Thyroid cancer: patients' experiences of receiving iodine‑131 therapy

Rákkutatás · Thyroid cancer

To enhance understanding of the experiences and educational needs of patients receiving iodine‑131 (131I) therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Purpose/OBJECTIVES: To enhance understanding of the experiences and educational needs of patients receiving iodine‑131 (131I) therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer. DESIGN: Qualitative design using interpretive description. SETTING: A 24‑bed oncology/acute‑care medical unit in a large tertiary hospital in western Canada. SAMPLE: 5 men and 22 women (18‑80 years of age) who have received 131I therapy in the past two years. METHODS: Unstructured focus group and telephone interviews and field notes. Interviews were tape‑recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Researchers elicited four major themes from the analysis: (a) recognizing the totality of the cancer experience, (b) being isolated, (c) recognizing the totality of the treatment experience, and (d) understanding barriers to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers require a better understanding of thyroid disease and the treatment and side effects of 131I therapy. Furthermore, educational programs are required to adequately prepare nurses and patients for future care.

Understanding patient experiences can guide better education and support for those undergoing radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer.

Bizonyítékszint: Számítógépes vagy elméleti. Modellből vagy adatbányászatból származó jel.

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