Department of Nursing Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/250

Browse

Browsing Department of Nursing Sciences by Author "Magadla, N.I. N."

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Patients’ perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital, Buffalo City, Eastern Cape.
    (University of Fort Hare, 2014) Matwele, Caroline Ntombekaya; Magadla, N.I. N.
    The aim of the study was to: explore and describe patient’s perceptions regarding commencement of treatment following diagnosis with breast cancer at Frere Hospital in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Reasons why patients diagnosed with breast cancer delay in the commencement of the treatment were to be elicited and strategies for curbing the problem were looked into. A qualitative approach was used, with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. The purposive sampling technique was used. The sample comprised 15 participants, 14 Black Africans and 1 Coloured lady. Data were collected using an interview guide from female patients diagnosed with breast cancer whose age ranged from 18-72 years. Interviews were recorded on a tape. Tesch’s (1990) steps of qualitative data analysis guided the analysis process. The results revealed that being diagnosed with breast cancer is perceived as a traumatic and painful experience with negative emotional, social, physical impact and unbearable side effects of from the treatment. Fear of undergoing treatment emerged as a barrier for taking prompt treatment. In exploring, one needs to use empathy, particularly that the researcher engaged in bringing to surface painful information. With the use of understanding and broad mindedness, participants opened up. Recommendations were made regarding strategies for care.