Journal List > Asian Oncol Nurs > v.17(1) > 1081917

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

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.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

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

aon-17-55-i001
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
- 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

References

1. Ministry of Health and Welfare (KR). National Cancer Center (KR). Cancer facts & figures 2016 in the Republic of Korea. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare;2016.
2. Hallek M, Fischer K, Fingerle-Rowson G, Fink AM, Busch R, Mayer J, et al. Addition of rituximab to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2010; 376:1164–1174.
crossref
3. Ministry of Health and Welfare (KR). February 1, expanded health insurance coverage of treatment drugs of pancreatic cancer, leukemia etc. [Internet]. Accessed May 1, 2016. Available from: http://www.mohw.go.kr/front_new/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&CONT_SEQ=329807&page=1.
4. National Cancer Information Center (KR). Chemotherapy [Internet]. Accessed July 7, 2016. Available from: http://www.cancer.go.kr/mbs/cancer/subview.jsp?id=cancer_020403010000.
5. Seo JY, Yi M. Distress and quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Asian Oncol Nurs. 2015; 15:18–27.
crossref
6. Sabo BM. Adverse psychosocial consequences: compassion fatigue, burnout and vicarious traumatization: are nurses who provide palliative and hematological cancer care vulnerable? Indian J Palliat Care. 2008; 14:23–29.
crossref
7. Sinclair HA, Hamill C. Does vicarious traumatisation affect oncology nurses? A literature review. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2007; 11:348–356.
crossref
8. McHugh MD, Kutney-Lee A, Cimiotti JP, Sloane DM, Aiken LH. Nurses' widespread job dissatisfaction, burnout, and frustration with health benefits signal problems for patient care. Health Aff (Millwood). 2011; 30:202–210.
crossref
9. Leiter MP, Maslach C. Nurse turnover: the mediating role of burnout. J Nurs Manag. 2009; 17:331–339.
crossref
10. Park EY. Oncology nurses' experiences of counseling with cancer patients. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2008; 8:128–137.
11. Lee YS, Tae YS. The lived experience of the burnout of nurses working in oncology wards. Asian Oncol Nurs. 2012; 12:100–109.
crossref
12. Tae YS, Kwon S, Lee YS. The job experience of oncology nurse specialists. Asian Oncol Nurs. 2014; 14:236–248.
crossref
13. Kim HR, Kwon IS. A phenomenological study on oncology adaptation experiences of new nurses. Asian Oncol Nurs. 2014; 14:127–138.
crossref
14. Van Manen M. Researching lived experience: human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press;1990.
15. Online Etymology Dictionary. Care [Internet]. Accessed May 10, 2015. Available from: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=care.
16. Sandelowski M. The problem of rigor in qualitative research. ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 1986; 8:27–37.
crossref
17. Kim BK, Lee SL, Youn JH, Kim SM, Kim MH. Nurses' knowledge, compliance and exposure experiences with cytotoxic drugs in a university hospital. Glob Health Nurs. 2016; 6:11–19.
crossref
18. Jang YH. The miracle of being and to be. Seoul: Samtoh;2009.
19. Cho SJ. Obangdduk girl's happy days. Goyang: Chaegeulo yeoneun sesang;2010.
20. Sasaki M, Dakeishi M, Hoshi S, Ishii N, Murata K. Assessment of DNA damage in Japanese nurses handling antineoplastic drugs by the comet assay. J Occup Health. 2008; 50:7–12.
crossref
21. Dunniece U, Slevin E. Nurses' experiences of being present with a patient receiving a diagnosis of cancer. J Adv Nurs. 2000; 32:611–618.
crossref
22. Saltmarsh K, De Vries K. The paradoxical image of chemotherapy: a phenomenological description of nurses' experiences of administering chemotherapy. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2008; 17:500–508.
crossref
23. Skovholt TM, Grier TL, Hanson MR. Career counseling for longevity: self-care and burnout prevention strategies for counselor resilience. J Career Dev. 2001; 27:167–176.
crossref
24. Kang MJ, Park IS. Types of violence and coping methods experienced by general hospital nurses. J Korean Clin Nurs Res. 2015; 21:92–104.
25. Joung SA, Park KY. Influence of experiencing verbal abuse, job stress and burnout on nurses' turnover intention in hemodialysis units. J Korean Acad Nurs Adm. 2016; 22:189–198.
crossref
26. Sung MR, Yi M, Lee DY, Jang HY. Overcoming experiences of family members caring for elderly patients with dementia at home. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2013; 43:389–398.
crossref
27. Joo MS, Jang SN. Nursing experience in a hospital without guardians. Korean J Health Econ Policy. 2015; 21:33–57.
28. Cho HJ, Jung MS. Effect of empathy, resilience, self-care on compassion fatigue in oncology nurses. J Korean Acad Nurs Adm. 2014; 20:373–382.
crossref
29. Lee JY, Lee MJ, Pak SY. The impact of psychosocial health and self-nurturance on graduate nurse experience. J Korean Acad Nurs Adm. 2015; 21:459–468.
crossref
30. Hernandez G. The heART of self-C.A.R.I.N.G.: a journey to becoming an optimal healing presence to ourselves and our patients. Creat Nurs. 2009; 15:129–133.
crossref
TOOLS
Similar articles