A systematic review on the qualitative experiences of people living with lung cancer in rural areas

Nabilah Ali; David Nelson; Daisy McInnerney; Samantha L Quaife; Despina Laparidou; Peter Selby; Ros Kane; Sarah Civello; Dawn Skinner; Zara Pogson; Michael D Peake; Ava Harding-Bell; Samuel Cooke

doi:10.1007/s00520-024-08342-4

A systematic review on the qualitative experiences of people living with lung cancer in rural areas

Support Care Cancer. 2024 Feb 6;32(3):144. doi: 10.1007/s00520-024-08342-4.

Authors

Nabilah Ali¹, David Nelson^{2

3}, Daisy McInnerney⁴, Samantha L Quaife⁴, Despina Laparidou⁵, Peter Selby^{1

6}, Ros Kane⁷, Sarah Civello⁸, Dawn Skinner⁹, Zara Pogson⁸, Michael D Peake^{10

11}, Ava Harding-Bell¹², Samuel Cooke¹³

Affiliations

¹ Lincoln Medical School, College of Health and Science, Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
² College of Health and Science, Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
³ Macmillan Cancer Support, London, SE1 7UQ, UK.
⁴ Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
⁵ Community and Health Research Unit, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
⁶ School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
⁷ School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
⁸ Lincoln County Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lincoln, LN2 5QY, UK.
⁹ Pilgrim Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston, PE21 9QS, UK.
¹⁰ Cancer Research UK, London, E20 1JQ, UK.
¹¹ Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
¹² Swineshead Patient Participation Group, Swineshead Medical Group, Boston, PE20 3JE, UK.
¹³ College of Health and Science, Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK. scooke@lincoln.ac.uk.

Abstract

Purpose: To synthesize the qualitative literature exploring the experiences of people living with lung cancer in rural areas.

Methods: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Articles were screened independently by two reviewers against pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data were synthesized using Thomas and Harden's framework for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research. The CASP qualitative checklist was used for quality assessment and the review was reported in accordance with the ENTREQ and PRISMA checklists.

Results: Nine articles were included, from which five themes were identified: (1) diagnosis and treatment pathways, (2) travel and financial burden, (3) communication and information, (4) experiences of interacting with healthcare professionals, (5) symptoms and health-seeking behaviors. Lung cancer diagnosis was unexpected for some with several reporting treatment delays and long wait times regarding diagnosis and treatment. Accessing treatment was perceived as challenging and time-consuming due to distance and financial stress. Inadequate communication of information from healthcare professionals was a common concern expressed by rural people living with lung cancer who also conveyed dissatisfaction with their healthcare professionals. Some were reluctant to seek help due to geographical distance and sociocultural factors whilst others found it challenging to identify symptoms due to comorbidities.

Conclusions: This review provides a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with lung cancer in rural settings, through which future researchers can begin to develop tailored support to address the existing disparities that affect this population.

Keywords: Experiences; Lung cancer; Qualitative research; Rural health; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Emotions
Health Personnel
Humans
Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
Qualitative Research
Rural Population

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

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