Therapeutic itinerary revealed by the family members of individuals with mesothelioma: Multiple case studies

Abstract

Objective: To describe the therapeutic itinerary revealed by the relatives of individuals with mesothelioma. Method: A multiple case study with a qualitative approach. Six family members of the cases occurred in the state of Paraná (Brazil). Data was collected from medical records and interviews between January and July 2016 and submitted to comparative and content analysis, supported by the Health Care System framework. Results: Seven categories emerged from the data: Acknowledgment of the illness; Popular care and the attempt to escape from the illness; The popular subsystem directs to the professional subsystem; Professional subsystem: Unraveling the mystery of the disease; Family: Care supremacy; Religion: Hope and encouragement; and Disease due to mesothelioma from the perspective of the family member. Conclusion: The therapeutic itinerary was built from early symptoms detection and common sense practices. The family was the central unit of care; the professional subsystem, with the challenge of diagnosing the disease, and religion, which represented the person’s and family members’ hope. Studying the topic can contribute to improve the planning of the health actions promoted to individuals with mesothelioma, from the diagnosis process, treatment to death.