Defense Date
11-8-2022
Graduation Date
Fall 12-16-2022
Availability
One-year Embargo
Submission Type
dissertation
Degree Name
PhD
Department
Nursing
School
School of Nursing
Committee Chair
Rick Zoucha
Committee Member
Joan Such Lockhart
Committee Member
Crystal S. Denlinger
Keywords
Participatory Action Research, Lung Cancer, Survivorship, Post-treatment Care
Abstract
Purpose: To explore the experiences of lung cancer survivors (LCS) and their informal and professional caregivers with post-treatment care and to empower them to implement action-based study findings.
Participants & Setting: Participants were recruited using purposeful and snowball sampling from an NCI-designated cancer center in Northeastern US.
Methodological Approach: This study used a participatory action research (PAR) four-phase design. Phase one was a focused ethnography; phase two utilized a core group of participants to decide an action to be implemented in phase three; and phase four evaluated the action for the completion of one PAR cycle.
Findings: Twenty-eight categories, eight patterns, and three themes were revealed. Themes included need for resources and education, advocacy and mentoring, and a focus on living versus surviving to promote well-being in LCS and caregivers. Themes were shared with participants, implemented, and evaluated. The action was creation of two flyers for lung cancer post-treatment support about resources and advocacy. Evaluation revealed agreement with themes and the action by all participants.
Implications for Nursing: Oncology nurses can use PAR to empower survivors in their post treatment care. Future PAR cycles should focus on creating support groups and alleviating stigma for LCS and their caregivers.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Filchner, K. (2022). Empowering Lung Cancer Survivors in Post-Treatment Survivorship Care Using Participatory Action Research (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/2211