Living with cancer and perception of care: Icelandic oncology outpatients, a qualitative study

Abstract

Reactions to the diagnosis of cancer indicate strong emotional reactions. A strong will to handle the situation and determination to maintain normality in life was prominent. Establishment of positive patient-health care professional relationships, caring encounters, faith, believing in treatment and support from family was highly valued as support and giving hope.

Quality of Life and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression of Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

“…In an Icelandic study on cancer patients undergoing treatment, the disease and treatment trajectory are seen as a family matter, indicating the importance of the spouse. 50 Research suggests that the support of a spouse is considered as more helpful than professional help in dealing with difficult emotions. The family was also considered being more important during the diagnostic and treatment period than the support of friends.…”

“…The family was also considered being more important during the diagnostic and treatment period than the support of friends. 50 Failing to see differences in QOL depending on gender and marital status in the present study is surprising but might be explained by the variability within the sample, representing diverse types of cancer and different stage of disease resulting in few cases behind each group.…”

“…Arguably, the low scores on the QOL measure for the whole sample play a part in this finding. Unlike other studies, 21,24,31,32,50 the present study failed to find difference in QOL depending on gender or marital status. In an Icelandic study on cancer patients undergoing treatment, the disease and treatment trajectory are seen as a family matter, indicating the importance of the spouse.…”

Being in safe hands: Patients’ perceptions of how cancer services may support psychological well‐being

“…These studies found that patients’ treatment experiences were positively influenced by staff who were responsive, courteous and able to meet the individual's information needs and that nurse‐led care was influential to the well‐being outcomes of patients at various stages of the treatment pathway (Edvardsson, Watt, & Pearce, ; Larsson, Sahlsten, Sjostrom, Lindencrona, & Plos, ). Similarly, Hjörleifsdóttir, Hallberg, Gunnarsdóttir, and Bolmsjö () found that the caring responses of nurses was associated with increased patient satisfaction, while social interactions based on close relationship bonds and familiar routines may positively contribute to the individual's well‐being (Bahrami, ). Furthermore, the number, interconnectedness and quality of the patient's relationships and support networks have been linked to better adjustment to cancer (Hoffman et al., ).…”

Cancer Patients’ Perceptions of the Good Nurse: a Literature Review

“…[22][23][24] In this context it is important to consider that cancer patients form an ex tremely vulnerable group because their disease is often life-threatening and because cancer and its treatment have an enormous impact on their private, social, and professional lives. [22][23][24][25][26] Studies have shown that patients and nursing staff do not always agree on the importance of caring behaviours; 12,[27][28][29][30] the greatest discrepancies in this regard can be found in oncology care. 29 It is therefore important to come to a better understanding of the characteristics of a good nurse from the perspective of cancer patients.…”