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”Being ill was the easy part” : exploring cancer survivors’ reactions to perceived challenges in engaging with primary healthcare

Garpenhag, Lars LU ; Halling, Anders LU ; Calling, Susanna LU ; Rosell, Linn LU orcid and Larsson, Anna Maria LU (2024) In International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 19(1).
Abstract

Purpose: Cancer survivors experience barriers to primary healthcare (PHC) services. The aim was to explore reactions to and opinions about perceived challenges associated with PHC access and quality among cancer survivors in Sweden, including how they have acted to adapt to challenges. Methods: Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with cancer survivors (n = 20) from Skåne, Sweden, diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer or malignant melanoma. Focus groups were mixed in regard to diagnosis. Data were analysed using a descriptive template analysis approach. Results: In light of perceived challenges associated with access to adequate PHC, participants experienced that they had been forced to work... (More)

Purpose: Cancer survivors experience barriers to primary healthcare (PHC) services. The aim was to explore reactions to and opinions about perceived challenges associated with PHC access and quality among cancer survivors in Sweden, including how they have acted to adapt to challenges. Methods: Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with cancer survivors (n = 20) from Skåne, Sweden, diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer or malignant melanoma. Focus groups were mixed in regard to diagnosis. Data were analysed using a descriptive template analysis approach. Results: In light of perceived challenges associated with access to adequate PHC, participants experienced that they had been forced to work hard to achieve functioning PHC contacts. The demands for self-sufficiency were associated with negative feelings such as loneliness and worry. Participants believed that cancer survivors who lack the ability to express themselves, or sufficient drive, risk missing out on necessary care due to the necessity of being an active patient. Conclusions: The findings highlight negative patient experiences. They have implications for the organization of care for cancer survivors as they indicate a need for more efficient post-treatment coordination between cancer specialist care and PHC providers, as well as increased support for patients leaving primary cancer treatment.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
cancer survivors, health services accessibility, Primary healthcare, Qualitative research, Sweden
in
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
volume
19
issue
1
article number
2361492
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:38824662
  • scopus:85195001406
ISSN
1748-2623
DOI
10.1080/17482631.2024.2361492
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
fee272d3-ac0d-4aad-8132-4391b36a4596
date added to LUP
2024-11-06 15:00:27
date last changed
2025-07-03 12:49:59
@article{fee272d3-ac0d-4aad-8132-4391b36a4596,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: Cancer survivors experience barriers to primary healthcare (PHC) services. The aim was to explore reactions to and opinions about perceived challenges associated with PHC access and quality among cancer survivors in Sweden, including how they have acted to adapt to challenges. Methods: Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with cancer survivors (n = 20) from Skåne, Sweden, diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer or malignant melanoma. Focus groups were mixed in regard to diagnosis. Data were analysed using a descriptive template analysis approach. Results: In light of perceived challenges associated with access to adequate PHC, participants experienced that they had been forced to work hard to achieve functioning PHC contacts. The demands for self-sufficiency were associated with negative feelings such as loneliness and worry. Participants believed that cancer survivors who lack the ability to express themselves, or sufficient drive, risk missing out on necessary care due to the necessity of being an active patient. Conclusions: The findings highlight negative patient experiences. They have implications for the organization of care for cancer survivors as they indicate a need for more efficient post-treatment coordination between cancer specialist care and PHC providers, as well as increased support for patients leaving primary cancer treatment.</p>}},
  author       = {{Garpenhag, Lars and Halling, Anders and Calling, Susanna and Rosell, Linn and Larsson, Anna Maria}},
  issn         = {{1748-2623}},
  keywords     = {{cancer survivors; health services accessibility; Primary healthcare; Qualitative research; Sweden}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being}},
  title        = {{”Being ill was the easy part” : exploring cancer survivors’ reactions to perceived challenges in engaging with primary healthcare}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2361492}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/17482631.2024.2361492}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}