Hearing the Voices of Australian Thyroid Cancer Survivors: Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Semistructured Interviews Identifies Unmet Support Needs
Authors' conclusion
Thyroid cancer survivors can struggle to navigate their cancer journey, particularly with regard to psychological and social functioning.
Study context
- Population
- Australian thyroid cancer survivors
- Participants
- 20 interviews
- Outcome
- Themes of survivors' experiences
Methodological detailssemistructured interviews, purposive, maximum variation sample, hybrid inductive and realistic codebook thematic analysis, independent coding by two researchers
- Semistructured interviews
- Purposive, maximum variation sample
- Hybrid inductive and realistic codebook thematic analysis
- Independent coding by two researchers
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Three themes: (1) impact of diagnosis and treatment, (2) thyroid cancer does not happen in isolation, (3) role of clinicians and formalized support structures
- Many reported fatigue, weight gain and difficulty returning to usual activities; concerns largely dismissed or minimized by clinicians
- Few were offered support beyond treating doctors; little formalized supportive care available or appropriate
- Life stage and concurrent family and social stressors greatly impacted ability to cope
- Interactions with clinicians largely positive; information on initial treatments largely adequate, but on longer term effects and follow-up lacking
- Clinicians focused on physical well-being and scan results, missing opportunities for psychological support
Original publication
Hearing the Voices of Australian Thyroid Cancer Survivors: Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Semistructured Interviews Identifies Unmet Support Needs. Thyroid. Published 5 July 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →