Understanding Self-Management Interventions and Experiences of Adults with Cancer Symptoms

Abstract

The purpose was to understand the use of self-management (SM) interventions to support adults with cancer in managing their acute symptoms. The specific objectives were to: determine the effectiveness of SM interventions for acute cancer symptoms and explore the patient experience with telephone cancer symptom management by nurses using COSTaRS. The overview of reviews identified five SM intervention reviews. SM interventions included synchronous, asynchronous and combined interventions. They showed improved or no difference in enhancing health status and the SM process. An interpretive descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 11 participants who had received SM guidance from nurses using COSTaRS. The seven main themes identified were: didn't know what to expect; no frivolous questions were asked; relied on support from family and friends; connected with the nurse; call was more than a 'script'; helpful guidance with some gaps; and reassured and glad to avoid the emergency room.