Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Radiation Oncology, Central Alberta Cancer Centre, Red Deer, AB, Canada.
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2020 Dec;51(4S):S72-S77. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2020.08.008. Epub 2020 Sep 6.
As the number of women surviving breast cancer grows, it becomes increasingly important to investigate their unique psychosocial and physical needs in the post-treatment period. The period of transition from patient to survivor is a time fraught with physical and emotional challenges. This qualitative study was conducted to gain insight into the perspective of breast cancer patients transitioning to survivorship after receiving RT in Alberta.
Ten patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer in Alberta participated in an open-ended telephone interview two to three weeks following the cessation of treatment. The data was analyzed using a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach. Data was clustered and categorized, and emerging themes were examined.
Though participants reported to be satisfied with the care and information they received, a need for more robust and detailed skin care education was identified. Patients expressed a sense of anxiety around returning to normalcy following RT, and described feeling lonely, and unsure of themselves in the post-treatment period. A post-treatment phone call may allow Radiation Therapists (RTTs) to mitigate the ongoing needs of patients in the period between their last day of treatment and their first follow-up visit.
This project has given us an opportunity to hear the voice of the patient, thus laying the groundwork to allow for a more patient-centred approach to the transition of care following RT. The data gathered suggests possible areas for development of interventions and supports for breast cancer patients as they transition into survivorship.
随着乳腺癌幸存者人数的增加，调查她们在治疗后时期的独特心理社会和身体需求变得越来越重要。从患者过渡到幸存者的时期充满了身体和情感上的挑战。本 qualitative 研究旨在深入了解艾伯塔省接受放射治疗（RT）后过渡到生存者的乳腺癌患者的观点。
艾伯塔省的 10 名接受乳腺癌放射治疗（RT）的患者在治疗结束后两到三周通过开放式电话访谈参与了研究。使用定性解释现象学方法分析数据。对数据进行聚类和分类，并检查出现的主题。
尽管参与者报告对他们接受的护理和信息感到满意，但确定需要更强大和详细的皮肤护理教育。患者表示在 RT 后恢复正常生活感到焦虑，并描述了在治疗后期间感到孤独和不确定自己的感受。治疗结束后的电话可能使放射治疗师（RTT）能够减轻患者在最后一天治疗和第一次随访之间的持续需求。
该项目使我们有机会听到患者的声音，从而为 RT 后护理过渡提供以患者为中心的方法奠定基础。收集的数据表明，在乳腺癌患者过渡到生存者时，可能需要开发干预措施和支持的领域。
