“I’m Grateful, but Am I?”: The Exploration of Gratitude as a Complex Experience Among Malaysian Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 105413732110541
Author(s):  
Nur Atikah Mohamed Hussin ◽  
Taufik Mohammad ◽  
Shariffah Suraya Syed Jamaludin
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sociocultural Perspective ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cultural Expectations ◽  
Complex Dimensions

Gratitude has gained attention among health researchers for its benefits among chronic illness. However, most of the studies were focusing on the positive effects, neglecting the complex dimensions of gratitude that can contribute to both opportunities and challenges for chronic illness patients. This study aims to understand gratitude among cancer patients in Malaysia from a sociocultural perspective. This includes understanding how cancer patients view gratitude and the impacts of gratitude throughout their cancer-battling journey. This qualitative study involved 35 cancer patients. A thematic analysis was done to analyze the collected data. Among the themes discovered were searching for meaning, meaningful experience, gratitude through the enrichment activities, and gratitude as religious cultural expectations. This study suggests that gratitude is an important experience for chronic illness patients. The ability to understand this experience is vital to support and empower the patients throughout their daily lives.

scholarly journals Use of The Term Resilience in Adult Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
La Rakhmat Wabula ◽  
Syahfitrah Umamity ◽  
Ellen Lombonaung
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Process ◽  
Review Of Reviews ◽  
The Subject

Resilience was a dynamic process that adapts positively to the difficulties it has. This term was often used by researchers in cancer patients. Controversy often occurs in its conception and little is known by patients in the use of the term resilience in their lives. The subject of this paper was cancer patients. The literature review was conducted by examining qualitative studies that discuss the use of terms in cancer patients and the use of themes used in terms of resilience. A systematic review of reviews through SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Psyc INFO and CINAHL reviewed from 2000 to 2017. Thematic analysis was used to encode themes in the studio and produce analytical themes, and resolution resolutions in the studio. After being invited to 573 citations, there were only 32 suitable studies. Four categories emerged, including coping strategies, social support, spirituality, and growth. The conclusion is no use of the term resilience in cancer patients, but cancer patients more often use other terms with the same meaning as resilience. Cancer patients rarely use the term direct resilience, but more often use terms such as coping strategies, social support, growth, and spiritual as terms related to resilience. Keywords: resilience; cancer patients

The ukulele experiences: Leisure and positive ageing in Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Lee ◽  
Jane Southcott
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Community Music ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Regional Community ◽  
Song Preferences ◽  
Positive Ageing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Music Effects

In Shuilin Township, Yunlin County, Taiwan a group of older people have a small, well-established, active musical club called ‘Can’t Read the Words’ where they learn and play the ukulele together. This research explored the impact of their ukulele playing experiences and paid special attention to song preferences (songs they have chosen to play or sing). Data collection involved 11 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with individual healthy adults. All participants drew from their experiences in regional community music organizations to explore how music effects their daily lives. Thematic analysis of the data unveiled valuable insights. The study concluded that participants believed that their musical club provided opportunities for individuals to practice and perform before audiences, resulting in a sense of achievement and satisfaction. The aged community should view the ‘Can’t Read the Words’ musical club as an example of the positive effects playing the ukulele can have on their lives.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study Exploring Perceptions of Patients With Gout

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ling Seow ◽  
Nana Jiao ◽  
Wenru Wang ◽  
Eleanor Holroyd ◽  
Gim Gee Teng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
And Coping

Gout is a chronic disease that is on a rising trend and greatly affects one’s physical and psychosocial well-being. The aim of this study was to explore patients’ perceptions of living with gout. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted and 15 adults with gout were interviewed face-to-face between December 2014 and January 2015. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcribed data. The experiences of patients with gout were found to revolve around four themes: emotional experiences with gout, disruptions in daily lives, interactions with doctor, and coping with gout using internal and external resources. The in-depth understanding of the patients’ experiences indicates a need to provide holistic patient education and to involve family members to create nurse-led support groups and to raise public awareness regarding gout.

scholarly journals “I feel myself incomplete, and I am inferior to people”: experiences of Sudanese women living with obstetric fistula in Khartoum, Sudan

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma A. E. Ahmed ◽  
Viva C. Thorsen
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Obstetric Fistula ◽  
Obstructed Labor ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Fistula Prevention ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Background Obstetric fistula is among the most devastating maternal morbidities that occur as a result of prolonged, obstructed labor. Usually, the child dies in a large number of the cases. Moreover, some of the women become infertile while the majority suffer physical, psychosocial and economic challenges. Approximately 5000 new cases of obstetric fistula occur in Sudan each year. However, their experiences are under documented. Therefore, this study aimed to shed light on their daily lives living with obstetric fistula and how they cope. Methods Using a qualitative study design, 19 women living with obstetric fistula were interviewed. The study took place in the fistula ward located in Khartoum hospital and the fistula re-integration center in Khartoum, Sudan. Thematic analysis approach was employed. Stigma and coping theories guided the data collection, analysis, and discussion of the findings. Findings Women in our study suffered a challenging physical life due to leakage of urine. In addition, they encountered all forms of stigmatization. Women used both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping techniques to mitigate the consequences of obstetric fistula. Conclusion The study findings underscore the importance of obstetric fistula prevention programs and the urgency of repair surgeries to alleviate women’s suffering. Community sensitization, rehabilitation and re-integration of women back to their communities are also important strategies on their journey to wholeness.

