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Patients’ expectations of cancer treatment and their perceived link to subsequent experiences: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Cockle Sam,
Ogden Jane
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/bjhp.12544
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , qualitative research , focus group , feeling , psychology , certainty , normality , social psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , sociology , social science , philosophy , epistemology , anthropology
Objective Whilst much research has addressed patients’ expectations and experiences of cancer treatment, little research has explored the association between these factors. The current qualitative study aimed to explore patients’ beliefs about the relationship between their expectations of cancer treatment and their subsequent experiences. Design Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with sixteen individuals who had received cancer treatment. Results Data were analysed using thematic analysis and illustrated that cancer treatment was experienced as a challenge that could be understood in terms of two themes: ‘investing in treatment’ reflecting trust in treatment and health care professionals and a sense that treatment was a necessary evil and ‘encountering tensions or disconnects’ illustrating the mismatch between expectations and experiences with patient reporting feeling unprepared, pleasantly surprised or shock. Transcending these themes was the notion of ‘searching for stability and certainty’ in terms of a desire for normality and a shift in focus between treatment process and outcome. Overall, disconnects were apparent between participants’ expectations and experiences. However, due to their trust in treatment, participants were able to shift their focus between the treatment itself and future outcomes, to regain a sense of certainty. Conclusion Patients describe a complex relationship between expectations and experiences and are able to shift their focus between process and outcome to cope with the challenges they face.