Abstract 1435P
Background
Patients with metastasis deal with specific challenges from a psychological viewpoint, that go beyond negative emotions and anxiety/depression. While treatment options increase their chances of survival, they perceive end of life as possibly close and their future in terms of time running out. This affects goal setting or ability to set and pursue objectives, both in terms of health management and personal life, disrupting well-being and treatment adherence. It is important to advance our understanding of motivation/goal setting in metastatic patients, to inform health management interventions.
Methods
This study aims to explore disease-related alterations in goal-setting in metastatic patients. In-depth interviews have been conducted with 7 female with metastatic breast cancer.
Results
The interviews confirmed the alteration of the capacity of patients to structure their goals. They reported desires that do not depend on personal agency and could not be structured in courses of actions (e.g., “I just want to live long enough to see my daughter’s wedding”). At the same time, their ability to structure attainable goals appears annihilated. However, after support during the interview, participants were able to recover in part their ability to set goals and to identify ways to pursue them. Goals important for patients that emerged from the interviews were: pursuing old ambitions that were put aside (e.g., long-desired travel); the need for authentic communication with loved ones (e.g., stop hiding the illness); and the pursuit of personal health despite the illness (e.g., take care of their body by physical activity).
Conclusions
This study aims to explore disease-related alterations in goals setting in metastatic patients. Taking care of patients’ perception of their ability to manage their life goals is relevant to support well-being and adherence to clinical treatments. The so-called “implementation intentions” technique may be useful as it entails assisting individuals in identifying and structuring personal goals, filling in the gap between intention and behaviors. Future research may integrate implementation intentions' recommendations in psychological support and eHealth solutions.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
Funding
Fondazione Umberto Veronesi.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.