Self‐management strategies used by head and neck cancer survivors following completion of primary treatment: A directed content analysis. Issue 12 (26th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dunne, Simon; Mooney, Orla; Coffey, Laura; Sharp, Linda; Timmons, Aileen; Desmond, Deirdre; Gooberman‐Hill, Rachael; O'Sullivan, Eleanor; Keogh, Ivan; Timon, Conrad; Gallagher, Pamela
• Is Part Of: Psycho-oncology. Volume 26:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 2194
• Page End: 2200
• Publication Date: 2017-05-26
• Subjects: cancer survivorship -- head and neck cancer -- psychosocial intervention development -- qualitative -- self‐management; Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- psychology -- Periodicals; 616.9940019
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.4447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-9249

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors encounter unique challenges following treatment. This study aimed to identify self‐management strategies that HNC survivors use to overcome these posttreatment challenges. Methods: Twenty‐seven individuals from 4 designated cancer centres in Ireland were interviewed about self‐management strategies that helped them overcome challenges following HNC treatment. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analysed using directed content analysis. Results: Twenty self‐management strategy types (encompassing 77 specific strategies) were identified. The most frequently used self‐management strategy types were self‐sustaining (used by 26 survivors), self‐motivating (n = 25), and proactive problem solving (n = 25). The most frequently used specific strategies were adaptive approaches to ongoing physical consequences of HNC and its treatment (n = 24), customising dietary practices (n = 24), and maintaining a positive outlook (n = 22). Conclusions: The study identified strategies that helped HNC survivors to self‐manage posttreatment challenges. This information could inform the design/development of self‐management interventions tailored towards HNC survivors.