Ce. Rees et al., The information concerns of spouses of women with breast cancer: patients'and spouses' perspectives, J ADV NURS, 28(6), 1998, pp. 1249-1258
A user-centred study employing focus group methodology was conducted in the
United Kingdom in order to establish the key information concerns of spous
es of women with breast cancer from both patients' and spouses' perspective
s. Four unstructured focus group discussions were convened, three with wome
n with breast cancer (n = 11, n = 7 and n = 12) and one with spouses (n = 9
), The discussions were audio-taped and transcribed in full. All transcript
s were analysed manually using theme analysis and considered patterns commo
n to the data, Themes were established and corresponding quotations used to
support all themes, Emergent themes were grouped into the following catego
ries: information needs of spouses; sources of information for spouses; and
family information. Several important points emerged within each of these
categories and these are discussed. Validity was established by participant
evaluation of the findings. Findings clearly indicate the key information
concerns of spouses from patients' and spouses' perspectives. These finding
s are of value to health care professionals and have a number of nursing im
plications. The study also highlights particular areas where further resear
ch and development are needed.