Tea Metsävainio

Multiprofessional Family Care for Women With Gynaecological Cancer

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study was to determine how family care is implemented in the care of women with gynaecological cancer from the perspective of health professionals in Finland. Design Multiphase convergent mixed‐methods research. Methods This study is based on two datasets collected from one Finnish university hospital. The first dataset was collected from health professionals ( n  = 20) in one Finnish university hospital inpatient unit in 2023. The second dataset is based on non‐participant observational cases ( n  = 137) of health professionals in the spring of 2024. The quantitative data were analysed using both parametric and non‐parametric tests. The qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The quantitative results of the first and second phases together confirm the gap between the lack of competence and the attitudes of health professionals towards their own communication skills. The qualitative results revealed two main themes: (1) increasing competence towards a more comprehensive patient care process and (2) increasing the sense of safety by sharing timely information between professionals, patients, and relatives. Conclusion Family‐oriented working and communication between professionals is incidental and individual‐dependent. Increased competence and more effective sharing and exchange of care information between professionals can improve the quality of care. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care The study was able to identify important areas of family care for professionals to improve their clinical practice. Impact This study addressed clinical competence, as demonstrated by the family care perspective. Family care is recognised as an important part of the care of gynaecological cancer patients and requires increased competence. This study aims to raise awareness among health professionals and policymakers about the current state of family care in Finland. Reporting Method This study was prepared and reported according to the STROBE checklist. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.