Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of Nurses Working in a Chemotherapy Ward in Korea

Ji Young Seo; Myungsun Yi

doi:10.5388/aon.2017.17.1.55

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Seo and Yi: Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of Nurses Working in a Chemotherapy Ward in Korea

Original Article

Asian Oncology Nursing 2017; 17(1): 55-67.

Published online: 31 March 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2017.17.1.55

Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of Nurses Working in a Chemotherapy Ward in Korea

Ji Young Seo¹, Myungsun Yi²

¹College of Nursing, Graduate School of Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

²College of Nursing & Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Seo, Ji Young. College of Nursing, Graduate School of Seoul National University, 103 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea. Tel: +82-2-740-8460, Fax: +82-2-740-8837, sjy@snu.ac.kr

Received 4 January 2017 Revised 3 March 2017 Accepted 24 March 2017

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to understand and describe nurses' experiences of caring for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in chemotherapy wards.

Methods

Data were collected during 2015 by individual in-depth interviews with 10 nurses working in a chemotherapy ward. Transcribed data were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological method by van Manen.

Results

Six essential themes emerged from the analysis. ‘Struggle for safe administration of anticancer drugs,' represents the double effort for patients' safety while receiving anti-cancer drugs. ‘Compassion toward patients suffering from chemotherapy,' describes sympathy and empathy for patients and the transference of the pain caused by excessive empathy. ‘Frustration of caring for no further improvement of patients,' describes ambivalence and helplessness due to ineffective chemotherapy. ‘Disappointment of being the target of criticism,' illustrates the emotional injury caused by projection of anger and denigrated value of caring. ‘Motive power of caring: patients, family and colleagues,' represents the supportive relationship for caring. ‘Take-off for better care,' describes development as patients' advocator through introspection and self-management.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that a more supportive ward environment needs to be created to support and empower oncology nurses in order to provide the best care for cancer patients.

Keywords: Nurses, Experience, Chemotherapy, Qualitative Research

Figures and Tables

Table 1

The Essential Themes Identified from the Caring Experiences of Nurses Working in Chemotherapy Ward in Korea

Essential themes	Themes
Struggle for safe administration of anticancer drugs	- Double effort to perfectly comply with “5R”
	- Trauma amplified from accidents of anticancer drugs
	- Mind and body contaminated by exposure to anticancer drugs
Compassion toward patients suffering from chemotherapy	- Mind responded to suffering of patients
	- More mindful and intimate caring
	- Increasing fear by excessive empathy
Frustration of caring for no further improvement of patients	- Dilemma between pros and cons of chemotherapy
	- Repeated cycle of fruitless results of caring
Disappointed role as target of criticism	- Pitiable condition knocked down on all sides
Disappointed role as target of criticism	- Denigrated value of caring
Motive power of caring: patient, family and colleague	- Gratitude for appreciation from patients
	- Rediscovery of family values and preciousness
	- Colleagues as strong supporters
Take-off for better care	- Introspection about caring
	- Managing exhausted self
	- Matured advocator siding with patients

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