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Objective: To date, there is limited research to inform an understanding of cancer patients' choice as to location of treatment. This paper makes a contribution by providing findings on a group of regional, rural and remote cancer patients, namely those diagnosed with a haematological malignancy, who have to relocate for specialist care in Queensland, Australia. Methods: Adescriptive qualitative method was used based on 45 in-depth interviews with haematology patients living in Queensland who were supported by the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland. Results: Four key factors were found to affect the decision making of patients who prefer to travel to metropolitan hospitals for specialist haematology treatments, namely access to own doctor, bonds and familiarity with metropolitan staff, desire for 'quality' specialist care and a distrust of local clinical care and, for some, the absence of usual barriers to visiting the metropolitan area. Conclusions: There are a group of patients who have experiences that lead them to distrust non-metropolitan hospitals and motivate them to travel long distances to attend specialist treating centres for 'quality' care. The literature affirms the concerns of this group. It is the hope and expectation in publishing this article that these patients' concerns will be taken into consideration in the development of health services and policy so that eventually all regional, rural and remote patients will be provided with equitable choice with regard to the location of accessing specialist care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents original research findings on informal financial assistance for hematological patients; that is, the gifts from family, friends, and communities that help patients cope with the financial hardship associated with cancer. The qualitative study involved interviews with 45 hematology patients that were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and then thematically analyzed. The findings examine the differing perspectives that individuals and families bring to the notion of informal financial aid, provide examples of individuals who require and receive informal financial assistance, and conclude with descriptions of those who require informal financial assistance but it is not available. The implications of the findings for oncology social work practice are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose/Objectives: To present the findings from recent research on the experience of relocation for specialist treatment for patients in the hematology/oncology population. Research Approach: Descriptive, qualitative study based on exploratory, in-depth interviews that were recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Setting: Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland, Australia. Participants: A purposive sample of 45 individuals with hematologic cancer who had to relocate for specialist treatment. Methodologic Approach: A descriptive, qualitative methodology actioned through open-ended, in-depth interviews with 45 participants who relocated for specialist treatment. Findings: The findings indicate that relocation happens at a time when patients are particularly emotionally vulnerable from the shock of their diagnosis or relapse and the confrontation with a potentially life-threatening condition. During this time, when the need for the comfort and support of home and family is heightened, patients have to separate from their family and travel to metropolitan specialist centers. For patients from regional, rural, and remote locations, which are lengthy distances from metropolitan hospitals, the choice to return home during treatment is not a realistic option. Distance also can be a barrier that prevents family from visiting the hospital to provide support. Conclusions: Individuals who have to relocate require psychosocial support. Because of the stresses associated with relocation for specialist care, many patients from regional, rural, and remote areas would prefer to be treated locally. Interpretation: Understanding and responding to family issues associated with relocation for specialist treatment is an important aspect of oncology nursing care for patients who have to relocate from regional, rural, and remote areas. Because centralization of specialist hematology treatment is a worldwide trend, the findings have relevance to an international nursing audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study set out to explore the attitudes toward a ' Patient Stories' DVD as a psychosocial support initiative for patients diagnosed with a hematological malignancy. Design A qualitative research design was employed through a series of open-ended interviews and one focus group. Participants Participants were purposively sampled from a database of patients maintained by the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland. In total, there were 50 participants ( n = 26 male, n = 24 female), which represented the following major hematological diagnostic groups: multiple myeloma ( n = 15), lymphoma ( n = 14), leukemia ( n = 17), and other ( n = 4). Of the overall cohort, 11 participants had undergone a bone marrow transplant, and 15 had undergone a stem cell transplant (allogeneic and autologous transplants). Results and Conclusion Most participants believed that a ' Patient Stories' DVD would be a beneficial and effective way for nurses delivering psychosocial support to hematology patients. Such benefits included a sense of normalization from hearing similar stories and providing convenient support that did not require travel or potentially uncomfortable social situations. However, some participants did not show interest in the idea for reasons such as already having a local support system and not wanting to watch potentially frightening stories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To explore the use of routine telephone follow-up as a supportive care strategy for patients with hematologic malignancies from the patients' perspectives.Research Approach: A qualitative design based on a series of open-ended interviews and one focus group.Setting: Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland, Australia.Participants: 50 participants recruited from the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland database that represented a sample of major diagnostic groups, age, gender, and geographic location of patients with hematologic malignancies.Methodologic Approach: Interviews and focus groups were open-ended and were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and thematically analyzed to form the basis of the findings.Findings: The majority of participants in the study saw a perceived benefit in regular telephone follow-up as a supportive care service. Benefits included the positive aspects of individualized attention, potential support created for those not open to conventional types of support, and the positive effects of allowing support organizations to keep track of patient progress. However, some participants did not want to receive regular telephone follow-up support because of a desire to move on and access to other support through friends, family, or healthcare professionals.Conclusions: The results from the current study affirm previous research. Attitudes toward a telephone follow-up support service vary from patient to patient. Research demonstrates that patients with cancer responded with attitudes that range from favorable to unfavorable toward the benefits and usefulness of telephone support.Interpretation: Oncology nurses provide supportive care for patients with hematologic malignancies, and they serve as a key professional group to provide follow-up telephone supportive care. Based on the findings from the current