The existential cancer journey: Travelling through the intersubjective structure of homeworld/alienworld

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Assing Hvidt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Rehabilitation Centre ◽  
Transformative Experiences ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Patient Narratives ◽  
Illness Experiences ◽  
Group Interviews

In the past couple of decades, there has been significant interest in the research literature and patient narratives that focus on describing the cancer journey as involving existential and spiritual transformative experiences. The purpose of this article is to contribute with a new and deepened understanding of the existing literature by offering a philosophical informed analytic conceptualization that highlights the ‘liminal’, transformative and ‘generative’ dimension of the cancer journey. For that purpose, qualitative data drawn from a qualitative study investigating existential experiences of a group of Danish patients in rehabilitation were analysed employing the American phenomenologist Anthony J. Steinbock’s interpretation of the Husserlian concepts homeworld/alienworld ( Heimwelt/Fremdwelt). Data used in this article derived from qualitative interviews (11 individual interviews and 9 focus group interviews) with cancer patients participating in rehabilitation week courses at a Danish rehabilitation centre. The analysis led to the development of three themes: ‘The heavy break with the homeworld’, ‘Realizing a new homefellowship’ and ‘Transformation of the homeworld’. Findings suggest that journeying with cancer involves a ‘liminal’ experiencing of having to navigate in a borderless and unfamiliar territory between a homeworld and an alienworld before ultimately arriving at a sense of transformation in which meaning is derived from both lifeworlds. It is argued that such an understanding of the intersubjectivity between lifeworlds highlights the need for health care professionals communicating with patients throughout their cancer journey about whether and how the illness experiences have been integrated into their lifeworld and whether help is needed in order to achieve existential rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Counter-talk as symbolic boundary drawing: Challenging legitimate cultural practices in individual and focus group interviews in the lower regions of social space

2021 ◽  
pp. 003802612110144
Author(s):  
Riie Heikkilä ◽  
Anu Katainen
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Moral Boundaries ◽  
Popular Classes ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Symbolic Boundary

In qualitative interviews, challenges such as deviations from the topic, interruptions, silences or counter-questions are inevitable. It is debatable whether the researcher should try to alleviate them or consider them as important indicators of power relations. In this methodological article, we adopt the latter view and examine the episodes of counter-talk that emerge in qualitative interviews on cultural practices among underprivileged popular classes by drawing on 49 individual and focus group interviews conducted in the highly egalitarian context of Finland. Our main aim is to demonstrate how counter-talk emerging in interview situations could be fruitfully analysed as moral boundary drawing. We identify three types of counter-talk: resisting the situation, resisting the topic, and resisting the interviewer. While the first type unites many of the typical challenges inherent to qualitative interviewing in general (silences, deviations from the topic and so forth), the second one shows that explicit taste distinctions are an important feature of counter-talk, yet the interviewees mostly discuss them as something belonging to the personal sphere. Finally, the third type reveals how the strongest counter-talk and clearest moral boundary stemmed from the interviewees’ attitudes towards the interviewer herself. We argue that counter-talk in general should be given more importance as a key element of the qualitative interview. We demonstrate that all three types of counter-talk are crucial to properly understanding the power relations and moral boundaries present in qualitative interviews and that cultural practices are a particularly good topic to tease them out.

The meaning of slow nursing in dementia care

Dementia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 930-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Lillekroken ◽  
Solveig Hauge ◽  
Åshild Slettebø
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Moment

Research literature in the dementia field lacks examples of ‘best-practices’ demonstrating concretely how it is possible to support the sense of coherence in people with dementia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the nurses’ views concerning a caring approach that may support the sense of coherence in people with dementia. The data were collected through participant observation and focus group interviews during a four-month period in 2011. Sixteen registered nurses recruited from two Norwegian nursing homes participated in this study. The data were interpreted using a phenomenological-hermeneutical method. Three themes were identified: ‘being in the moment’, ‘doing one thing at a time’, and ‘creating joy and contentment’. An overall interpretation of these themes is described by the metaphor ‘slow nursing’, a caring approach that may lead to supporting the sense of coherence in people with dementia.

scholarly journals Patient Rounds With Video-Consulted Relatives: Qualitative Study on Possibilities and Barriers From the Perspective of Healthcare Providers (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Østervang ◽  
Lene Vedel Vestergaard ◽  
Karin Brochstedt Dieperink ◽  
Dorthe Boe Danbjørg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Work Routines ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Group Interviews

