Support self-management of symptoms in cancer therapies:The Symptom-Navi-Program Abstract. Background: Cancer patients experience a variety of symptoms associated with their disease and treatment. Many patients express uncertainty how to self-manage these symptoms. We developed the Symptom-Navi-Program (SNP) to support cancer patients' symptom self-management. The SNP comprises concise information leaflets, Symptom-Navi-Flyers (SNF), with content tailored to the needs of patients and nurse-led semi-structured consultations.
The aim of the study was to to explore if patients experienced with the SNP with a focus on the perceived usefulness.
In a qualitative study, we conducted ten semi-structured interviews with cancer patients undergoing treatment. The interviews conduct and data analysis was based on thematic analysis as defined by 1-2Braun and Clarke (2006).
Overall, patients described the SNP as a helpful facilitator for their self-management of symptoms. They highlighted its usefulness in an emotionally challenging situation. Nurse-led education and SNF tailored to the individual situation were experienced as self-management empowering elements. Consequently, patients experienced to know and have more choices in their symptom management strategies. Patients also described to use SNF to inform their relatives.
Patients experience the SNP as a promising tool to facilitate their symptom self-management. Its implementation in clinical practice will now be further evaluated.