The experience of partners supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer

J Adv Nurs. 2019 Nov;75(11):2890-2898. doi: 10.1111/jan.14125. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Abstract

Aims: In a larger study where the aim was to investigate choice and control in decision making, the role of partners was significant. Reported here are the experiences of those partners of young people with cancer.

Design: A qualitative, exploratory case study approach was used.

Methods: In the larger study, 22 participants were recruited including five adolescents and young adults with cancer, two sets of parents/carers and three individual parents, five healthcare professionals linked to the adolescent or young adult with cancer and five friends or partners. Data were collected between February 2014 and February 2015 and included interviews, non-participant observation and documentary analysis.

Results: Three themes were identified relating to partner experience derived from partner and patient interview data: "practical support", "putting your partner first" and "acting as a confidante/ally".

Conclusion: These findings reveal new knowledge of partner experience when adolescents and young adults have cancer. Richer in-depth understandings of partner experience are required to improve the care of adolescents and young adults with cancer and those around them.

Impact: These findings will inform the development of guidance and further research which will enhance the knowledge of partner experience for those involved in cancer care in the adolescent and young adult age group.

目的: 研究的主要目的是研究决策中的选择和控制,服务者在决策中起很大作用。研究主要内容是患癌青年服务者的经历。 设计: 研究使用定性,案例探索研究方法。 方法: 研究参与者共有22位,包括5位患癌青少年和青年、两对父母/照顾者和3 位离异父母、5位患癌青少年和青年分别的健康护理专家和5位朋友。数据收集始于2014年2月到2015年2月截止,收集数据包括采访、局外观察、纪录片分析。 结果: 从服务者和病人采访数据中得出三类主题的服务患癌青少年和青年经历:“实际服务”“以服务者为第一位”“作为知己或盟友” 结论: 研究发现服务患癌青少年和青年的新经历。要提高对患癌青少年和青年的服务,首先需要对这些服务患癌青少年和青年的经历有深刻的丰富的理解。 影响: 这一发现将会促进指导政策的发展和更深入的研究,进一步促进人们对服务患癌青少年和青年经历的理解。.

Keywords: adolescent; cancer; experience; nursing; partner; relationships; support; young adult.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Female
  • Friends / psychology*
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / nursing*
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Wales
  • Young Adult

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