Abstract
BackgroundFew studies have explored the women's experiences as a result of a partners' diagnosis of prostate cancer. This study begins to explore women's interactions with physicians (primary care and urologist) and the support needs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of their partners' prostate cancer.MethodsTwo focus groups (n = 14) of women whose partners were diagnosed with prostate cancer (diagnoses' 1 - 18 months). A trained facilitator used open-ended questions to explore ideas. The framework approach was used to analyze the transcripts.ResultsThree main themes emerged: 1. More support. Validation and information is needed for women including emotional support and opportunities to share experiences. 2. Role of the physician. The transfer of care once specialized treatment is no longer needed remained poorly defined, which increased confusion and feelings of abandonment related to the role of the primary physician. 3. Partners' relationship changes. Men became more dependent on their partners for support and to act as the primary communicator and caregiver.ConclusionsAdditional research is needed in this field to confirm the importance of training primary care physicians to consider holistic treatment approaches that recognize the partner and family needs as important in the complete physical and emotional healing of their patients.
Highlights
Few studies have explored the women’s experiences as a result of a partners’ diagnosis of prostate cancer
Additional research is needed in this field to confirm the importance of training primary care physicians to consider holistic treatment approaches that recognize the partner and family needs as important in the complete physical and emotional healing of their patients
It is evident that female partners can experience high levels of stress and increased responsibility as a result of a diagnosis, yet there are often limited resources made available for family members to help cope with a diagnosis of this magnitude [3,4]
Summary
Few studies have explored the women’s experiences as a result of a partners’ diagnosis of prostate cancer. This study begins to explore women’s interactions with physicians (primary care and urologist) and the support needs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of their partners’ prostate cancer. One study noted that the QOL of both the patient and their partner was similar in relation to the psychosocial experiences associated with the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer [2]. A systematic review examining the psychosocial adjustments of female partners to a diagnosis of prostate cancer found a small number of studies suggesting that partners report more distress than patients yet believe that patients are the more distressed [6]. The primary objective of this pilot study was to begin to explore the interaction of the female partner with the patient’s physicians (primary care and urologist) and her support needs associated with treatment of and recovery from prostate cancer
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