‘I’m Here, I’m Part of This as Well’: Supporting the Contextualised Needs of Female Partners of Prostate Cancer Survivors Living in Rural/Remote Areas—A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Female partners of prostate cancer (PCa) survivors are a cohort of cancer carers exposed to social and economic vulnerability. This vulnerability can be compounded by the impact of living in rural/remote areas, yet the experiences of these partners have received little attention and a gender-based approach is needed. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to examine the experiences of female partners of PCa survivors living in rural/remote areas across Australia and their needs and preferences for support. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 female partners from 2020 to 2023. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Female partners were simultaneously dealing with the accumulated impact on their well-being of the carer role in addition to broader familial and community obligations. Negative interactions with health professionals when engaging local services in the support role were difficult to navigate given a lack of alternative healthcare options. Multiple financial and well-being challenges were associated with travelling away from home in support of their partners seeking treatment. PCa specialist nurses (PCSNs) were integral to supporting female partners, and they also accessed peer support and identified the need for clinician prompting to bolster their personal agency in seeking support for their own well-being. Supporting the well-being of these female partners requires consideration of accumulated life stressors and the realities of living in rural/remote locations. Primary healthcare clinicians and PCSNs are in a unique position to provide contextualised support for these female partners through routine assessment and referral to appropriate support as part of survivorship care.