Providing Telephone-Based Support for Patients With Haematological Malignancies: A Qualitative Investigation of Expert Nurses

Abstract

Background

Telephone-based interventions are frequently used to address cancer patient’s needs, often delivered by nurses; however, little is known about nurses’ opinions of such interventions.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate expert nurses’ perceptions of hemato-oncology patient’s needs, use of telephone interventions providing support and symptom management and intervention acceptability from a service provider perspective. A qualitative study was undertaken with focus group and individual interview. Inductive and deductive data analysis was performed using Framework Analysis and the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability.

Results

Two themes emerged: (1) perceived needs of haemato-oncology patients across the cancer trajectory – multifactorial influences, dynamic information needs, and continuity of care, (2) acceptability for nurses delivering interventions was determined by identification of need, agreed expectations and organisational support for the intervention.

Conclusions

Greater understanding of contextual factors for recipients and individuals delivering healthcare interventions may contribute to identification of potential barriers and facilitators to adoption in clinical practice.