Purpose: This study aimed to synthesize evidence of cancer patients' experiences of self-management of chemotherapy treatment-related symptoms.
Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify all qualitative or mixed studies published between January 2007 and December 2018, addressing the experiences of patients under 18 years submitted to chemotherapy treatments. A search in databases MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection was performed using specific key terms and Boolean operators. A thematic analysis was designed to synthesize the main findings of the included studies.
Results: From a total of 1.775 identified articles, 21 studies were included. Three main themes emerged and were grouped into different categories: Facilitators (e.g., "personality characteristics", "behavioural strategies", "emotional management") related to several aspects viewed globally as favourable to the self-management; Inhibitors (e.g. "symptoms-physical effects", "symptoms-emotional effect", "symptoms-change in self-care") related to several aspects that can globally make the experience of the self-management more difficult or painful; and Supports ("professionals care", "family or others" and "information/knowledge") including variables or factors which were identified by patients as supports to meet their needs perceived during the process of self-management of chemotherapy treatment-related symptoms.
Conclusion: Patients' experiences of the disease and symptoms self-management are diversified and require tailored nursing care, personal motivation and constructive attitudes towards chemotherapy-related symptoms. To identify facilitators and inhibitors to the self-management process will provide substantial contributions to patient-centered nursing interventions, promoting a healthier transition process.
Keywords: Antineoplastic agents; Experience; Qualitative research; Self-management; Thematic synthesis.
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