A Qualitative Study of Self-Efficacy-Related Experiences and Needs in Postoperative Self- Management Among Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer

Background Postoperative self-management is critical for recovery in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, many struggle with complex physical, emotional, and informational challenges. Self-efficacy plays a key role in facilitating effective self-management, but little is known about how it is shaped by patients’ lived experiences, particularly in the Chinese context. Objective To explore the experiences, challenges, and needs that influence self-efficacy during postoperative self-management among Chinese patients with AGC. Methods This descriptive phenomenological study involved semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with nine postoperative AGC patients at a tertiary hospital in southern China. Data were analyzed inductively using Colaizzi’s seven-step method to identify key themes grounded in participants’ lived experiences. Results Three interrelated themes were identified: (1) Polarized awareness and deficiencies in self-management abilities, reflecting varied levels of health monitoring, confusion around symptom management, and inadequate nutritional knowledge; (2) Limited capacity for patient-provider communication and accessing reliable health information, marked by constrained clinical interactions and dependence on informal or inaccessible information sources; and (3) Varied emotional coping capacities, encompassing both family-supported resilience and deeply distressing emotional reactions. These findings reveal substantial gaps in postoperative education, psychosocial support, and health communication, all of which affect patients’ confidence and ability to manage recovery. Conclusions Patients with AGC face multifaceted challenges in postoperative self-management that directly impact their self-efficacy. Culturally appropriate and peer-supported interventions that address informational, emotional, and practical needs may be essential to supporting effective self-management in this population. These insights provide a patient-centered foundation for future intervention development.