Family’s Experience: Nursing Care for Colorectal Cancer Patients with Colostomy

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer patients with colostomy have various complaints about changes in their life including the need for comprehensive and personal care. Ostomy nurses are responsible for managing people with a colostomy, and this particular nursing practice continues to develop globally. Also, previous literature highlights the importance of caregiver’s support, particularly family in colostomy patient care.Purpose: This study aimed to explore the family experience of colorectal cancer patients toward colostomy nursing careMethods: The study design used was descriptive phenomenology to explore the experience of ten participants through in-depth interviews. The participants were selected using purposive sampling with the inclusion criteria: family members of colorectal cancer patients with colostomy, over 21 years old, and able to communicate verbally. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method.Results: The results revealed three themes related to the family’s experience: (1) positive and negative behavior in nursing care, (2) living with a colostomy, (3) expectations for nursing care. The findings showed that the families were happy with the ostomy nursing care though some aspects needed to be improved. However, colorectal cancer patients experienced some difficulties in living with a colostomy.Conclusion: The study concluded that the colostomy nursing care still needs to be improved. This study recommends the ostomy nurses to improve their nursing care, especially in terms of skills, responsiveness, and awareness.