Experience of lung cancer patients and the caregivers towards oncology case management : A Qualitative Research

• Main Authors: Yi Shan Ho, 何宜珊
• Other Authors: H. M. Tseng
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/80817329495666369695

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 管理學院碩士學位學程在職專班醫務管理組 === 99 === Background: Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. All professionals including case manager, patients and caregivers are involved in the disease course. The role of case manager is emerging but still remains unclear. This study was conducted to uncover the needs of lung cancer patients and caregivers, and to investigate how they perceived the role of cancer case managers. Methods and Materials: Qualitative method is used to collect and analyze the information from lung cancer patients and caregivers. A total of 5 lung cancer patients and 3 caregivers were enrolled in this qualitative research. Results: The results suggested that lung cancer patients held strong negative thoughts about their disease and the life remained. During the treatment course, the physician’s inspiration, the accompany of cancer case manager and the support from their caregivers help to keep the patients with consistent confidence and stable emotion. On the other hand, the caregivers often hesitated to tell the patients about the diagnosis of lung cancer. The caregivers need more details related to medical information, nutrition support and daily care for them to take care of the patients. In regards to the healthcare providers, both the patients and the caregivers well perceived that their case managers are capable of providing psychological support, medical and nutrient suggestions which are very helpful and important to stabilize their psychophysiological reactions. They also suggested that one-stop service from the case manager is crucial. Conclusion: Both the lung cancer patients and the caregivers needed variable assistance in health care and suggested that one-stop service by the cancer case manager is important. The findings of this research have practical implications for cancer case managers training.