A cancer specific middle-range theory of symptom self-care management: A theory synthesis

This article describes the development of a middle-range theory of symptom self-care management for adults with cancer.

Current evidence indicates that people with cancer may benefit from engagement in self-care management behaviours, one of which is symptom management. A middle-range theory that explains and guides symptom self-care management in people with cancer is lacking.

This paper combines and expands prior work related to symptom management and self-care management to introduce a newly synthesized theory of symptom self-care management for adult people with cancer. Walker and Avant's methodological approach was used to guide this theory synthesis.

PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases of peer reviewed journal articles published before 15 March 2018.

The newly synthesized theory conceptualizes cancer as a chronic illness with related symptoms that persist beyond the acute phase of treatment. This theory sheds the light on self-care management as an essential approach to managing cancer-related symptoms and underscores the importance of empowering and enabling people with cancer to manage their symptoms in partnership with healthcare providers.

The new theory offers a comprehensive conceptualization of symptom self-care management behaviours in adults with cancer. It clarifies potential determinants and effects of cancer-related symptoms and puts forth factors that may influence patient adherence to symptom self-care management behaviours. This new theory may influence the development of symptom management interventions across the phases of the cancer self-care continuum. Research to test the new theory is warranted.