Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study
Por:
Ciria-Suarez L, Jiménez-Fonseca P, Palacín-Lois M, Antoñanzas-Basa M, Fernández-Montes A, Manzano-Fernández A, Castelo B, Asensio-Martínez E, Hernando-Polo S and Calderon C
Publicada:
22 sep 2021
Ahead of Print:
22 sep 2021
Categoría:
Multidisciplinary
Resumen:
Background
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in women. Prevention and treatments have lowered mortality; nevertheless, the impact of the diagnosis and treatment continue to impact all aspects of patients' lives (physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual).
Objective
This study seeks to explore the experiences of the different stages women with breast cancer go through by means of a patient journey.
Methods
This is a qualitative study in which 21 women with breast cancer or survivors were interviewed. Participants were recruited at 9 large hospitals in Spain and intentional sampling methods were applied. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview that was elaborated with the help of medical oncologists, nurses, and psycho-oncologists. Data were processed by adopting a thematic analysis approach.
Results
The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer entails a radical change in patients' day-today that linger in the mid-term. Seven stages have been defined that correspond to the different medical processes: diagnosis/unmasking stage, surgery/cleaning out, chemotherapy/loss of identity, radiotherapy/transition to normality, follow-up care/the "new" day-today, relapse/starting over, and metastatic/time-limited chronic breast cancer. The most relevant aspects of each are highlighted, as are the various cross-sectional aspects that manifest throughout the entire patient journey.
Conclusions
Comprehending patients' experiences in depth facilitates the detection of situations of risk and helps to identify key moments when more precise information should be offered. Similarly, preparing the women for the process they must confront and for the sequelae of medical treatments would contribute to decreasing their uncertainty and concern, and to improving their quality-of-life.
Filiaciones:
Ciria-Suarez L:
Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology Department, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Jiménez-Fonseca P:
Medical Oncology Department Hospital Universitario Central of Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
Palacín-Lois M:
Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Antoñanzas-Basa M:
Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
Fernández-Montes A:
Medical Oncology Department, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Ourense, Ourense, Spain
Manzano-Fernández A:
Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
Castelo B:
Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
:
Medical Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain
Hernando-Polo S:
Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
Calderon C:
Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology Department, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Green Published, gold
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