Abstract
The implementation of laparoscopic surgery worldwide leads to increased demand of knowledge about patient experiences of the course of treatment and the time after surgery. This is especially the case with endometrial cancer—despite being the fourth most common cancer among women in Europe, there is little research of patient perspectives on an international level.
Within nursing studies and social science, endometrial cancer is typically grouped with other gynaecological cancers, masking demographic and disease related factors specific to endometrial cancer. However, it is reasonable to assume that there are essential differences in patient experiences due to, for
example, age and prognoses. The aim of this presentation is to identify elements of both satisfaction and concern among a group of Danish women to gain further scientific knowledge about the psychosocial implications of being treated for endometrial cancer lith laparoscopic hysterectomy.
The presentation is based on fieldwork at two Danish gynaecological departments, comprised of participant observation and in-depth interviews with 20 endometrial cancer patients.
Results:
Most participants felt that healthcare professionals tended to tone down the laparoscopic hysterectomy and frame it as a rather trivial surgical intervention; this was calming to most women.
Overall, there was great satisfaction with being discharged on the day after surgery, as it was seen as more secure and pleasant to recover in familiar surroundings. A rapid discharge from hospital was also perceived as an indication that surgery had gone as planned and that doctors did not expect any complications. However, some women expressed a wish of having been allowed a longer stay at the hospital. This was especially rooted in a sense of insecurity and the need of having the possibility to ask questions about any side effects.
Participants often experienced that healthcare professionals were generally too busy, and many women described the rapid treatment process as a factory or an assembly line — this made them feel that individual aspects of the person was neglected and that they were not met as a whole, unique person. Further, some women experienced what they characterized as severe side effects that made them consider whether they had been discharged too early
The rapid hospital discharge along with the downgrading of the surgical aspects of treatment led most participants to expect that they would recover both mentally and physically quicker than some women actually did. This caused concerns about whether they were still ill or whether their situation was abnormal. Consequently, clarifications of possible side effects are essential as well as an increased attention among professionals to the fact that cancer can be distressing despite favourable survival rates, ease of treatment, and fewer complications.Further, follow-up consultations should be offered in some cases, especially within the first month after surgery
Within nursing studies and social science, endometrial cancer is typically grouped with other gynaecological cancers, masking demographic and disease related factors specific to endometrial cancer. However, it is reasonable to assume that there are essential differences in patient experiences due to, for
example, age and prognoses. The aim of this presentation is to identify elements of both satisfaction and concern among a group of Danish women to gain further scientific knowledge about the psychosocial implications of being treated for endometrial cancer lith laparoscopic hysterectomy.
The presentation is based on fieldwork at two Danish gynaecological departments, comprised of participant observation and in-depth interviews with 20 endometrial cancer patients.
Results:
Most participants felt that healthcare professionals tended to tone down the laparoscopic hysterectomy and frame it as a rather trivial surgical intervention; this was calming to most women.
Overall, there was great satisfaction with being discharged on the day after surgery, as it was seen as more secure and pleasant to recover in familiar surroundings. A rapid discharge from hospital was also perceived as an indication that surgery had gone as planned and that doctors did not expect any complications. However, some women expressed a wish of having been allowed a longer stay at the hospital. This was especially rooted in a sense of insecurity and the need of having the possibility to ask questions about any side effects.
Participants often experienced that healthcare professionals were generally too busy, and many women described the rapid treatment process as a factory or an assembly line — this made them feel that individual aspects of the person was neglected and that they were not met as a whole, unique person. Further, some women experienced what they characterized as severe side effects that made them consider whether they had been discharged too early
The rapid hospital discharge along with the downgrading of the surgical aspects of treatment led most participants to expect that they would recover both mentally and physically quicker than some women actually did. This caused concerns about whether they were still ill or whether their situation was abnormal. Consequently, clarifications of possible side effects are essential as well as an increased attention among professionals to the fact that cancer can be distressing despite favourable survival rates, ease of treatment, and fewer complications.Further, follow-up consultations should be offered in some cases, especially within the first month after surgery
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | jun. 2017 |
| Status | Udgivet - jun. 2017 |
| Udgivet eksternt | Ja |
| Begivenhed | SERGS - 9th Annual Meeting on Robotic Gynaecological Surgery - , Frankrig Varighed: 14 jun. 2017 → 17 jun. 2017 https://lille.sergs.org/ |
Konference
| Konference | SERGS - 9th Annual Meeting on Robotic Gynaecological Surgery |
|---|---|
| Land/Område | Frankrig |
| Periode | 14/06/2017 → 17/06/2017 |
| Internetadresse |