This study examines the self-directed learning experiences of women with breast cancer. The common elements in the experiences of 13 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within 3 years prior to the study were identified through analysis of semistructured interviews. The findings indicate that the participants' self-directed learning efforts were beneficial in a number of ways. Problems commonly encountered in self-directed learning included difficulty locating and evaluating resources and the affect of negative emotions. The study contributes to current understanding of self-directed learning in a crisis situation and provides valuable information on self-directed learning in an area at the intersection of adult education and health care.
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