Healthcare workers' real experiences with lung cancer: a qualitative study in China

Healthcare professionals represent a major group among the patients diagnosed with lung cancer. The objective of this research is to explore the real experience of healthcare workers after being diagnosed with lung cancer to provide a reference for clinical intervention.

Patients were recruited at Xiangyang Central Hospital from February 2020 to October 2023 using purposive sampling to select the subjects. The data was analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis after conducting semi-structured interviews utilizing phenomenological methodologies.

Out of the 26 eligible patients, 24 received an invitation, and 21 consented to participate in the study. Finally, 18 patients completed the interview process. Four categories and nine themes were identified: (1) psychological experience(denial and doubt, anger and complaints, grief, and grievance); (2) therapeutic experience(difficulty in choosing treatment modalities and worry about the treatment); (3) coping experience(respond positively and poor role reversal); and (4) work experience (disease attributed to work and concerns about returning to work).

These findings significantly contribute to comprehending the emotions experienced by medical practitioners with lung cancer. Medical practitioners who have been diagnosed with lung cancer undergo intricate psychological experiences. To offer effective assistance, customized support can be provided by facilitating role changes, improving the shift system and the establishing a safe working environment in clinical work.