Longing to get back on track: Patients’ experiences and supportive care needs after lung cancer surgery

Aims and objectives This study aims to describe surgically treated lung cancer patients’ experiences of coming home after discharge from hospital to expand the knowledge about their supportive care needs. Background Existing research reports that patients suffer from a high symptom burden after lung cancer surgery. Such burden has negative impacts on their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Few studies have explored the surgically treated patients’ supportive care needs after being discharged from hospital. Design This study used a qualitative descriptive design, following the EQUATOR guidelines (COREQ). Methods The information about 14 patients’ experiences was collected from semi‐structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in their homes within three weeks after their discharge from hospital. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results The main theme of the study, “Longing to get back on track with their lives”, consisted of four categories: “Burdened with problems related to postoperative symptoms and treatment”, “Struggling for the needed support”, “A pendulum between being in need of support and being independent”, and “Striving to adapt to a new way of life”. The participants experienced many problems related to postoperative symptoms and treatment. Information and support from healthcare professionals were deficient. Life was characterised by striving to be independent and adapting to a new lifestyle. Conclusions The findings demonstrate the supportive care needs of surgically treated lung cancer patients. Nurses and other healthcare professionals could offer more individualised support during the first few weeks after the patients’ discharge by including them and their caregivers in the discharge planning. Relevance to clinical practice Knowledge of patients’ perspectives and experiences of everyday life at home after lung cancer surgery can provide hospital nurses with a better understanding of what is important for such patients beyond hospitalisation. This knowledge should be included in discharge planning.