Abstract CN86
Background
Outpatient radiotherapy and chemotherapy contributes to changes in the life of people with cancer. Person-centeredness is highly relevant in the health care system, but its anchoring is limited. In an efficient and fast-paced outpatient cancer clinic, there is a risk, that patients may feel left on their own, and that they do not experience sufficient help in handling life with cancer. Therefor the aim of this study was to investigate how patients' experienced the changes in everyday life and themselves during curative outpatient cancer treatment and care.
Methods
Based on phenomenological hermeneutic research tradition, narrative-inspired interviews were conducted, among five patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy for breast cancer, lung cancer, rectal cancer and prostate cancer, respectively. Data were analyzed using a method of interpretation inspired by the French philosopher Poul Ricoeur.
Results
Four mail themes were identified: 1) A normal every day, yet so changed, 2) It has overwhelmed me, therefore I am almost a guest in my own life, 3) Future thoughts oscillating between hope and resignation, and 4) The light and happiness in a dark period.
Conclusions
The patients experienced that normality of everyday life was disturbed, which contributed to a changed and broken everyday life and self. Consequently, life-constraining and life-conductive life phenomena arose. The life phenomenon of hope was particularly pronounced in relation to outpatient cancer treatment. Bodily changes challenged the patient's identity and gender proved to have an impact on patients self-understanding. A changed and broken everyday life implied that patients yearned for normality and a familiar everyday life. This gained insight raises considerations about how sensitivity to the significance of everyday life can be anchored in nursing care.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Lillebaelt Hospital, Department of Oncology, Vejle, Denmark.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.