A stepped nurse-led LARS clinic: A qualitative evaluation.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the significance of a stepped nurse-led low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) clinic for patients. A Nurse-Led Clinic (NLC) with a stepped intervention approach for patients with LARS was developed and implemented. An exploratory study was conducted in three hospitals to evaluate the nurse-led clinic. Adult rectal cancer patients experiencing LARS who attended the NLC were recruited via maximum variation sampling for semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was performed, employing researcher triangulation to enhance reliability. Seventeen participants were interviewed to evaluate the clinic. Participants described five characteristics: (1) presence of the nurse, (2) accessibility, (3) providing recognition, affirmation and understanding, (4) coordinating and (5) timing of the consultation. In addition, participants outlined four principal tasks: (1) providing information, (2) management of symptoms, (3) support and (4) follow-up and continuity of care. The NLC offered meaningful support by addressing patients' concerns comprehensively. It normalised the condition, empowered patients with tailored information and provided effective symptom management strategies. SRQR checklist.