Development of a Symptom Management Intervention: Qualitative Feedback From Advanced Lung Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers.
Catherine E Mosher, Mary A Ott, Nasser Hanna and 2 others
PMID 26925990WHAT IT FOUND
Advanced lung cancer patients and caregivers wanted a flexible telephone symptom program with education about side effects, many coping tools, and equal attention to caregiver needs.
Some asked to remove negative illness content.
Key findings
01Patients and caregivers preferred education about treatment side effects, a range of coping tools, flexible activity pacing, shorter or flexible sessions, and telephone delivery.
02Caregivers wanted the intervention materials to address caregiver concerns as well as patient concerns.
03Some patients and caregivers asked to remove negative content, such as discussions of changes since diagnosis and exercises that challenge negative thoughts.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study did not test whether a symptom management program improved symptoms, function, anxiety, depression, or caregiver burden. The sample was from a Midwestern U.S. outpatient oncology clinic and primarily included Caucasian participants, so preferences may not apply to other cultural or religious groups. Participants gave feedback on handouts describing a proposed program, not on receiving the program over time. Patients already receiving hospice were excluded, so findings may not apply to that group. Preferences were measured cross-sectionally and may change during diagnosis, active treatment, or later illness.
Declared interests
For the remaining authors, no conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this telephone symptom program reduces pain, fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety, or depression. The study only collected patients' and caregivers' feedback on draft intervention handouts; it did not test the program's effect.