The Experiences of Patients Who Participated in a Family Involvement Program After Abdominal Cancer Surgery: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Abstract

To prepare patients' families for active care roles after discharge, a family involvement program was developed. We aimed to gain in-depth insight into patients' well-being and experience during the program regarding the active involvement of family caregivers after oncological gastrointestinal cancer surgery during their hospital stay. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 patients who participated in the program. Patients emphasized that participation in the program gave them a sense of feeling at home. They reported that having a family caregiver on their side during hospitalization strengthened their existing relationship and contributed to their recovery by motivating them. Patients felt safer and more confident. Although patients described predominantly positive results, they also mentioned that unclear guidance from nurses made them feel less safe, especially when they saw their family caregivers struggling. Patients experience being accompanied and cared for by their family caregivers as meaningful and contributory to their recovery. Patients felt safer, more confident, and more relaxed.