Abstract
Purpose
To explore the effect that treatment-related commuting has on carers of patients with head and neck cancer.
Method
Semi-structured interviews, thematically analysed, with 31 carers.
Results
Treatment-related commuting had a considerable impact on carers of patients with head and neck cancer, both in practical terms (economic costs, disruption) and also in psychological terms. Many carers of patients with head and neck cancer described becoming distressed by their commute. Some carers from large urban cities appeared to have hidden commuting burdens. Some carers respond to commuting stress by ‘zoning out’ or becoming ‘like zombies’.
Conclusions
Treatment-related travel for head and neck cancer can have significant practical and psychological impacts. Health professionals should be aware of the impacts that commuting can have on head and neck caregivers. Health services may be able to take practical steps, such as providing subsidized parking, to address head and neck carergivers’ difficulties.
To explore the effect that treatment-related commuting has on carers of patients with head and neck cancer.
Method
Semi-structured interviews, thematically analysed, with 31 carers.
Results
Treatment-related commuting had a considerable impact on carers of patients with head and neck cancer, both in practical terms (economic costs, disruption) and also in psychological terms. Many carers of patients with head and neck cancer described becoming distressed by their commute. Some carers from large urban cities appeared to have hidden commuting burdens. Some carers respond to commuting stress by ‘zoning out’ or becoming ‘like zombies’.
Conclusions
Treatment-related travel for head and neck cancer can have significant practical and psychological impacts. Health professionals should be aware of the impacts that commuting can have on head and neck caregivers. Health services may be able to take practical steps, such as providing subsidized parking, to address head and neck carergivers’ difficulties.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 29-34 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | European Journal of Oncology Nursing |
| Volume | 30 |
| Early online date | 29 Jul 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2017 |
Keywords
- Head and neck cancer
- Carer
- Caregiving
- Commuting
- Travel
- Treatment
- Qualitative
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted author manuscript)
This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Elsevier at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462388917301631 . Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.