Breast cancer-related lymphedema patient and healthcare professional experiences in lymphedema self-management: a qualitative study

作者：Zhao, Huihui; Wu, Yanni; Zhou, Chunlan^*; Li, Wenji; Li, Xiaojin; Chen, Liling

来源：Supportive Care in Cancer, 2021, 29(12): 8027-8044.

DOI：10.1007/s00520-021-06390-8

• Breast cancer
• Lymphedema
• Self-management
• Healthcare professional
• Qualitative study

Purpose Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) self-management plays an important role in the lymphedema therapy. However, clinical knowledge of BCRL self-management remains minimal. This study aims to explore the experience surrounding lymphedema self-management from the perspectives of BCRL patients and healthcare professionals. Methods Semi-structured interviews were implemented with BCRL patients and healthcare professionals. Audio-recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken to analyze the interview data. Results Thirteen BCRL patients (aged 34-65 years) and nine healthcare professionals (2 physicians, 4 nurses, and 3 lymphedema therapists) were interviewed. Five themes emerged from interviews with participants: knowledge-attitude-practice surrounding lymphedema self-management, emotional reactions towards lymphedema self-management, factors influencing lymphedema self-management, support needs for lymphedema self-management, healthcare professional support of BCRL self-management. Conclusions This study showed knowledge-attitude-practice, feelings, influencing factors, roles, dilemmas, and support needs regarding BCRL self-management. Greater effort is required for healthcare professionals to strengthen the lymphedema self-management. Providing more educational program and holistic support, and strengthening the facilitators and controlling the barriers might benefit promoting lymphedema self-management. Likewise, healthcare professionals need adequate training to be able to meet patients' self-management support needs.

• 单位
  南方医科大学