Udeboende børn som pårørende – Når far er syg

Resumé
Baggrund
Udeboende børn som pårørende til en alvorlig syg forælder er en sårbar og overset gruppe.
Formål
At undersøge hvilke behov patienter med uhelbredelig tarmkræft og deres udeboende børn i alderen 18-28 år har for støtte og inddragelse i fædrenes sygdomsforløb, og hvordan sygeplejesker kan støtte dem.
Metode
Et kvalitativt studie indeholdende tre semistrukturerede interviews med tre mandlige patienter med uhelbredelig tarmkræft.
Resultater
Projektet viser fem temaer:
”Den mandlige patient - Når far er syg”, ”Usynlig sygdom”, ”Åben og ærlig kommunikation”, ”Forældreskab som største bekymring”, ”Mit barns behov”.
Konklusion
Patienterne har behov for åben og ærlig kommunikation med deres børn om sygdommen, men oplever bekymring forbundet med ærligheden. Et paradoks ses mellem patientens behov for at bevare normaliteten og deres børns behov for information. Manglende tilbøjelighed til at tage imod tilbud om støtte og vejledning, kan være kønsbetinget. Sundhedsprofessionelle har ansvaret for at identificere de udeboende børn og deres behov samt formidle tilbud om støtte.

Nøgleord: Kommunikation, palliativ indsats, tarmkræft, udeboende børn, pårørende inddragelse, uhelbredelig sygdom.

English abstract

Young adults as relatives - When dad is sick

Introduction
The article sheds light on the needs of fathers with incurable bowel cancer and their non-resident children for involvement in the disease, potentially inspiring new approaches and solutions in the field. The impact of gender on the propensity to accept offers of support, with men often being less likely to seek help, and how this can affect the involvement of children living away from home. The article presents concrete examples of development initiatives in practice, offering a beacon of hope in meeting the information and involvement needs of male patients and their non-resident children.

Background: Young adults as relatives of seriously ill parents are vulnerable and overlooked.
Aim: To investigate the needs of support related to involvement of young adults aged 18-28 whose parents are living with incurable bowel cancer.
Method: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with three males diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer.
Findings: The study resulted in five themes: "The male patient - When dad is sick", "Invisible illness", "Open and honest communication", "Parenthood as the biggest concern ", "The needs of my child".
Conclusion: Patients want open and honest communication with their children about the disease. However, they have concerns about their honesty. A paradox is found between the patient's need to maintain normality and their children’s need for information. An unwillingness to accept offers of support and guidance may be gendered. Healthcare professionals are responsible for identifying the needs of young adults whose parents are critically ill.

Keywords: Communication, palliative care, bowel cancer, young adults, involvement of relatives, incurable disease