Abstract
Background. Studies involving groups of patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) provide valuable knowledge on symptoms, quality of life and needs using questionnaires, but knowledge of the perspective of patients diagnosed with lung cancer and the significance of the illness and its treatment on their daily lives is scant. Moreover qualitative evidence on patient experiences of participation in rehabilitation is lacking.
Objectives. To explore the lived experiences of patients with operable lung cancer in daily life at ‘four critical moments’ during a ‘standard’ illness and treatment trajectory in order to understand the potential need for early-initiated interventions. Furthermore, the objective was to explore the lived experiences in a group of patients who participated post-surgery in a rehabilitation programme focusing on exercise targeting patients with operable lung cancer.
Methods. Study participants were divided into three samples of patients with operable lung cancer referred for surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen. Samples I and II involved an exploration of patients’ lived experiences during a ‘standard’ illness and treatment trajectory. Sample III involved an exploration of the lived experiences of participation in a rehabilitative intervention designed for this patient group. In total 145 interviews were conducted with 58 patients. A
phenomenological hermeneutical approach comprised the epistemological stance and the methodological basis was Ricoeur’s narrative philosophy. Theoretical inspiration was taken from Schutz and Merleau-Ponty.
Study 1 findings. The findings indicate that psychosocial concerns seem to be more pressing than physical symptoms at time of diagnosis. The patients experienced their diagnosis as a shock that altered their awareness of their everyday lives, presenting them with an unfamiliar body. Social relations were disturbed and patients forced to face a new life situation calling for one-on-one care. The patients expressed the need to share written information about the illness and treatment with health care professionals but also had a need to talk about their new life situation, thoughts and worries.
Study 2 findings. The findings show the patients’ process of regaining familiarity with their own body during the course of the illness and its treatment. After surgery the patients experienced physical symptoms for a short time, and at the same time the illness and surgery altered their identity, self-perception, emotions, thoughts and social relations. The transition from hospital to the home after surgery was experienced as unexpectedly challenging and the patients said they needed to be able to talk to health care professionals
about the loss of their familiar world in order to accustom themselves to their new world. The patients experienced the surgery process as relatively smooth as far as physical symptoms were concerned, but felt ‘disoriented’ over time due to a disruption in habitual and established routines in their everyday life-world
Objectives. To explore the lived experiences of patients with operable lung cancer in daily life at ‘four critical moments’ during a ‘standard’ illness and treatment trajectory in order to understand the potential need for early-initiated interventions. Furthermore, the objective was to explore the lived experiences in a group of patients who participated post-surgery in a rehabilitation programme focusing on exercise targeting patients with operable lung cancer.
Methods. Study participants were divided into three samples of patients with operable lung cancer referred for surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen. Samples I and II involved an exploration of patients’ lived experiences during a ‘standard’ illness and treatment trajectory. Sample III involved an exploration of the lived experiences of participation in a rehabilitative intervention designed for this patient group. In total 145 interviews were conducted with 58 patients. A
phenomenological hermeneutical approach comprised the epistemological stance and the methodological basis was Ricoeur’s narrative philosophy. Theoretical inspiration was taken from Schutz and Merleau-Ponty.
Study 1 findings. The findings indicate that psychosocial concerns seem to be more pressing than physical symptoms at time of diagnosis. The patients experienced their diagnosis as a shock that altered their awareness of their everyday lives, presenting them with an unfamiliar body. Social relations were disturbed and patients forced to face a new life situation calling for one-on-one care. The patients expressed the need to share written information about the illness and treatment with health care professionals but also had a need to talk about their new life situation, thoughts and worries.
Study 2 findings. The findings show the patients’ process of regaining familiarity with their own body during the course of the illness and its treatment. After surgery the patients experienced physical symptoms for a short time, and at the same time the illness and surgery altered their identity, self-perception, emotions, thoughts and social relations. The transition from hospital to the home after surgery was experienced as unexpectedly challenging and the patients said they needed to be able to talk to health care professionals
about the loss of their familiar world in order to accustom themselves to their new world. The patients experienced the surgery process as relatively smooth as far as physical symptoms were concerned, but felt ‘disoriented’ over time due to a disruption in habitual and established routines in their everyday life-world
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|
| Udgivelsessted | Copenhagen |
|---|---|
| Forlag | The University Hospitals Centre for Health Research |
| Antal sider | 158 |
| ISBN (Trykt) | 978-87-90769-15-4 |
| Status | Udgivet - 2016 |
| Udgivet eksternt | Ja |