The laryngectomy patient’s need for support groups in a hospital setting : a social work perspective
Date
2009-03
Authors
Steyn, Beatrix Hendrina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
A laryngectomy is mostly indicated as treatment for an advanced stage of cancer of
the larynx, during which the patient’s voice box is removed. This operation can hold
major psycho-social implications for the patient and family. To cope with the
challenges in daily life, patients need social support. A lack of available literature
and research regarding the role of the social worker in facilitating support groups for
these patients and families was identified and motivated this research study.
The goal of the study was to gain a better understanding of the laryngectomy
patient’s need for support groups in a hospital setting when attending the follow-up
clinic at the hospital. A combination of both the exploratory and descriptive research
designs together with a combination of mainly a qualitative and to a certain extent
the quantitative research approaches, was used. From this, knowledge, insight and
an understanding of the need for support groups in a hospital setting from a social
work perspective were obtained. Permission to conduct the proposed study was
granted by the Committee for Human Research at the University of Stellenbosch.
The literature study first focused on medical aspects of a laryngectomy and social
work intervention services within a hospital setting as part of the multi-disciplinary
approach. Second, psycho-social effects of a laryngectomy from an ecological
perspective were discussed, referring to the physical, social and psychological
effects of surgery upon the patient and family. Third, support and aftercare were
discussed with specific reference to the role of the social worker in offering social
support to the patient and family.
For the empirical study, twenty laryngectomy patients from the service area of
Tygerberg Hospital were involved from January 2008 to May 2008. Criteria for
inclusion in the study referred to patients who had their operation not less than three
months previously, attended the support group during follow-up visits at the hospital
and who had successfully acquired tragea-oesophageal speech. Based on the
literature review, a semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interview were
used as research instruments to overcome the limitation of illiteracy.
The results of the investigation mainly confirmed the findings of the literature study
namely that laryngectomy patients can benefit from support groups in order to
address their need for social support in dealing with daily life challenges. Patients
indicated that they mainly needed information regarding post-operative adaptation as
this was where problems were mostly experienced. The majority of patients
suggested the use of support groups in this regard. Focus was placed on an
exploration and description of patients’ needs for such support groups. Benefits of
support groups were found to be totally compatible with the role of the social worker.
The results therefore gave an indication of social work intervention services and
referred to: provision of information, problem-solving, offer of social and emotional
support, and promotion of rehabilitation opportunities, thereby improving the patient’s
quality of life.
Recommendations were aimed at social work intervention services relating to
support and aftercare offered to laryngectomy patients and relatives. Future
research to develop social work programmes for health care professionals in order
to effectively support these patients and their families was proposed. From practical
experience of support groups a study regarding the role of pre- and primary
schoolchildren or grandchildren in the rehabilitation of laryngectomy patients was
also suggested.
Description
Thesis (M Social Work(Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch,2009.
Keywords
Theses -- Social work, Dissertations -- Social work