Deakin University
Browse

Improving survivors’ quality of life post-treatment: The perspectives of rural australian cancer survivors and their carers

Download (280.12 kB)
Version 3 2024-06-19, 02:19
Version 2 2024-06-03, 09:56
Version 1 2021-04-16, 08:14
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-19, 02:19 authored by KM Gunn, I Olver, XS Ross, N Harrison, Trish LivingstonTrish Livingston, C Wilson
The transition from urban centres back to rural and remote communities can be challenging for rural cancer survivors after treatment. This study aimed to (a) provide deeper understanding of the experiences of rural survivors who have completed active cancer treatment and returned to their rural communities, and (b) determine strategies to re-orient existing services or develop new interventions to more appropriately meet rural survivors’ service preferences and needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 adults (64% female) who lived outside of a metropolitan area and had completed active cancer treatment (n = 13), were the carer for a rural/remote cancer survivor (n = 6), or were both a survivor and carer (n = 3). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify dominant themes in the qualitative data. A range of physical, psychological and practical challenges that impact quality of life among rural survivors post-treatment were found. These challenges appeared to be compounded by a lack of trust in local rural healthcare services and a lack of clear post-treatment pathways to quality of life-enhancing support services. Acceptable strategies to overcome barriers included nurse-led, telephone-based, or face-to-face interventions, initiated and continued by the same service provider, and that included support to manage emotional challenges associated with post-treatment survivorship. The findings will inform the design of interventions to better meet rural cancer survivors’ post-treatment support needs.

History

Journal

Cancers

Volume

13

Article number

ARTN 1600

Pagination

1 - 15

Location

Switzerland

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

2072-6694

eISSN

2072-6694

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

7

Publisher

MDPI