Perceptions and Expectations of Patients with Lung Cancer and Melanoma about the Telenursing Approach: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Background: Telenursing could improve continuity of care in patients with cancer. This study aims to explore the expectations and perceptions of patients with lung cancer and melanoma toward telenursing. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted on a convenience sampling of twenty patients aged 18 years or over from a Cancer Center. With the consent of patients and the relevant Ethics Committee, in-depth open-ended face-to-face interviews were conducted until data saturation. The phenomenon’s essence was achieved through themes emerging from the qualitative data analysis. Results: Patients’ perceptions and expectations were related to areas explored by a general theme on the nurse–patient relationship’s importance. Four themes and eleven sub-themes were focused on misconceptions about lack of use, patients’ potential and fears, the home as a place of care, and the caring relationship. Fifteen patients perceived the internet as a chaotic “bubble”. Conclusions: Despite the lack of previous use, patients consider telenursing positively as “a bridge between home and care”, especially in the advanced stages of the disease. They highlighted strengths and weaknesses of telenursing, such as having “someone for you”, connection, fear of psychological addiction, loss of privacy, and lack of empathy. This study was not registered.