‘Nobody can take the stress away from me’: a qualitative study on experiences of partners of patients with cancer regarding their work and health

Abstract

Purpose

To explore experienced health- and work-related problems of partners of patients with cancer, and their needs for support.

Materials and methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Dutch partners of patients with cancer. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed thematically, following the six steps of Braun & Clarke.

Results

Of 20 included partners (mean age: 50 years [31–63]), 60% was female. Five themes consistently emerged from the data: 1) overwhelming chaos calls for taking control; 2) impact of prolonged stress; 3) flexibility and support of the employer are crucial; 4) coping with family and friends is a delicate matter; and 5) support from healthcare professionals is needed, but not a given.

Conclusions

Findings from this study show that the burden on partners of patients with cancer is substantial and cannot be overlooked. The state of survival mode that partners get into during the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of their loved ones can have various implications on their physical and mental health, and work situation. Given this high burden and as legislation for care leave from work and (health care) support for partners appear to be insufficiently in place in the Dutch context, there is a need for better-targeted support for partners of patients with cancer.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The survival mode that partners of patients with cancer get into during the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of their loved ones can have various implications on their physical and mental health, and work situation.

• This study showed that the burden on partners of patients with cancer is substantial and cannot be overlooked.

• Given this high burden and because legislation for care leave from work and (health care) support for partners appears to be insufficiently in place in the Dutch context, there is a need for better-targeted support for partners of patients with cancer.

Keywords:

• Cancer patient
• partner
• qualitative
• health outcomes
• work productivity
• support

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants that took part in this study.

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Financial support for this study was provided by the Dutch Cancer Society (project no. 11558). The funder did not play a role in designing or conducting the study, nor in reporting on the results.