Coping with melanoma‐related worry: a qualitative study of the experiences and support needs of patients with malignant melanoma

Abstract

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bird, J., Coleman, P. and Danson, S. (2015), Coping with melanoma-related worry: a qualitative study of the experiences and support needs of patients with malignant melanoma. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24: 937-947., which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12758. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving (http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-820227.html).eprints@whiterose.ac.uk https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Reuse Unless indicated otherwise, fulltext items are protected by copyright with all rights reserved. The copyright exception in section 29 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 allows the making of a single copy solely for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study within the limits of fair dealing. The publisher or other rights-holder may allow further reproduction and re-use of this version -refer to the White Rose Research Online record for this item. Where records identify the publisher as the copyright holder, users can verify any specific terms of use on the publisher's website. TakedownIf you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing eprints@whiterose.ac.uk including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. ! 1 ABSTRACT Aims and objectives:To explore the patientsÕ experience of having malignant melanoma, their related support needs and the processes that lead to these needs being met. Background:The number of patients attending surveillance clinics after a diagnosis of malignant melanoma is increasing. In the UK specialist nurses provide support to patients but little evidence exists about the nature of patientsÕ support needs or their experience of having melanoma. Melanoma has often been researched within general cancer studies, yet the support needs of melanoma patients may be different from those of patients with other skin cancers or tumour types.Design: A Grounded Theory Approach was used to guide sampling, data collection and analysis.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven patients who where purposively sampled. Transcripts were read several times, coded and categorised using the constant comparative method. Emergent categories were discussed with participants.

Wishing to be perceived as a capable and resourceful person—A qualitative study of melanoma patients’ experiences of the contact and interaction with healthcare professionals

“…This finding is in line with other qualitative studies that find how patients diagnosed with melanoma, and other cancers, feel obliged to take actions themselves when they do not get support from available services. Actions like finding other HCPs and searching for information themselves are described (Bird, Coleman, & Danson, ; Easley et al, ), as well as getting help from a social support system (Banerje, D'Agostino, Gordon, & Hay, ).…”

Seeking, accepting and declining help for emotional distress in cancer: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence

“…Whether recipients were perceived to have sufficient emotional capacity to cope with emotional disclosure influenced whether disclosure occurred; while primarily described with reference to family and friends this also applied to disclosure to healthcare professionals:

When deciding whom to talk to participants chose the person that they felt could cope best with the burden of their problems. (Bird, Coleman & Danson, p. 941)

…”

“…When deciding whom to talk to participants chose the person that they felt could cope best with the burden of their problems. (Bird, Coleman & Danson, p. 941)…”

Review of Use of Digital Health in Melanoma Post-Treatment Care for Rural and Remote Communities (Preprint)

“…Psychological distress, including worry, anxiety and fear for disease recurrences and death, are common for survivors [21][22]. However, only 1% of specialists suggested patients see a psychologist as part of their posttreatment plan, despite an entire chapter of the clinician guidelines being devoted to psychosocial issues related to melanoma.…”

“…Melanoma treatment represents a significant cost for the Australian Healthcare System that has increased dramatically in the past two decades, from approximately AU$30 million in 2001 to AU$201 million in 2017. [2] The Netherlands 25/100,000 (95% CI [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia [3] and the most common cancer among young Australians (15-39 years old). Although Melanoma represents only 2% of all skin cancers [4], it often leads to premature death [4] and is responsible for a majority of skin cancer deaths [5].…”