scholarly journals Transitional Self-Disappear: The Journey of Cancer Survivors to Self Re-Coherence

Author(s):  
Mojtaba Dehghan ◽  
Jafar Hasani ◽  
Alireza Moradi ◽  
Shahram Mohammadkhani

Abstract Purpose People who experience cancer often face serious and unpleasant challenges in understanding their past, present, and future. They think they have lost their lifetime, agency, and interpersonal relationships, and no longer know their bodies. These experiences can change survivors' perceptions of themselves. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a deep theoretical understanding of the change of self in cancer survivors. Methods Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were conducted with 17 cancer survivors, 2 oncologists, and 2 family members of survivors. In this study, grounded theory methodology was used to explore the process of understanding and experiencing "self" in cancer survivors. Results The present study generated a model about the change of self, with the main concept called "transitional self-disappear", which is understandable based on the concepts of self-disruption (temporal disruption, highlighted body, interference in the agency, - individual-self disruption, over differentiation, relational self-disruption, and painful emotional experiences), self-reconstruction strategy and quality of self-coherence; and occurs in the cancer-based contextual experiences and individual-environmental preparedness. Conclusion This model illuminated the complex paths and roads of the survivors' journey from self-disappear to self reconstruction/re-coherence. A healthier experience of this journey can be facilitated by the transcendence of the "self" conceptualized in the past, and the promotion of specific (cancer-based contextual experiences) and general (individual-environmental preparedness) conditions.

2018 ◽  
Vol 159 (16) ◽  
pp. 636-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balázs Fábián ◽  
Zoltán Csiki ◽  
Antal Bugán

Abstract: Introduction: Raynaud’s disease is characterized by episodic vasospastic attacks and digital ischemia usually followed by pain, numbness and cold. Despite the severity of the symptoms, the investigation of the quality of life in this disease received less attention yet. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine how the disease affects the patients’ quality of life. Method: Semi-structured interviews were made with 28 patients diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease. Results: Almost every domain of quality of life is negatively affected. The somatic symptoms cause significant suffering, they are accompanied by loss of functionality; frequent preventive actions are needed; furthermore they affect job performance, commuting and sleep quality. Emotional and cognitive burdens and negative changes in interpersonal relationships were found. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the disease is present as significant hardship in every aspect of daily life. Because of the decrease in the quality of life and the psychological burdens caused by this chronic disease, not only the basic medical care, but psychological treatment is also indicated. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(16): 636–641.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Anica Phillott

Abstract This study examined the perception of the quality of life in a small group of boys (aged 8-15) who have severe haemophilia and have also developed inhibitors and their parents. The study design was a qualitative research methodology using a phenomenology theory approach in order to gain perspectives from participants in a series of semi-structured interviews. The study showed that inhibitor development had an impact on the perceived quality of life of these boys and their families and in so doing threatened the coping mechanisms that had worked effectively for them in the past. Although there is adequate awareness among haemophilia treaters of the psychosocial impact of inhibitor development on family life, this may not always be seen as a priority when managing these boys. The study also identified gaps in the published evidence as well as scope for future study. Commentary, J Haem Pract 2014;1(1):23.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1600
Author(s):  
Kate M. Gunn ◽  
Ian Olver ◽  
Xiomara Skrabal Ross ◽  
Nathan Harrison ◽  
Patricia M. Livingston ◽  
...  

The transition from urban centres back to rural and remote communities can be challenging for rural cancer survivors after treatment. This study aimed to (a) provide deeper understanding of the experiences of rural survivors who have completed active cancer treatment and returned to their rural communities, and (b) determine strategies to re-orient existing services or develop new interventions to more appropriately meet rural survivors’ service preferences and needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 adults (64% female) who lived outside of a metropolitan area and had completed active cancer treatment (n = 13), were the carer for a rural/remote cancer survivor (n = 6), or were both a survivor and carer (n = 3). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify dominant themes in the qualitative data. A range of physical, psychological and practical challenges that impact quality of life among rural survivors post-treatment were found. These challenges appeared to be compounded by a lack of trust in local rural healthcare services and a lack of clear post-treatment pathways to quality of life-enhancing support services. Acceptable strategies to overcome barriers included nurse-led, telephone-based, or face-to-face interventions, initiated and continued by the same service provider, and that included support to manage emotional challenges associated with post-treatment survivorship. The findings will inform the design of interventions to better meet rural cancer survivors’ post-treatment support needs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 305-311
Author(s):  
Lucas Alves de Oliveira Lima ◽  
Paulo Lourenço Domingues ◽  
Ana Nele Marci Rocha ◽  
Debora Cristina Furtado Martins ◽  
Maik Mateus De Souza

This research aimed to analyze the perception of Call Center operators of an E-Commerce company in the municipality of Três Rios/RJ about what is Quality of Life at Work (QLW), as well as what are the beneficial and harmful aspects of this kind of work. This is an exploratory qualitative approach research, where the case study technique was used with the application of structured interviews using a sample of ten workers. After collecting the data, it was possible to verify that the main perceptions about Quality of Life at Work (QLW) are linked to recognition and satisfaction in the work environment. In practice, beneficial factors such as constant learning, good interpersonal relationships and work infrastructure prevail. However, there is the prevalence of harmful aspects such as the high workload on Saturdays and the lack of better tools for carrying out activities. In addition, it was also found that two employees acquired stress, insomnia, eating disorders and anxiety due to customer complaints and high charges for goals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayah M. Liska ◽  
Angie Kolen

Abstract Purpose As a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many cancer survivors experience persistent physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that affect their quality of life. Physical activity has been identified as an intervention that may help to manage the side effects of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on overall quality of life in adult cancer survivors.Methods One-on-one semi structured interviews were conducted in person or via telephone with 13 adult (≥18 yrs) cancer survivors who had completed cancer treatment.Results These cancer survivors described their physical activity as improving their physical functioning and mental health, as a means of positive social engagement, and adding positivity to their daily life.Conclusion These results support the role of physical activity to enhance cancer survivors’ quality of life regardless of the treatment(s) type, duration, or time since the end of active cancer treatment. Further research is warranted to (a) expand this research with a larger sample, (b) examine healthcare providers’ knowledge and application of exercise guidelines to cancer survivors in cancer care, and (c) explore implementation strategies for greater advocacy for healthcare providers to share the exercise recommendations with cancer survivors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1213-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Tajabadi ◽  
Fazlollah Ahmadi ◽  
Afsaneh Sadooghi Asl ◽  
Mojtaba Vaismoradi

Background Nursing documentation as a pivotal part of nursing care has many implications for patient care in terms of safety and ethics. Objectives To explore factors influencing nursing documentation from nurses’ perspectives in the Iranian nursing context. Methods This qualitative study was carried out using a qualitative content analysis of data collected from 2018 to 2019 in two urban areas of Iran. Semi-structured interviews (n = 15), observations, and reviews of patients’ medical files were used for data collection. Ethical considerations This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of research and regulations in terms of confidentiality of data, anonymity, and provision of informed consent. Findings The main theme of this study was “unsafe documentation.” Two categories, “types of errors in reporting” and “reasons of errors in reporting,” and 12 subcategories were developed indicating factors influencing nursing documentation in the Iranian nursing context. Conclusion In general, individual, organizational, and national factors affected nursing documentation in Iran. In this respect, hiring more nurses, application of reforms in the healthcare management structure, devising appropriate regulations regarding division of labor, constant education of healthcare staff, establishment of clinical governance, improvement of interpersonal relationships, development of hardware and software techniques for documentation, and provision of support should be done to improve the quality of nursing documentation. The above-mentioned suggestions can help nurses with a safe, ethical, lawful, and reliable documentation in nursing practice.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Leigh Anne Hale ◽  
Matthew Lee Jenkins ◽  
Beth Mayland ◽  
Yvette Buttery ◽  
Pauline Norris ◽  
...  

