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Patients' experience with cancer recurrence: a meta‐ethnography
Author(s) -
Wanat Marta,
Boulton Mary,
Watson Eila
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3908
Subject(s) - psychosocial , ethnography , health care , qualitative research , psychology , medicine , nursing , psychotherapist , sociology , social science , political science , anthropology , law
Objective Recurrence is a difficult stage in the cancer journey as it brings to the fore the life‐threatening nature of the illness. This meta‐ethnography examines and synthesises the findings of qualitative research regarding patients' experience of cancer recurrence. Methods A systematic search of the qualitative studies published between January 1994 to April 2014 was undertaken. Seventeen relevant papers were identified, and a meta‐ethnography was conducted. Results Six third‐order concepts were developed to capture patients' experiences: experiencing emotional turmoil following diagnosis , which described the emotional impact of diagnosis and the influence of previous experiences on how the news were received; experiencing otherness , encompassing changed relationships; seeking support in the health care system , describing the extent of information needs and the importance of the relationship with health care professionals; adjusting to a new prognosis and uncertain future , highlighting the changes associated with uncertainty; finding strategies to deal with recurrence , describing ways of maintaining emotional well‐being and regaining a sense of control over cancer; and facing mortality , describing the difficulties in facing death‐related concerns and associated consequences. Conclusions This meta‐ethnography clarifies the fundamental aspects of patients' experience of recurrence. It suggests that health care professionals can promote a positive experience of care and help lessen the psychosocial impact of recurrence by providing information in an approachable way and being sensitive to their changing needs. It also points to the importance of supporting patients in adopting strategies to regain a sense of control and to address their potential mortality and its impact on loved ones. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.