Next of kin of cancer patients - challenges in the situation and experiences from a next of kin course.

Purpose: To gain more knowledge about the challenges facing the next of kin of cancer patients and how a cognitive-based course for these next of kin helps them handling the challenges they are facing.

Methods: Focus groups were used to explore the experiences, thoughts, and perceptions of the next of kin about specific challenges and their participation in the course. A thematic content analytical approach was used.

Results: Three focus groups were convened with each group consisting of 4-7 adults. A total of 9 women and 7 men, aged 32 to 78 years, were included in the sample. The following two main themes emerged in the results: Fighting three battles and From distance to acceptance. This study shows that the difficult situations next of kin experience require the next of kin to gain a new understanding of challenges, which involves a comprehensive learning process.

Conclusion: The results suggest that a cognitively oriented course for the next of kin fill a need for help for them to learn and cope, but further research in this area is recommended.