Focus Group Study on Psychosocial Distress of Cancer Patients

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe psychosocial difficulties experienced by cancer patients. Methods: Three focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data from 19 outpatients with cancer undergoingtreatments during2009. All interviewswereaudio-recordedand transcribedverbatim. The datawere analyzed using constant comparative analysisof grounded theory. Results:As a result of constant comparative analysis, 'psychosocial distress' was identified as a core category, and seven subcategories were identified. 'Plunged intonegativeemotions'and 'damaged self-identity' were identified as major categories in the individual dimension. 'Difficulty in dealing with diagnosis' and 'hasty expectations and concerns' were identified in the dimensionoffamily. 'Inefficientcommunication' and'lackof necessaryinformation'wereidentifiedinthedimension of healthcare setting.'Lonelyjourneyintoastrangeterritory'wasidentifiedinthedimensionof society. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that cancer patients experience a wide range of psychosocial problems. Thus, in assessingandrelieving psychosocial distressof cancer patients, it isnecessary tofocusnot onlyonthe level of the individual but also on the levels of family, health care setting, and society in general is necessary.