Nurse and physiotherapy led follow-up for lung cancer patients after surgery
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Nurse and physiotherapy led follow-up for lung cancer patients after surgery

Nicola Bell Macmillan lung nurse specialist, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate District Hospital
Vera Davison Senior respiratory physiotherapist, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Maggie Peat Research nurse, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

This article describes a pilot study aimed at providing follow-up care for lung cancer patients who have undergone thoracic surgery in a district general hospital. A Macmillan lung nurse specialist and respiratory physiotherapist were involved in discussions with the patient about the expected effects of their surgery such as fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety and rehabilitation time, the likelihood of disease recurrence and referral to a programme for breathing control, positioning for relaxed breathing and correction of posture, if needed. The intervention proved successful in allaying patient fears about ‘the illness itself’, ‘treatment, ‘pain’ and ‘the future relating to the ‘illness’ and, to a lesser extent ‘bowels’ and ‘family and their emotions’.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 5, 7, 29-33. doi: 10.7748/cnp2006.09.5.7.29.c7582

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