Gender-based exploration of the experiences of the female partners of prostate cancer survivors living in rural/remote areas: a qualitative study

Gender-based exploration of the experiences of the female partners of prostate cancer survivors living in rural/remote areas: a qualitative study

Objective: Generate insight to guide the design of psycho-social support for female partners of prostate cancer (PCa) survivors living in rural/remote regions of Australia.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 female partners of PCa survivors living in rural/ remote regions to explore their experiences. The general inductive approach was used to analyse data.

Results: Women were simultaneously dealing with broader familial issues and interpersonal dynamics within their local communities while navigating PCa. Accessing local health care to assist their partners posed challenges around maintaining privacy and a lack of choice around clinicians. Multiple financial and wellbeing challenges were associated with travelling away from home in support of their partners seeking treatment. Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses (PCSNs) were integral to supporting women, although more PCSNs in rural/remote areas were needed to increase their availability to partners. Women accessed peersupport and identified the need for specific promoting from clinicians to bolster their personal agency in seeking support for their own wellbeing.

Conclusion and clinical implications: Supporting the psycho-social wellbeing of these female partners requires consideration of accumulated life stressors and the realities of living in rural/remote locations. PCSNs are in a unique position to provide psycho-social support for these women as part of the provision of survivorship care in rural/remote areas.

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