Open AccessPathways to a lung cancer diagnosis
Author(s) -
CarterHarris Lisa,
Hermann Carla Penrod,
Draucker Claire Burke
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the american association of nurse practitioners
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 2327-6924
pISSN - 2327-6886
DOI - 10.1002/2327-6924.12242
Subject(s) - typology , lung cancer , medicine , nurse practitioners , qualitative research , family medicine , narrative , health care , disease , cancer , clinical practice , medline , intensive care medicine , nursing , oncology , social science , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , sociology , economics , history , economic growth , political science , law
Purpose The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to identify and describe pathways to a lung cancer diagnosis based on narratives of persons diagnosed with the disease. Data sources Eleven adults with lung cancer were recruited from an academic thoracic oncology clinic in a large city in the southeastern United States. Moderately structured interviews were conducted by an experienced nurse practitioner (NP) to obtain information regarding the participants’ experiences leading to their diagnosis. Qualitative content analysis was used to develop a typology of pathways. Conclusions Findings revealed four distinct pathways: missing opportunities, waiting and seeing, being alarmed, and being blindsided. Implications for practice The Pathways to a Lung Cancer Diagnosis Typology has important implications for clinical practice and can be used to inform NPs and other healthcare providers who provide care for patients at risk for or diagnosed with lung cancer.