Experiences of rehabilitation exercise during the transition from hospital to home among older patients following lung cancer surgery: a qualitative study guided by the social ecological model
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine ,The First Affiliated Hospital of Lishui University, Lishui People's Hospital
- 2Department of Nursing, Lishui Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
- 3Department of Nursing and Well-being, School of Nursing and Well-being, Changchun Humanities and Sciences College
- 4Department of Public Health, Lishui Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
Abstract
Background: Older patients who undergo lung cancer surgery often experience reduced lung function, exercise intolerance, and psychological distress during the transition from hospital to home. Understanding their postoperative rehabilitation exercise experiences is essential for improving rehabilitation exercise experiences and long-term outcomes.
Objective: Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study aimed to explore the experiences of rehabilitation exercise among older patients during the transition from hospital to home following lung cancer surgery and to identify multilevel factors influencing their participation.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 13 postoperative older patients who had undergone lung cancer surgery, recruited via purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed using the conventional content analysis method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.
Results: Three major themes and ten subthemes were identified, corresponding to different levels of the Social Ecological Model: (1) Micro-system level: symptom burden, psychological distress, uncertainty, adaptation, perceived benefits, and habit formation; (2) Meso-system level: family encouragement, companionship, and informational support; (3) Macro-system level: insufficient continuity of medical guidance, limited community rehabilitation resources, and inadequate insurance coverage for rehabilitation.
Conclusion: Rehabilitation exercise during the transition from hospital to home was influenced by individual, family, and healthcare-related factors. The findings may inform individualized exercise guidance, caregiver involvement, and continuity of professional follow-up after discharge.
Related
- After the Trip: A Qualitative Study of Healthy Individuals’ Motor Experiences Following Different Doses of Psilocybin
- Implementation Experiences of a School-Based Adolescent Nutrition Education Intervention: A Post-Intervention Qualitative Study Guided by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Social Ecological Model
- “Growth From Failure”: A Qualitative Study of NICU Nurses’ Psychological Experiences Following Failed Neonatal Resuscitation
- Lived Experiences Following Sepsis: Burden, Challenges, and Care Needs - A Qualitative Study
- Kinesiophobia following ACL reconstruction: a qualitative netnographic study of lived experiences shared on Reddit.
BibTeX
@article{dong2026experiences,
title = {{Experiences of rehabilitation exercise during the transition from hospital to home among older patients following lung cancer surgery: a qualitative study guided by the social ecological model}},
author = {Luga Dong and Yuanyuan Chen and Yi Shang and Yundong Gao and Jing Fu and Yuanling Gu and Lihong Jin and Xuli Shang},
journal = {Frontiers in Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fonc.2026.1763751},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1763751/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Experiences of rehabilitation exercise during the transition from hospital to home among older patients following lung cancer surgery: a qualitative study guided by the social ecological model
AU - Luga Dong
AU - Yuanyuan Chen
AU - Yi Shang
AU - Yundong Gao
AU - Jing Fu
AU - Yuanling Gu
AU - Lihong Jin
AU - Xuli Shang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in Oncology
DO - 10.3389/fonc.2026.1763751
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1763751/full
AB - Background: Older patients who undergo lung cancer surgery often experience reduced lung function, exercise intolerance, and psychological distress during the transition from hospital to home. Understanding their postoperative rehabilitation exercise experiences is essential for improving rehabilitation exercise experiences and long-term outcomes. Objective: Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study aimed to explore the experiences of rehabilitation exercise among older patients during the transition from hospital to home following lung cancer surgery and to identify multilevel factors influencing their participation. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 13 postoperative older patients who had undergone lung cancer surgery, recruited via purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed using the conventional content analysis method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Three major themes and ten subthemes were identified, corresponding to different levels of the Social Ecological Model: (1) Micro-system level: symptom burden, psychological distress, uncertainty, adaptation, perceived benefits, and habit formation; (2) Meso-system level: family encouragement, companionship, and informational support; (3) Macro-system level: insufficient continuity of medical guidance, limited community rehabilitation resources, and inadequate insurance coverage for rehabilitation. Conclusion: Rehabilitation exercise during the transition from hospital to home was influenced by individual, family, and healthcare-related factors. The findings may inform individualized exercise guidance, caregiver involvement, and continuity of professional follow-up after discharge.
SN - 2234-943X
ER -