Living with cancer and perception of care: Icelandic oncology outpatients, a qualitative study
(2008) In Supportive Care in Cancer 16(5). p.515-524- Abstract
- Aim This qualitative study was set out to explore oncology outpatient experiences of having cancer, to illuminate coping strategies and to explore perceptions of care and service provided while treated for cancer. Materials and methods Thirty patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy were consecutively selected for the study in three oncology outpatient clinics in Iceland; mean age was 55 years. All participants gave written consent but five dropped out of the study. Twenty-five semi-structured single interviews were conducted and analysed using manifest and latent content analysis. Results The descriptive level of the text could be understood as: (a) getting cancer: alarming experience; (b) coping: balancing life as it was before... (More)
- Aim This qualitative study was set out to explore oncology outpatient experiences of having cancer, to illuminate coping strategies and to explore perceptions of care and service provided while treated for cancer. Materials and methods Thirty patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy were consecutively selected for the study in three oncology outpatient clinics in Iceland; mean age was 55 years. All participants gave written consent but five dropped out of the study. Twenty-five semi-structured single interviews were conducted and analysed using manifest and latent content analysis. Results The descriptive level of the text could be understood as: (a) getting cancer: alarming experience; (b) coping: balancing life as it was before cancer against present situation to achieve normality; (c) satisfaction: encountering caring behaviour enhances satisfaction and well being. Each of the categories encompassed variation of subcategories. All the categories were summarised in the core category: "Being in the alarming situation of getting cancer evokes a strong need to maintain normality and keep uncertainty at distance with support from caring and sensitive encounters." This reflected patients' overall experiences of being diagnosed with cancer, how they coped and their perception of quality of care while going through treatment. Conclusion Reactions to the diagnosis of cancer indicate strong emotional reactions. A strong will to handle the situation and determination to maintain normality in life was prominent. Establishment of positive patient-health care professional relationships, caring encounters, faith, believing in treatment and support from family was highly valued as support and giving hope. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/1206573
- author
- Hjörleifsdottir, Elisabet LU ; Rahm Hallberg, Ingalill LU ; Gunnarsdottir, Elin Dianna and Bolmsjo, Ingrid Agren
- organization
- publishing date
- 2008
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- outpatients, distress, cancer, coping, satisfaction
- in
- Supportive Care in Cancer
- volume
- 16
- issue
- 5
- pages
- 515 - 524
- publisher
- Springer
- external identifiers
-
- wos:000254777300013
- scopus:41849128895
- pmid:17899216
- ISSN
- 0941-4355
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00520-007-0333-9
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Caring Sciences (Closed 2012) (016514020)
- id
- 9e117846-a71a-4063-9f12-74d48e005d9e (old id 1206573)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 15:02:15
- date last changed
- 2022-03-14 17:00:31
@article{9e117846-a71a-4063-9f12-74d48e005d9e,
abstract = {{Aim This qualitative study was set out to explore oncology outpatient experiences of having cancer, to illuminate coping strategies and to explore perceptions of care and service provided while treated for cancer. Materials and methods Thirty patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy were consecutively selected for the study in three oncology outpatient clinics in Iceland; mean age was 55 years. All participants gave written consent but five dropped out of the study. Twenty-five semi-structured single interviews were conducted and analysed using manifest and latent content analysis. Results The descriptive level of the text could be understood as: (a) getting cancer: alarming experience; (b) coping: balancing life as it was before cancer against present situation to achieve normality; (c) satisfaction: encountering caring behaviour enhances satisfaction and well being. Each of the categories encompassed variation of subcategories. All the categories were summarised in the core category: "Being in the alarming situation of getting cancer evokes a strong need to maintain normality and keep uncertainty at distance with support from caring and sensitive encounters." This reflected patients' overall experiences of being diagnosed with cancer, how they coped and their perception of quality of care while going through treatment. Conclusion Reactions to the diagnosis of cancer indicate strong emotional reactions. A strong will to handle the situation and determination to maintain normality in life was prominent. Establishment of positive patient-health care professional relationships, caring encounters, faith, believing in treatment and support from family was highly valued as support and giving hope.}},
author = {{Hjörleifsdottir, Elisabet and Rahm Hallberg, Ingalill and Gunnarsdottir, Elin Dianna and Bolmsjo, Ingrid Agren}},
issn = {{0941-4355}},
keywords = {{outpatients; distress; cancer; coping; satisfaction}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{5}},
pages = {{515--524}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{Supportive Care in Cancer}},
title = {{Living with cancer and perception of care: Icelandic oncology outpatients, a qualitative study}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0333-9}},
doi = {{10.1007/s00520-007-0333-9}},
volume = {{16}},
year = {{2008}},
}