Coping with Chemotherapy-Related Adverse Events in Patients with Relapsed Leukemia

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the structure of coping with chemotherapy-related adverse events in patients with relapsed leukemia and to examine the effective management of adverse events. This study using semi-structured interviews explored coping of seven hospitalized patients with relapsed leukemia. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. The core category of the patient’s coping process was “learning efficient coping without wasting energy”. The coping process consisted of four main categories：‘Dealing with one’s disease by controlling symptoms’, ‘Proper control of adverse events’, ‘Continue effective preventive measures’, ‘Accept treatment with will to live’

Patients with relapsed leukemia who aim to complete severe chemotherapy had to learn efficient coping behavior that doesn’t waste energy to avoid exhaustion. Nurses need to understand the structure of coping which patients learned through their experience, and examine the manner of delivering information and educational intervention to patients.