Abstract Considering the important role that paid support workers play in care of older people with dementia, it is vital that researchers and relevant organisations understand the factors that lead to them feeling valued for the work that they do, and the consequences of such valuing (or lack thereof). The current study employed semi-structured interviews to understand the individual experiences of 15 support workers based both in residential care homes and private homes. The General Inductive Approach was used to analyse the interview transcriptions and to develop a conceptual model that describes the conditions that lead to support workers feeling valued for the work that they do. This model consists of organisational or individual strategies, the context in which support work takes place, and various interactions, actions and intervening conditions that facilitate or prevent support workers feeling valued. A significant finding in this research was the role of interpersonal relationships and interactions which underlie all other aspects of the conceptual model developed here. By understanding the importance of how employers, families of older adults with dementia and peers interact with support workers, we may promote not only the quality of work that support workers deliver, but also the wellbeing of the support workers themselves.


Author(s):  
Joel S. Mtebe ◽  
Roope Raisamo

<p>The past few years have seen increasingly rapid development and use of open educational resources (OER) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries. These resources are believed to be able to widen access, reduce the costs, and improve the quality of education. However, there exist several challenges that hinder the adoption and use of these resources. The majority of challenges mentioned in the literature do not have empirically grounded evidence and they assume Sub-Saharan countries face similar challenges. Nonetheless, despite commonalities that exist amongst these countries, there also exists considerable diversity, and they face different challenges. Accordingly, this study investigated the perceived barriers to the use of OER in 11 HEIs in Tanzania. The empirical data was generated through semi-structured interviews with a random sample of 92 instructors as well as a review of important documents. Findings revealed that lack of access to computers and the Internet, low Internet bandwidth, absence of policies, and lack of skills to create and/or use OER are the main barriers to the use of OER in HEIs in Tanzania. Contrary to findings elsewhere in Africa, the study revealed that lack of trust in others’ resources, lack of interest in creating and/or using OER, and lack of time to find suitable materials were not considered to be barriers. These findings provide a new understanding of the barriers to the use of OER in HEIs and should therefore assist those who are involved in OER implementation to find mitigating strategies that will maximize their usage.</p>


Author(s):  
Kirstin Hallmann ◽  
Laura Bogner ◽  
Kathrin Sander ◽  
Konrad Reuß

AbstractThis study explored the occupational devotion of lifestyle entrepreneurs and their well-being. Although the number of enterprises in the sports industry increased over the past years, limited literature exists on this topic. Therefore, this paper focused on lifestyle entrepreneurs who turned their sports into their occupations. We conducted semi-structured interviews and a follow-up survey with lifestyle entrepreneurs (N = 13) from various sports (e.g., yoga, kiting, football). The thematic analysis revealed a strong connection between the individuals’ choice of career and well-being. Other themes (and sub-themes), such as mental and physical health and value (co-)creation, were identified, corroborating the authors’ assumption that these lifestyle entrepreneurs started a career in their sports to reach a higher quality of life. The results uncovered that well-being and occupational devotion are closely linked. Co-creation is connected to well-being, and this can accrue social capital in the community. Thus, the results recommended support for lifestyle entrepreneurs as they provide community benefits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Haya Raz ◽  
Shulamith Kreitler

The paper deals with a review of “Mental Pain in Israeli Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors and Its Effects on their Quality of Life” by H. Raz, N. Tabak, Y. Alkalay, & S. Kreitler (1). The review focuses on theoretical and therapeutic implications of the findings. The major theoretical elaboration of the findings focuses on the construct of mental pain. This seems advisable both because there are several apparently similar concepts which presumably render mental pain superfluous and because mental pain was found to characterize pediatric cancer survivors who otherwise were found to be well adjusted as adults. The new redefinition of mental pain focuses on the components of low self-image and low meaningfulness of life. The constructs of mental pain in the past and of tolerance of mental pain were found to be less useful in this context. The new redefinition points to two new venues of interventions for reducing mental pain: enhancing self-image and increasing meaningfulness of life. The two kinds of interventions, which are based on elaborating meanings, are briefly described.


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