학술논문
Coping with an altered mouth and perceived supportive care needs following head and neck cancer treatment
Original Article
Original Article
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Source
Supportive Care in Cancer. August 2015, Vol. 23 Issue 8, p2365, 9 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
0941-4355
Abstract
Author(s): K. A. Pateman[sup.1] [sup.2] , P. J. Ford[sup.1] , M. D. Batstone[sup.3] , C. S. Farah[sup.1] [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Oral Health [...]
Purpose Oral health is essential to general health and well-being and is severely impacted by head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment. This study aimed to describe how people who have been treated for HNC cope with altered oral health and function and to identify their supportive care needs. Methods A qualitative, descriptive approach was used. Data was collected from individual interviews with six participants 6 months after treatment. Data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis involving inductive and directed approaches. Directed content analysis was guided by the Stress, Appraisal and Coping Model. Results Three themes describing changed oral health were identified from the data: dimensions of eating, maintaining oral health after treatment and adapting to the chronic side effects of treatment. A strong use of problem-focussed coping was described, in addition to the importance of peer support in adapting to the psychosocial outcomes of treatment. Support needs identified related to increased access to specialist dental oncology services post treatment, information needs and a need for more psychological support. Conclusion The study findings describe the experience of a sample of people who have received treatment for HNC. Due to a demographically homogenous sample and the strong use of positive coping strategies, the results presented may not describe the experience of the wider HNC population; however, these results provide insight into factors that may influence positive coping. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00520-015-2607-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Purpose Oral health is essential to general health and well-being and is severely impacted by head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment. This study aimed to describe how people who have been treated for HNC cope with altered oral health and function and to identify their supportive care needs. Methods A qualitative, descriptive approach was used. Data was collected from individual interviews with six participants 6 months after treatment. Data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis involving inductive and directed approaches. Directed content analysis was guided by the Stress, Appraisal and Coping Model. Results Three themes describing changed oral health were identified from the data: dimensions of eating, maintaining oral health after treatment and adapting to the chronic side effects of treatment. A strong use of problem-focussed coping was described, in addition to the importance of peer support in adapting to the psychosocial outcomes of treatment. Support needs identified related to increased access to specialist dental oncology services post treatment, information needs and a need for more psychological support. Conclusion The study findings describe the experience of a sample of people who have received treatment for HNC. Due to a demographically homogenous sample and the strong use of positive coping strategies, the results presented may not describe the experience of the wider HNC population; however, these results provide insight into factors that may influence positive coping. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00520-015-2607-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.