Next of kin of cancer patients - Challenges in the situation and experiences from a next of kin course

作者：Thorsnes Sigrid Lerstad^*; Blindheim Kari; Brataas Hildfrid V

来源：European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2014, 18(6): 578-584.

DOI：10.1016/j.ejon.2014.07.001

• Next of kin
• Cancer disease situation
• Learning
• Coping
• Course
• Content analyses

Purpose: To gain more knowledge about the challenges facing the next of kin of cancer patients and how a cognitive-based course for these next of kin helps them handling the challenges they are facing.
Methods: Focus groups were used to explore the experiences, thoughts, and perceptions of the next of kin about specific challenges and their participation in the course. A thematic content analytical approach was used.
Results: Three focus groups were convened with each group consisting of 4-7 adults. A total of 9 women and 7 men, aged 32 to 78 years, were included in the sample. The following two main themes emerged in the results: Fighting three battles and From distance to acceptance. This study shows that the difficult situations next of kin experience require the next of kin to gain a new understanding of challenges, which involves a comprehensive learning process.
Conclusion: The results suggest that a cognitively oriented course for the next of kin fill a need for help for them to learn and cope, but further research in this area is recommended.

• 出版日期2014-12