Exploring the symptoms and psychological experiences among lung cancer convalescence patients after radical lobectomy: a qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Background In the convalescence period of patients after radical lung cancer surgery, the influence of symptoms and psychological experiences among lung cancer convalescent patients after radical lobectomyhas received little research attention. Purpose This study aims to explore the symptom experiences and psychological feelings of lung cancer patients after radical lobectomy in China. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using face-to-face semistructured interviews with lung cancer patients who had a radical lobectomy for treatment of their cancer during the convalescence period. Participants (n=18) were recruited from a general hospital in China, and patients were selected using purposive sampling from September 2021 to February 2022. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and Colaizzi’s seven-step method of phenomenology was used. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was conducted to report the study. Results Four themes were extracted from the interview data: physiological dimensions (fatigue, cough or sputum, chest tightness and shortness of breath, daily activities affected, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite); psychological dimensions (negative emotion, fear of cancer recurrence, learning to accept reality, strengthened faith and hope); family dimensions (heavy economic burden, perceived family care, improved health management behavior); and social dimensions (perceived support of medical staff, decreased sense of social value and self-identity, changes in social and working style). Conclusion Lung cancer patients are still troubled by many problems during the postoperative recovery period. Medical staff should design and implement effective evaluations and targeted interventions for patients’ physical and mental health as soon as possible to improve patients’ physical and mental health, as well as their quality of life.