Attitudes and perceptions of healthcare professionals related to family participation in surgical cancer care—A mixed method study

Abstract

The World Health Organization (1998) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of illness and disability."Family is the composition of a self-defined group that includes two or more people. The bond between family members is not dependent on law or blood ties but is defined by a member's experience of belonging to a family (Whall, 1986). Family is self-defined and beyond blood ties, which thus opens a diversity of different family constellations. The feeling of a strong sense of belonging is fundamental (Wright & Leahey, 2013). The well-being of a family is intertwined between each member, and individual changes in members can create ill health in the whole family. Kakkinen and Hanson (2015, p. 5) define family health as "a dynamic changing relative state of well-being which includes the biological, psychological, spiritual, sociological and cultural factors of the family systems." To maintain perceived health, communication is a cornerstone that creates balance within the family and thereby the power to resist external influences. Each family has its own culture regarding function and structure, which can change over time. A nurse needs to understand the family's structure and culture to best support the family in a crisis (Kakkinen & Hanson, 2015).

Support for family members in routine outpatient colorectal cancer care: Development of a tailored support model

“…This approach is not isolated to the CSNs of this study, e.g. Trulsson et al (133) show corroborating findings. To enable a tailored support, the narrowed focus needs to be addressed.…”

“…Family health conversations are stressed in family nursing research (2,134,(142)(143)(144) yet require knowledge, interest, and time (105,139), for which reason applicability of such assessments in routine care requires discussion with and education of intended users. Further, the patient focus of the CSNs (II), family members (III) and previous research (103,133) points to a need for close attention so family members' own needs do not remain undetected in conversations involving the persons diagnosed with cancer. Particularly, since family members stress a separate conversation as a requirement for their thoughts to be brought to light (III).…”