Objective: Brain tumors, a cancer that affects the cortical
processes, have a substantial social impact. Typically, malignant glioma
is a brain tumor with a poor prognosis; few patients survive more than two
years after diagnosis. In the last several years, different groups have
documented how this disease affects a patient's quality of life.
These findings have resulted in new ways for nurses to improve the care
for these patients and their spouses. However, these initiatives have not
been studied in a systematic way. This study investigates how patients
with malignant glioma and their families respond to a special nurse, a
nurse specifically instructed to address the needs of the patient and the
patient's family.
Methods: Sixteen patients and their next-of kin were
included. At the time of diagnosis, the special nurse offered to serve as
a resource to the patient and the patient's family. During the whole
course of the disease, the nurse recorded her interactions with the
patients and the patients' family. In addition, the spouses were
interviewed after the patient's death. Data was analysed
qualitatively with focus on tasks and relationships.
Results: Four relationships between the special nurse and the
family were detected: 1) a resource for the whole family; 2) a parallel
resource within the family; 3) a resource for the next-of kin; and 4) a
resource for the patient. Most of the patients and their families found
this program beneficial. The nurse provided the patient and family with
several functions. In some cases the family and nurse interaction
developed into a closer relationship, a relationship based on the
nurse's availability and concern for the patient's and
family's welfare.
Significance of Results: This close relationship underlines
the importance of the nurse's professionalism and a systemic
perspective for understanding the nurse's function within the milieu
of a cancer patient's family.