scholarly journals Using wearables and self-management apps in patients with COPD: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 00036-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Wu ◽  
Shiphra Ginsburg ◽  
Tatiana Son ◽  
Andrea S. Gershon
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BackgroundTechnology such as wearable technology and self-management applications could improve the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by real-time continuous monitoring, early detection of COPD and improved self-management. However, patients have not been willing to use technology when it is too difficult to use, interferes with their daily lives or threatens their identity, independence and self-care.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study to determine what patients with COPD would like to see in a wearable device and a mobile application to help manage their condition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and concepts.ResultsWe interviewed 14 people with COPD with an average age of 69 years. Participants perceived that the technology could improve their ability to manage their condition both in daily life and during exacerbations by connecting how they feel and by knowing their oxygen saturation, heart rate and activity. The technology may help them address feelings of fear and panic associated with exacerbations and may provide reassurance and connectedness. Some people with COPD wanted their healthcare providers to have access to their data, while others were concerned about inundating them with too much information. Of note, people wanted to maintain control of the information; to make connections with the data, but also in order to be alerted when a possible exacerbation occurs.ConclusionPatients perceived significant potential for wearables and apps to help manage their condition.

scholarly journals Rethinking exercise identity: a qualitative study of physically inactive cancer patients’ transforming process while undergoing chemotherapy

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e016689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lis Adamsen ◽  
Christina Andersen ◽  
Christian Lillelund ◽  
Kira Bloomquist ◽  
Tom Møller
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Physically Inactive

ObjectiveTo explore physically inactive breast and colon cancer patients’ prediagnosis exercise history and attitudes to physical activity (PA) and experiences in initiating PA while undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.DesignAn explorative qualitative study guided the interpretive analysis of semistructured, open-ended interviews conducted at initiation of chemotherapy and after 12 weeks. The study was embedded in a pilot randomised controlled trial.SettingParticipants were recruited from the Oncological Department at a hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark.Participants33 patients with cancer, median age 49 years: 25 patients with breast cancer and 8 with colon cancer, 72% with a low cardiac respiratory fitness level and the majority with a high level of education. Patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, oncologist’s PA recommendation and exercise, cancer nurse specialist’s counselling prior to allocation to PA interventions or waitlist control group.ResultsPrediagnosis exercise had been excluded from patients’ daily lives due to perceptions of exercise as boring, lack of discipline and stressful work conditions for both genders. Recommendations from oncologists and nurses inspired the patients to reconsider their attitudes and behaviour by accepting recruitment and participation in PA interventions during chemotherapy. Despite extensive side effects, most patients adhered to their PA commitment due to their perception of the bodily, emotional and social benefits and support of healthcare professionals, peers and family.ConclusionThe patients’ attitude towards exercise transformed from having no priority in patients’ daily lives prediagnosis to being highly prioritised. This study identified four important phases in the exercise transformation process during the patients’ treatment trajectory of relevance to clinicians in identifying, motivating and supporting physically inactive patients with cancer at long-term risk. Clinicians should address young, highly educated patients with cancer at onset of adjuvant chemotherapy due to their specific risk of a sedentary lifestyle resulting from being in stressful, ambitious careers.Trial registration numberCurrent Controlled Trials (ISRCTN24901641), Stage: Qualitative results.

scholarly journals Reasons for Use of and Experiences with Homeopathic Treatment as an Adjunct to Usual Cancer Care: Results of a Small Qualitative Study

Homeopathy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (01) ◽  
pp. 024-032
Author(s):  
Charlotte Yde ◽  
Petter Viksveen ◽  
Jean Duckworth
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Reasons For Use

Background A significant proportion of patients with cancer consult with homeopaths. No former qualitative study has reported on experiences with homeopathy in this patient group. This study aimed to learn about the reasons for, and experiences with, treatment provided by homeopaths among Danish patients with cancer. Methods A small qualitative semi-structured interview study was carried out to collect preliminary knowledge to learn about reasons for and experiences with treatment provided by homeopaths as an adjunct to usual care among patients with cancer. Thematic analysis was used for the development of themes. Results Five patients, diagnosed with cancer, were interviewed. On the basis of qualitative interviews five themes emerged: concerns and hopes, obstacles and support, internal health locus of control, whole person approach, and improved well-being. Conclusion The cancer patients in this study sought homeopathy to address their hopes and concerns and to help them face obstacles and find support. They were actively taking responsibility for their own health and valued the whole person approach used by their homeopaths. Participants reported improved well-being both at the physical and mental levels. The results provide a basis for further research to learn more from patients' experiences with this intervention. Such knowledge could potentially be helpful to improve healthcare practitioners' communication with patients, and thereby patients' overall care.

Gender Non-traditional High School Study: Reasons for Choice and Evaluation of Experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-66
Author(s):  
Irena Smetáčková ◽  
Petr Pavlík
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Male Students ◽  
School Program ◽  
School Study ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Opposite Sex

Career choices of most pupils at the end of the primary school conform to gender norms. Only a few of them continue to study in a field traditionally considered appropriate for the opposite sex. The qualitative study presented here maps the reasons for such choices based on a sample of 25 female and 31 male students who study gender-atypical secondary school program for one to three years. The data were collected using a questionnaire with open-ended items and analysed using the qualitative thematic analysis. The results revealed that the reasons for school choices of boys and girls differ to certain extent. Their situation also differs with respect to the support they receive from their close ones and the acceptance by their classmates. The parents of girls disapproved of their choices more often than the parents of boys. Girls were also ridiculed more frequently by their peer groups.

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