A Qualitative Study of the Experiences During Radiotherapy of Swedish Patients Suffering From Lung Cancer

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Abstract
To describe experiences during radiotherapy of patients suffering from lung cancer. Inductive, qualitative. A radiotherapy department in the south of Sweden. 15 patients with lung cancer undergoing their second week of radiotherapy. Interviews were conducted in a hospital setting, transcribed, and content analyzed. Experiences during radiotherapy. The patients' experiences fall into four categories: fatigue, physical distress, managing disease- and treatment-related issues, and obstacles to managing. Fatigue was a major experience expressed in terms of low energy levels and low fitness, sometimes leading to social isolation. Nurses need to implement interventions to minimize side effects of radiotherapy and maximize patients' abilities to manage the disease and the treatment. Informing and educating patients about pretreatment and assessing fatigue as well as implementing interventions (e.g., nurse-patient interaction, support, information, encouragement, focus on the patients' own resources) may lead to improved comprehensive care during radiation therapy.