Hope Pictured in Drawings by Women Newly Diagnosed With Gynecologic Cancer

Abstract

The use of drawings in clinical situations might give cancer nurses new perceptions of hope and other phenomena. Patients might feel threat and despair when diagnosed with cancer; they need gentle truth about reality, and they long for being together with loved ones. Nurses are in a unique position to enable hope in this situation through listening and active engagement. Drawing might be a tool in understanding the hope. Drawings picture where words come short.

“A peculiar time in my life”: making sense of illness and recovery with gynaecological cancer

“…Whilst temporal breadth is important, research is diffused over a range of time points, with much occurring well after original diagnosis. There is little research that takes place within 6 months of diagnosis (e.g., Ekwall, Ternestedt, & Sorbe, 2003; Hammer, Hall, & Mogensen, 2013; Hammer et al, 2009). One particular gap in the time frame is that where women have completed active treatment but are not yet officially in remission from cancer.…”

“…Additionally, qualitative research has expanded to explore the experience of cancer, particularly in relation to topics such as hope (Hammer et al, 2013; Reb, 2007), meaning (Akyüz, Güvenç, Üstünsöz, & Kaya, 2008; Roberts & Clarke, 2009; Sekse et al, 2010), the impact of childlessness or loss of fertility for younger women (Molassiotis et al, 2002; Roberts & Clarke, 2009) and changing family roles (Akyüz et al, 2008). Other topics identified included uncertainty and risk (Roberts & Clarke, 2009; Sekse et al, 2010), body image and sexual function (Ekwall et al, 2003; Maughan, Heyman, & Matthews, 2002; Molassiotis et al, 2002).…”

Using drawings to explore patients’ perceptions of their illness: a scoping review

“…Seventeen studies utilized theoretical frameworks, including: the common-sense model of self-regulation,23–30 phenomenology,31–34 phenomenography,35,36 a feminist framework,37–39 the illness-meaning model,40–42 the social representation theory,43,44 and the transition theory 45,46. Theoretical frameworks underpinning the studies were not reported in the remaining fifteen publications 47–61…”

“…For studies where drawing was used together with interviews, drawings were often made after a one-on-one interview with a researcher and a discussion about the image followed. Two studies specified that participants were alone when completing the drawing task in interviews 31,33. Conversely, in another study drawings were created in a group setting with other participants 32…”

“…In contrast, drawings in the postal questionnaires completed away from the researchers negated the chance for investigations to explore more deeply. Asking participants to draw at home55 or alone31,33 can reduce potential external pressure. Whilst drawing in a group setting32 can have implications concerning privacy and social desirability, this method can facilitate discussion and the sharing of experiences through interaction with others 64,65…”