BACKGROUND In cancer settings, relatives are often seen as a resource as they are able to support the patient and remember information during hospitalization. However, geographic distance to hospitals, work, and family obligations are reasons that may cause difficulties for relatives’ physical participation during hospitalization. This provided inspiration to uncover the possibility of telehealth care in connection with enabling participation by relatives during patient rounds. Telehealth is used advantageously in health care systems but is also at risk of failing during the implementation process because of, for instance, health care professionals’ resistance to change. Research on the implications for health care professionals in involving relatives’ participation through virtual presence during patient rounds is limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate health care professionals’ experiences in using and implementing technology to involve relatives during video-consulted patient rounds. METHODS The design was a qualitative approach. Methods used were focus group interviews, short open interviews, and field observations of health care professionals working at a cancer department. The text material was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS Field observational studies were conducted for 15 days, yielding 75 hours of observation. A total of 14 sessions of video-consulted patient rounds were observed and 15 pages of field notes written, along with 8 short open interviews with physicians, nurses, and staff from management. Moreover, 2 focus group interviews with 9 health care professionals were conducted. Health care professionals experienced the use of technology as a way to facilitate involvement of the patient’s relatives, without them being physically present. Moreover, it raised questions about whether this way of conducting patient rounds could address the needs of both the patients and the relatives. Time, culture, and change of work routines were found to be the major barriers when implementing new technology involving relatives. CONCLUSIONS This study identified a double change by introducing both new technology and virtual participation by relatives at the same time. The change had consequences on health care professionals’ work routines with regard to work load, culture, and organization because of the complexity in health care systems.

What's the Story?: Exploring Parent–Teacher Communication through ePortfolios

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Higgins ◽  
Sue Cherrington
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Electronic Portfolios ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Teacher Communication ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Reported Data

ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS (ePORTFOLIOS) ARE a relatively new phenomenon in early childhood education (ECE) with minimal existing research available on their use and effectiveness as a learning and communication tool in ECE. This article reports on a study examining the influence of ePortfolios on parent–teacher communication in one early childhood (EC) service. Reported data has been drawn from online surveys, document analysis of ePortfolios, individual interviews and focus group interviews with parents and teachers. Thematic analysis identified two main themes: the benefits and drawbacks of communicating via the ePortfolio, and the types of communication that were evident.

Perspectives of prostate cancer patients about active surveillance.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 82-82
Author(s):  
Fred Saad ◽  
Margaret Fitch ◽  
Kittie Pang ◽  
Veronique Ouellet ◽  
Carmen Loiselle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews

82 Background: In prostate cancer (PC), men diagnosed with low risk disease may be monitored through an active surveillance (AS) approach that runs counter to the traditional message of undergoing treatment as soon as possible following a cancer diagnosis. This research explored the perspectives of men with PC regarding their decision-making process for AS to identify the factors that influenced their decision and assisted health care professionals in discussing AS as an option. Methods: Focus group interviews (n = 7) were held in several Canadian cities with men (n = 52) diagnosed with PC and eligible for AS. The men’s viewpoints were captured regarding their understanding of AS, the factors that influenced their decision to engage in AS, and their experience with the approach. A content and theme analysis was performed on the verbatim transcripts from the interviews. Results: All patients described the perception that their disease was not “large enough” to require treatment. They understood that the waiting process avoided the side effects associated with treatments, and they were comfortable about postponing treatment while undergoing close monitoring. Conversations with their doctor and how AS was described were cited as key influences in their decision. Other influences included availability of information on treatment options, distrust in the health system, personality, experiences and opinions of others, and personal perspectives on quality of life. Conclusions: AS is a relatively new approach for the care of men with low risk PC. Men require a thorough explanation on AS as a safe and valid option, as well as guidance towards supportive resources in their decision-making.

scholarly journals Nursing staff’s experience of appearance issues in various nursing situations

