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Qualitative
Patient distress after radiotherapy to the head and neck was often hidden

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.2.3.94

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    Wells M.The hidden experience of radiotherapy to the head and neck: a qualitative study of patients after completion of treatment.J Adv Nurs1998 Oct; 28:840–8.OpenUrlPubMedWeb of Science

    Question What are the experiences of patients with head and neck cancer during the month after completion of radiotherapy?

    Design

    Naturalistic inquiry.

    Setting

    Oxford, UK.

    Patients

    12 patients who received radical radiotherapy to squamous cell cancers in the head and neck area during a 4 month period.

    Methods

    After patients completed a course of radiotherapy, they were given diaries to record important events and feelings. Approximately 1 month after the completion of radiotherapy, indepth interviews were held in patients' homes. At the end of the interviews, patients were presented with a series of symptom cards. These were intended to prompt patient discussion of symptoms that might not have been addressed and provide opportunities for discussion of sensitive topics (eg, problems with kissing).

    Main findings

    The distress experienced by patients during the month after radiotherapy was often hidden. Patients downplayed their experience, and many showed resignation or …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: no external funding

    • For correspondence: Mary Wells, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK. Fax (0)1382 496232.