Abstract
The purpose of this study is to clarify nursing intervention to derive alternative phonation in laryngectomy patients from the period just prior to undergoing surgery until becoming an outpatient after discharge from hospital. We showed how laryngectomy patients, (all of whom were members of self-help groups (SHG's) in beginner classes for developing esophageal speech skills) tackled aphonia, which meant losing their identities, and showed the reconstruction process of life-style management. We conducted an interview survey of 39 participants in the beginners' class for esophageal speech skill development, and analyzed verbatim records both qualitatively and inductively. We divided the results into 6 categories; "the meaning of aphonia", "effects of aphonia", "need for acquisition of esophageal speech skills", "recognition of the need for voice training", "efforts to acquire esophageal speech skills", and "efforts for daily life". Nurses should support the health states and daily lives of laryngectomy patients and their families, and also provide information about SHG's to patients.
