Supportive care needs of adults living with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at home: a qualitative content analysis

BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are common vascular access devices inserted for adults undergoing intravenous treatment in the community setting.

Individuals with a PICC report challenges understanding information and adapting to the device both practically and psychologically at home.

There is a lack of research investigating the supportive care needs of individuals with a PICC to inform nursing assessment and the provision of additional supports they may require to successfully adapt to life with a PICC.

The aim of this study was to identify the supportive care needs of adults with cancer or infection living with a PICC at home.

METHOD: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were used to identify supportive care needs of adults living with a PICC at home.

Participants were recruited from cancer and infectious diseases outpatient units.

Two researchers independently analysed transcripts using content analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 15 participants were interviewed (30–87 years old).

There were 5 males and 10 females interviewed, 9 participants had a cancer diagnosis and most lived in a metropolitan area.

Many participants lived with a partner/spouse at home and three participants had young children.

Participants identified supportive care needs in the following eight categories (i (i) Adapting daily life (ii) Physical comfort (iii) Self-management (iv) Emotional impact (v) Information content (vi) Understanding information (vii) Healthcare resources and (viii) Social supports.

CONCLUSIONS: Adults living with a PICC at home report a broad range of supportive care needs.

In addition to practical and information needs, health consumers may also require support to accept living with a device inside their body and to assume responsibility for the PICC.

These findings may provide nurses with a greater understanding of individual needs and guide the provision of appropriate supports.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-023-01614-0.