Mental Health and Nursing Care of Individuals with Cancer and Their Families—2nd Edition

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Nursing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 3007

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
Interests: supportive care; cancer care; palliative care; psychosocial oncology; oncology nursing; survivorship; clinical nursing research
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer and its treatment have many consequences for individuals who are diagnosed and their family members. These consequences can be physical, emotional, social, psychological, spiritual, informational, and/or practical. They can begin at the time an individual believes they may be diagnosed with cancer and continue throughout diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. In some cases, they continue for many years following the treatment interval.

These consequences can create challenges for both the individual and the family, which can have a profound influence on their mental health—all experience psychosocial or emotional distress to some degree. The resulting impact is often cyclical throughout the cancer experience, rising and falling repeatedly, and varies from one person to another.

An in-depth understanding of the impacts and the factors affecting living with them on a daily basis is necessary as a basis for providing quality nursing care to those with cancer or their family members. Additionally, evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions is required to provide evidence-based care. Currently, gaps remain in the evidence nurses require for providing quality care across the cancer continuum for those experiencing mental health issues.

Following on the success of the first edition, and in consideration of the wide range of mental health and cancer challenges, we are proceeding with a second edition to facilitate coverage of additional work on this topic. For this second edition, we are seeking original research or program/intervention evaluations directed toward understanding patient and family member challenges that impact the mental health of individuals with cancer and their families.

Reviews and both quantitative and qualitative designs will be considered.

Prof. Dr. Margaret Fitch
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cancer care
  • mental health
  • family care
  • patient perspectives
  • caregiver health
  • family involvement
  • nursing care

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 224 KiB  
Article
Lived Experiences of Self-Care in Older Adults with Lymphoma Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatments During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Samonnan Thasaneesuwan, Kittikorn Nilmanat, Anuchit Maropi, Sudjit Sukrai and Margaret I. Fitch
Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020157 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Background: To be diagnosed and treated for cancer can be a distressing experience, and it can require individuals to engage in self-care strategies to cope with the situation. The self-care experiences of older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in [...] Read more.
Background: To be diagnosed and treated for cancer can be a distressing experience, and it can require individuals to engage in self-care strategies to cope with the situation. The self-care experiences of older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand remain rarely studied. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of self-care among older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenology research design was used. It involved in-depth interviews with nine older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy. Data analysis utilized van Manen’s approach, and trustworthiness was ensured by adhering to Lincoln and Guba’s criteria. Results: This study revealed that the lived experience of self-care among older adults with lymphoma receiving chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic encompasses five lifeworlds within the lived body, addressing aspects of (1) thumjai and (2) continuing to fight cancer. Lived relations means trusting healthcare providers and holding on together. Lived time reflects being aware of the natural path of life. The concept of lived space encompasses staying safe at home and staying cautious. Lived things reflect (1) accepting one’s own karma and (2) living economically. Conclusions: The findings enhance the understanding of self-care experiences among older adults with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Asian context. The findings can inform the development of a person-centered nursing intervention tailored for older persons that emphasizes cultural aspects. Full article
10 pages, 228 KiB  
Article
Development of a Community-Based Communication Intervention among Latin Caregivers of Patients Coping with Cancer
by Normarie Torres-Blasco, Lianel Rosario-Ramos, Carled Arguelles, Stephanie Torres Marrero, Tiffany Rivera, Zulay Vicente, Maria Elena Navedo, Rosael Burgos, Mayra Garriga, Maria del Carmen Pacheco and Betsy Lopez
Healthcare 2024, 12(8), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12080841 - 16 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1357
Abstract
Background: Cancer affects the emotional well-being of patients and caregivers, highlighting the need for effective communication strategies. This study explores a community-based communication intervention for Latino caregiver–patient dyads coping with cancer. The acceptability of the intervention, along with its associated facilitators and [...] Read more.
Background: Cancer affects the emotional well-being of patients and caregivers, highlighting the need for effective communication strategies. This study explores a community-based communication intervention for Latino caregiver–patient dyads coping with cancer. The acceptability of the intervention, along with its associated facilitators and barriers, are crucial considerations. Methods: Three focus group interviews involved healthcare providers, community partners, patients, and caregivers to discuss the communication needs of this population and the components of a communication intervention while identifying facilitators and barriers to the intervention. Qualitative thematic content analysis was conducted using Nvivo v12, ensuring reliability through independent analysis and consensus building. Results: Participants (89% female, average age of 53) included patients (30%), caregivers (30%), community partners (25%), and healthcare providers (15%), and they discussed the overall acceptability of adapting a communication intervention, where they emphasized benefits for caregivers and patients, primarily through support groups. Communication strategies accepted by participants include psychological support, cancer education, assertive communication skills, and methods for improved interactions with healthcare providers and extended family. Conclusions: Participants’ responses align with the current literature, emphasizing problem-solving, mutual support, and communication strategies and underscoring the role of community partners. The study underlines the necessity for culturally tailored communication interventions for Latino families facing cancer. Full article

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19 pages, 379 KiB  
Systematic Review
Enhancing High Reliability in Oncology Care: The Critical Role of Nurses—A Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis
by Hiroko Komatsu, Akemi Hara, Fumiko Koyama and Yasuhiro Komatsu
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030283 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Background/objectives: The oncology setting is complex and recognized as a high-risk area, with an increased potential for errors due to the complexity of therapeutic modalities and different processes. Nurses are pivotal in fostering a culture of patient safety and high reliability and actively [...] Read more.
Background/objectives: The oncology setting is complex and recognized as a high-risk area, with an increased potential for errors due to the complexity of therapeutic modalities and different processes. Nurses are pivotal in fostering a culture of patient safety and high reliability and actively contribute to the enhancement of safety standards in oncology care. This review systematically identified and examined the critical role of nurses in promoting high reliability within oncology organizations to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochran Library databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Using Tomas and Harden’s three stages, 12 studies were deductively and thematically analyzed to discover themes. Results: We identified eight themes concerning nurses’ roles in achieving high reliability in healthcare within oncology organizations: establishing standardized and safe administration, enhancing situational awareness, promoting effective communication, advocating for patients, building a culture of safety, leading safety culture improvements, engaging staff, and fostering patient engagement. Conclusions: Nurses play a critical role in identifying, communicating, and correcting safety threats, overcoming various organizational barriers to safety concerns, and maintaining and developing a culture of safety for patients and families. Although this review included a relatively limited body of literature, the findings highlight the need for further research that considers the unique characteristics of health and healthcare systems. Protocol registry; UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) Registry No. UMIN000056140. Full article
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