Close, But Still Too Far: The Experience of Australian People With Cancer Commuting From a Regional to a Capital City for Radiotherapy Treatment

Hegney, Desley, Pearce, Susanne, Rogers-Clark, Cath, Martin-McDonald, K. and Buikstra, Elizabeth (2005) Close, But Still Too Far: The Experience of Australian People With Cancer Commuting From a Regional to a Capital City for Radiotherapy Treatment. European Journal of Cancer Care, 14 1: 75-82.

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Author Hegney, Desley
Pearce, Susanne
Rogers-Clark, Cath
Martin-McDonald, K.
Buikstra, Elizabeth
Title Close, But Still Too Far: The Experience of Australian People With Cancer Commuting From a Regional to a Capital City for Radiotherapy Treatment
Journal name European Journal of Cancer Care  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2005-03-01
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2005.00525.x
Volume number 14
Issue number 1
ISSN 0961-5423
Start page 75
End page 82
Total pages 8
Editor Patt Webb
Place of publication London
Publisher Blackwell Science
Language eng
Subject 329999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
Abstract This paper reports the findings of a study undertaken in November 2001 on the experiences of 17 rural people from the regional city of Toowoomba who had been diagnosed with cancer and were required to travel to the capital city of Queensland (Brisbane) for radiotherapy. The interviews were tape recorded; the recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed for emergent themes and subthemes, following verification by the participants that the transcription was a true record of their experience. The major themes that arose from the study were (1) the burden of travel; (2) the difficulties of living in accommodation that is not one's own home; (3) the financial burden caused by the need to relocate or travel to and from Brisbane; (4) the lack of closeness to family and friends; (5) and feelings of being a burden on others. The findings suggest that at a time of stress, an increasing burden is placed on cancer clients and their families if they are required to travel for radiotherapy. Health professionals who read the results of this study should be aware of the isolation of rural people who have to live in an unfamiliar environment at a time of great stress. Support mechanisms should be put into place in these referral centres to deal with these stressors.
Keyword radiotherapy
travel
rural people
financial
psychosocial
treatment
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Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ
Additional Notes Originally published as Hegney, Desley and Pearce, Susanne and Rogers-Clark, Cath and Martin-McDonald, K and Buikstra, Elizabeth (2005) Close, but still too far. The experience of Australian people with cancer commuting from a regional to a capital city for radiotherapy treatment, European Journal of Cancer Care, 14 (1): 75-82. Copyright 2005 Blackwell Publishing. All rights reserved.

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) - Collection
School of Nursing and Midwifery Publications
 
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Created: Mon, 22 Aug 2005, 10:00:00 EST by Desley Hegney on behalf of School of Nursing and Midwifery