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Bringsén ◽  
Johanna Sjöbeck ◽  
Pia Petersson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Knowledge Development ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Professional Nursing ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Background Health care professionals frequently interact with unknown patients in a process involving appearance-based judgements and priority-setting, all of which has an effect on health care equality. The healthcare provider–patient interaction is also highly relevant for the awareness and support of patients’ appearance concerns, with an associated possibility for improving patients’ satisfaction with their appearance and health. The aim was therefore to explore nursing staff’s experience of patients’ appearance issues in various nursing situations, with the purpose to facilitate awareness raising and knowledge development. Method A qualitative research approach with focus group interviews was chosen due to the exploratory aim of the study. Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 24 nursing staff in total (19 women and five men). The participants’ ages varied (20 to 45 years) as did their professional nursing experience. The interviews lasted approximately one hour, were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis. Results The thematic analysis resulted in the two themes Patient perspective and Professional nursing role, with associated subthemes. The findings showed the importance and impact of appearance issues in nursing situations and how these are linked to the health of the patients. Some groups of patients were identified as more vulnerable than others, which was associated with health care inequalities and health disparities. Value-based strategies along with knowledge, and skills for holistic person-centred care were identified as important resources for the development of appearance-related awareness and support in various nursing situations. Conclusion Strategies for improvement can be realised through the educational system for nursing staff, but mainly by using collective reflective learning forums in different workplaces. An empowerment approach is considered a useful framework for the implementation of holistic person-centred care, functioning as a resource for appearance-related awareness and support in various nursing situations. However, more research is needed on the complex and challenging phenomenon of appearance issues in nursing situations. Knowledge development related to successful person-centred strategies for appearance-related awareness and support is important, especially strategies with a salutogenic perspective.

scholarly journals Investigation of Teacher Roles in Educational Practices in The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-332
Author(s):  
Dinçer Temelli ◽  
Osman Yılmaz Kartal ◽  
Çavuş Şahin ◽  
Akan Deniz Yazgan
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Instructional Activities ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Inequality In Education ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Phenomenological Design

In the research, it is aimed to analyze the roles of teachers teaching in distance education in the Covid-19 pandemic period and to investigate the obstacles encountered in the realization of these roles. The aim of the research is examined with the post-positivist paradigm and analyzed with the phenomenological design which is one of the qualitative research methods. In the research, participants were chosen from the teachers of Mathematics, Foreign Language, Science, Turkish and Social Studies who teach at least 15 hours or more per week in distance education. The data collection process in which data triangulation was performed included diaries kept by teachers for five days, individual interviews and focus group interviews. Transcripted data were analyzed by content analysis technique. According to the findings of the research, it was observed that the roles of the teachers who participated in the study were “communicator”, “collaborator”, “facilitator” and “learner” teacher during the distance education in Covid-19 pandemic. It has been observed that there are obstacles in the realization of roles in issues such as injustice / inequality in education, subject-centered program, structure of the education program, professional development, student and parent unwillingness. Teachers stated the features that teachers should have in the process of distance education as technopedagogical content knowledge, planning instructional activities, being able to measure distance assessment and provide student motivation.

scholarly journals Informing the Children When a Parent Is Diagnosed as Having Multiple Sclerosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylva Nilsagård ◽  
Katrin Boström
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Disease Information ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of how health-care services can support the empowerment of children when a parent is diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis (MS). The study focuses on what information parents with MS, their partners, and their children desire from health-care professionals. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with nine adolescents, nine parents with diagnosed MS, and five partners representing members of ten families. Results: The main finding was that parents with MS, their partners, and the adolescents stressed their need to be well informed about the disease. Information should be provided at the time of diagnosis and then offered regularly throughout the disease course. The information should be suited to the recipient's level of maturity and individualized to reflect the parent's clinical picture. Conclusions: It is usually beneficial for children if their parents feel informed about the illness and encourage their children to ask questions and discuss the situation. This knowledge, gained from several sources, is likely to be of value for health-care professionals and their ongoing efforts to improve services for parents with MS, their partners, and their children.

Exploring youth citizenship during COVID-19 lockdowns in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Mutch ◽  
Marta Estellés
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Citizenship Rights ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Youth Citizenship ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The City

The research presented in this article explores how young people in New Zealand exercised their citizenship during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Building upon the theoretical concepts of ‘actions’ and ‘acts of citizenship’, this qualitative study draws on data from the experiences of 30 young people aged over 16 in the city of Auckland. Data included classroom observations, focus group interviews, individual interviews and the sharing of student artefacts (e.g. posters and videos). The experiences of the participants covered a wide range of engagement in citizenship rights, sites, scales and acts. Our findings offered an alternative to prevailing portrayals of young people as either passive victims or self-centred troublemakers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons for citizenship education are discussed at the end of the article.

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