Experiences of cancer rehabilitation among patients in rural areas in northern Iceland : Physical and psychosocial well-being, coping, quality of life, and satisfaction with care. A qualitative study
Funding Information: The authors have not received any funding or benefits to conduct this study. We would like to express our gratitude to all the participants for describing their experiences in these difficult times and with great sincerity. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by...
| Published in: | International Journal of Circumpolar Health |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2987 https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2021.1936974 |
| Summary: | Funding Information: The authors have not received any funding or benefits to conduct this study. We would like to express our gratitude to all the participants for describing their experiences in these difficult times and with great sincerity. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Physical rehabilitation and psychosocial support are a part of cancer patients well-being and their ability to cope. Physical geography and healthcare provider barriers may have negative influences on patients’ health outcomes. To explore the perceptions and experiences of cancer rehabilitation in a rural area in northern Iceland. A further aim was to explore patients’ physical and psychosocial well-being, coping and satisfaction with care. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was completed with a purposive sample of 21 patients at a tertiary hospital in northern Iceland. Three main themes emerged: 1) Rehabilitation–the need for improved access support and continuity; 2) Coping and quality of life–balancing life as it was before cancer against the present situation in order to achieve normality; 3) Satisfaction–encountering caring behaviours enhances satisfaction and well-being. Specifically targeted rehabilitation programmes need to be included in the treatment options for cancer patients. Survival instinct, coping mechanisms and a strong urge to maintain general functionality are of paramount importance intertwined with patients’ ability to cope with the disease and treatment, and their satisfaction with care. Peer reviewed |
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