Bird, J., Coleman, P. and Danson, S. (2015) Coping with melanoma-related worry: a qualitative study of the experiences and support needs of patients with malignant melanoma. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24 (7-8). pp. 937-947. ISSN 0962-1067
Abstract
Aims and objectives To explore the patients' experience of having malignant melanoma, their related support needs and the processes that lead to these needs being met.
Background The number of patients attending surveillance clinics after a diagnosis of malignant melanoma is increasing. In the UK specialist nurses provide support to patients, but little evidence exists about the nature of patients' support needs or their experience of having melanoma. Melanoma has often been researched within general cancer studies, yet the support needs of melanoma patients may be different from those of patients with other skin cancers or tumour types.
Design A Grounded Theory Approach was used to guide sampling, data collection and analysis.
Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven patients who where purposively sampled. Transcripts were read several times, coded and categorised using the constant comparative method. Emergent categories were discussed with participants.
Results Three emergent categories related to a core category of melanoma-related worry which formed a substantive theory about the strategies patients use to control this. Participants reported needing to have their concerns believed by others prior to and after diagnosis. They discussed discerning whom to share their concerns with depending upon who they felt would not perceive assisting them as being burdensome. They also sought ways to reassure themselves.
Conclusions Patients need to have their fear and worries acknowledged by others. This includes nurses, healthcare professionals and family members. Patients will also use self-examination and the absence of symptoms to reassure themselves.
Relevance to clinical practice Nurses play key roles throughout the patient's care; therefore they need to be sensitive to the fact that patients may consider them a primary source of support. When teaching self-examination it is important that nurses discuss that this may ease worry and aid coping.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Journal of Clinical Nursing. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | clinical nurse specialist; melanoma; supportive care |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > The Medical School (Sheffield) > Division of Genomic Medicine (Sheffield) > Department of Oncology and Metabolism (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Nursing and Midwifery (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Sheffield Teaching Hospitals |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 26 Jan 2016 11:47 |
Last Modified: | 09 Mar 2016 02:27 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12758 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/jocn.12758 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:88869 |