Symptom experience and self-management for multiple co-occurring symptoms in patients with gastric cancer: A qualitative study

• Published in: European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society 2020-12, Vol.49, p.101860-101860, Article 101860
• Main Authors: Lin, Yufen, Docherty, Sharron L., Porter, Laura S., Bailey, Donald E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Experience; Female; Gastric cancer; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; Oncology nursing; Palliative Care - methods; Palliative Care - psychology; Qualitative Research; Qualitative study; Quality of Life - psychology; Recurrence; Self-management; Self-Management - methods; Self-Management - psychology; Stomach Neoplasms - psychology; Stomach Neoplasms - therapy; Symptom; Symptom Flare Up
• ISSN: 1462-3889; 1532-2122
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101860

Patients with gastric cancer experience an increased symptom burden with multiple co-occurring symptoms. Knowledge of patients’ symptom experiences and self-management for these symptoms is limited. The purpose of this study was to describe multiple co-occurring symptoms, symptom experiences, and symptom self-management strategies in patients with gastric cancer. A qualitative descriptive approach was used for this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten American participants (median age 52.5 years, 50% female, 70% African American). Content analysis was used to explore their symptoms, experiences, and self-management strategies. Four themes were identified: perceptions of multiple co-occurring symptoms, complex and dynamic nature of symptom experiences, living with multiple co-occurring symptoms, and symptom self-management strategies (i.e., medications for symptoms, information seeking from the clinician team, lifestyle modification, psychosocial and spiritual support). Our findings provide new insights into how patients with gastric cancer perceive and interpret their multiple co-occurring symptoms, contribute to our understanding of the role that inter-individual variability might play in symptom experiences, and highlight a range of self-management strategies for managing multiple co-occurring symptoms. Oncology nurses need to assess symptoms on an ongoing basis, educate patients about multiple co-occurring symptoms, and develop and test person-centered self-management interventions for these patients to enhance their symptom relief and quality of life. •Patients with gastric cancer experience an increased symptom burden with multiple co-occurring symptoms.•Inter-individual variability might play an important role in symptom experiences.•Symptom self-management strategies include medications, information seeking, lifestyle adjustment, and psychosocial support.•Oncology nurse should develop and test person-centered self-management interventions for patients.