Brain tumor patients’ experiences and psychological needs in peri-operative environment

Abstract

Purpose. Brain tumor (BT) diagnosis and treatment is a lifechanging experience that might lead to impaired physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. An acute stage of BT treatment often starts with neurosurgery. The aim of this study is to reveal and describe the experiences of primary BT patients during peri-operative period and discuss emerging psychological needs and possible support options during this time. Methods . Five primary brain tumor patients − 3 men and 2 women - participated in this study. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using J. A. Smith’s interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results. Analysis revealed five overarching themes: 1) A need to control one’s situation; 2) Futile wishing to escape from the depressive hospital environment; 3) Increased dependency and fears for the future; 4) Experiences of solidarity and isolation; 5) Confusion about changes in the head. Conclusions. Results indicates that empowering patients with information and sense of control, reducing environmental stressors and individualizing care, providing specialized mental health care in the process of grieving the old life and adjusting to the new one, as well as providing support and information to the caregivers of the patients might be beneficial for brain tumor patients and their transition to further treatment phases.