A cancer specific middle-range theory of symptom self-care management: A theory synthesis

Abstract

Aim: This article describes the development of a middle-range theory of symptom self-care management for adults with cancer.

Background: Current evidence indicates that people with cancer may benefit from engagement in self-care management behaviours, one of which is symptom management. A middle-range theory that explains and guides symptom self-care management in people with cancer is lacking.

Design: This paper combines and expands prior work related to symptom management and self-care management to introduce a newly synthesized theory of symptom self-care management for adult people with cancer. Walker and Avant's methodological approach was used to guide this theory synthesis.

Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases of peer reviewed journal articles published before 15 March 2018.

Implications for nursing: The newly synthesized theory conceptualizes cancer as a chronic illness with related symptoms that persist beyond the acute phase of treatment. This theory sheds the light on self-care management as an essential approach to managing cancer-related symptoms and underscores the importance of empowering and enabling people with cancer to manage their symptoms in partnership with healthcare providers.

Conclusion: The new theory offers a comprehensive conceptualization of symptom self-care management behaviours in adults with cancer. It clarifies potential determinants and effects of cancer-related symptoms and puts forth factors that may influence patient adherence to symptom self-care management behaviours. This new theory may influence the development of symptom management interventions across the phases of the cancer self-care continuum. Research to test the new theory is warranted.

Keywords: cancer; nursing theory; self-care; symptom management.