Table 7 Similarities and differences in intermittent symptom management of patients receiving CRC chemotherapy from different perspectives

Role and positioning

Serving as a beacon for symptom management, thereby providing direction and support.

As a helmsman for symptom management, expressing feelings regarding the symptomatic response.

Medical staff focus more closely on guidance and support, while patients focus more closely on symptom perception and real-time feedback.

Both parties share an emphasis on the importance of symptom management.

Symptoms of perception and assessment

Evaluation and assessment based on medical standards and clinical experience.

Identifying and understanding the situation in line with their personal experience and feelings.

Medical staff focus more closely on objective assessment, while patients focus more closely on subjective experience.

Both parties perceive the symptoms to facilitate effective management.

Symptomatic reaction

Implement various interventions, such as by adjusting treatment programmes or providing psychological support.

Emotional responses, behavioural changes, and adaptability to treatment.

The responses of medical staff are more biased towards professional interventions, while patients’ responses are more personal.

Both parties must respond to symptoms with the goal of optimizing management strategies.

Symptom management strategy

Establish a home support system for patients, develop a home symptom management programme based on the “Tri-Dimensional and Tri-Attribute” model, and strengthen patient education.

Real-time, specific, and clear information and advice.

Medical staff emphasize active adaptive coping behaviours, while patients are more willing to listen to physicians but emphasize the accessibility and utility of information.

Both parties agree regarding the importance of information needs, but the details and real-time characteristics of their demands differ.

Symptom management effect

Patients actively participate in the process of symptom management and the formulation of a treatment plan, help establish a comprehensive support system, and seek to reduce clinical work pressure.

Participation in the symptom management process can enhance the self-efficacy of the treatment and focus on the actual feelings that occur in the process of symptom management.

Medical staff focus more closely on the formulation and implementation of programmes, while patients focus more closely on symptom relief and the improvement of their quality of life.

Both parties agree regarding the importance of symptom management with respect to improving patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes

Challenges associated with symptom management

Role overload, information barriers, caregiver avoidance, etc.

Multidimensional symptom distress, diverse coping strategies, lack of knowledge and skills pertaining to symptom management, etc.

The challenges faced by medical staff are more likely to result from occupational stress and resource constraints, while those faced by patients are more likely to result from personal experiences and support needs.

Both parties face challenges, but their specific performance and needs differ.