital in Norway. Data were analysed by using systematic text condensation. Results Data analysis identified the themes “capturing patients’ burdens of colorectal cancer treatment” and “health professionals’ support to ameliorate the burden”. Patients with colorectal cancer had to face burdens related to a challenging emotional situation, treatment complications and side effects, and an extensive need for information. A trusting patient-carer relationship was therefore perceived as the essence of health professionals’ support. Health professionals focused their support on safeguarding patients, motivating patients to self-manage, and involving family and peers as supporters. Patients’ journey characteristics and illness severity challenged health professionals’ supportive work. Conclusion Support from health professionals includes providing patients emotional support and relevant treatment-related information and motivating patients for early post-surgical mobilisation. Health professionals should be aware of identifying colorectal cancer patients’ information needs according to the specific treatment stages, which may ameliorate the burden of colorectal cancer treatment and enable patients to self-manage.

The needs of colorectal cancer patients/survivors

“…These needs had a focus on diet,[ 11 15 20 23 26 27 28 30 ] drugs and supplements,[ 28 32 ] lifestyle modification and physical activity,[ 20 23 27 30 32 38 ] sexual function,[ 6 10 30 ] control and self-management of symptoms and side effects of treatment,[ 9 11 15 20 22 23 24 26 30 32 33 ] support groups, return to work, potential health insurance and legal issues,[ 15 ] financial matters and life and travel insurance. [ 9 ] Many articles stated that CRC patients/survivors need information about the risk of recurrence, metastasis, the possibility of recurrence treatment,[ 15 30 32 39 ] prevention methods and measures in case of suspected recurrence[ 9 15 ] , and reducing the risk of recurrence. [ 20 ]…”

Healthcare providers’ perspectives of the supportive care needs of women with advanced breast cancer in Ghana

“…The negative impact of cancer and its treatment on patients has been acknowledged by HCPs worldwide [10]. Earlier studies undertaken in Western developed countries have investigated HCPs' perspectives on supportive care needs of patients with advanced prostate cancer [18], colorectal cancer [19], cancer patients during oncology treatment [20], and their caregivers [21], and on the prevalence, barriers, and management of psychosocial issues in cancer care [22]. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the supportive care needs of women with advanced breast cancer from HCPs' perspective in Ghana.…”

Addressing colon cancer patients’ needs during follow-up consultations at the outpatient clinic: a multicenter qualitative observational study

“…Many patients experience persistent symptoms long after treatment completion [ 3 , 4 ] and contact both their oncology specialist and general practitioner (GP) with their questions and problems relating to colon cancer or its treatment [ 5 – 7 ]. Healthcare providers have different strategies for dealing with the repercussions of cancer and for attending to their patients’ needs [ 8 ].…”