article, oncology nurses who provide supportive care should be aware of differing attitudes among patients with hematologic malignancies toward telephone follow-up support. Nurses participating in support initiatives should recognize the notion of patient receptivity and how it affects telephone support strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to provide recent findings on the perceptions and experiences about end-of-life care for individuals with a hematological malignancy. A qualitative design based on a series of open-ended interviews and one focus group was utilized to explore and document the experience of survivorship from the perspective of adult patients diagnosed with a hematological malignancy. Fifty participants (n = 26 male;n = 24 female) were interviewed representing the major hematological diagnostic groups: Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma, and Leukemia. The interviews and focus group were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and thematically analyzed. The findings presented are from the participants' experiences with end-of-life care. The findings indicated that those fortunate enough to know about the benefits of palliative care are more likely to access palliative care during end-of-life care. However, for many hematology patients there are still problems with timely referrals to the palliative system. Within the context of an Australian research program, the findings provide a useful “snapshot” of current issues for Australian hematology patients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: The use of the word 'survivor' is now widely accepted in academic and clinical oncology culture. However, despite such prevalence, there is limited research exploring the meaning of the term survivor for the very individuals to which the term is applied. The article provides insights on the term survivor from a sub-set of findings taken from a Queensland study exploring the experience of survivorship for individuals diagnosed with a haematological malignancy. Methods: The qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 50 individuals diagnosed with a haematological malignancy. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and then analysed thematically. Results: The results indicated that the majority of participants actively disliked the term and did not embrace the notion of survivor in their post-diagnosis identity. Only a small number actively embraced the term. Conclusion: The word survivor had a multiplicity of meanings depending on the individual interpretation of the term. Relevance of manuscript to inform research, policies and/or programmes: The clear message from the research is that the term survivor needs to be used with care and sensitivity. The strong recommendation is that caution should be used when applying the term to individuals diagnosed with a haematological malignancy. The naming of support groups and newsletters should be sensitive to the wide range of meanings that individuals bring to this term. Indeed, the findings indicate that many do not identify with the term and require a more appropriate language to respond to their supportive care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To present findings on the impact of diagnosis and treatment on sexuality for those diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy.Research Approach: A qualitative design based on a series of open-ended interviews and one focus group.Setting: Queensland, Australia.Participants: 50 participants representing the major hematologic diagnostic groups.Methodologic Approach: Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded and thematically analyzed for the research.Findings: The impact of the disease and treatment on sexuality ranged from participants experiencing no problems or having a brief impact that passes over time, to those who reported serious problems that significantly affected their life satisfaction. Some concerns were raised about the taboo nature of sexuality and the lack of discussion on the topic.Conclusions: The findings contradict prior research that all patients with cancer will experience an impact on their sexuality by diagnosis and treatment. The current study indicates that a small subgroup of individuals diagnosed with hematologic malignancies are acutely distressed about issues regarding sexuality and require follow-up.Interpretation: Individuals diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy may have difficulties with their sexuality and will, therefore, require follow-up or assistance. A subset of individuals will require understanding, support, and, for some, referral to follow-up with a specialist. As major obstacles still exist for patients accessing appropriate professional support and advice on sexuality, oncology nursing can provide leadership in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the personal and economic importance of the issue of returning to work after cancer treatment, there are major limitations in the research literature on the topic. Indeed, in relation to the focus of the present article, the experience of return to work for Australian haematology patients, there is little research available. Methods: The return-to-work findings are a sub-set from a study examining survivorship issues conducted through in-depth, qualitative interviews with a state-wide sample ( n = 50) of individuals who were at least 1 year post-treatment for haematological malignancy. Results: There were three groups identified in relation to employment: (1) those who were retired and work was not an issue, (2) those who had successfully re-entered the workforce and (3) those who wanted to work but were finding the process of return-to-work difficult. It is the third group that is the major focus for this paper. Conclusions: The clear indications are that group 3 requires assistance with return-to-work and were vulnerable to a range of psychosocial distress caused by inability to return to employment. Supportive care strategies to assist return to employment are provided. Relevance of manuscript to inform research, policies and/or programs Current improvements in cancer treatments have not only increased the number of cancer survivors but also peoples' ability to work during and following treatment. Maximising opportunities for cancer patients to return to work is a significant concern not only for individuals and employers but also economically for society. The findings reported in this article explored the individual story of a range of individuals with haematological malignancies in relation to their desire and efforts to return to work. Importantly, the findings not only provide insights on the work re-entry challenges faced by such individuals but also posit supportive care service delivery solutions to assist those who are vulnerable and frustrated in their efforts to find employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has emerged a new direction in research into posttraumatic stress that incorporates the acute stress associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This area of research has important implications for the future direction of rehabilitative care for cancer patients as it highlights the severe adjustment difficulties experienced by many of those undergoing cancer treatments and in the families who nurture them. There is an urgent need for intervention strategies designed to identify the vulnerable in these groups and provide them with appropriate rehabilitative counselling and support. This article is written to demarcate and consolidate this innovative direction in psycho-oncology and make the relevant literature readily available for health and allied health professionals involved in the rehabilitation of post-diagnosis cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]