Lone Jørgensen1,2, Susanne Kastrup Jensen3, Bettina Brogaard4. 1. Clinic for Surgery and Cancer Treatment, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. 2. Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. 3. Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Surgery and Cancer Treatment, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. 4. Department of Breast Surgery, Clinic for Surgery and Cancer Treatment, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' experiences of situational awareness in the outpatient encounter when they are informed about the diagnosis of breast cancer or malignant melanoma. BACKGROUND: Patients enter a stressful situation when receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer or malignant melanoma, and research indicates that needs are most prominent at this time. However, healthcare professionals often fail to address these needs adequately. It is unclear how patients experience situational awareness practised to meet their fundamental needs in the encounter when they are informed about the diagnosis of cancer. DESIGN: This study used a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. METHODS: Nine semi-structured interviews with patients being diagnosed with breast cancer or malignant melanoma were performed. The interpretation theory of Paul Ricoeur guided the analysis. The study is presented in line with the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in three themes: 1) "Being accompanied" refers to how patients need information to be targeted to them as individuals. 2) "Being seen" points to HCPs' exploration of the patients' perspectives to get an understanding of their preferences. 3) "Being taken care of" indicates that patients feel supported if situational awareness is practised by the healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Practicing situational awareness in the outpatient encounter is essential to patients' experience of feeling accommodated or rejected. Patients feel rejected when their fundamental needs are not met while experiencing situational awareness seems to accommodate fundamental needs and pre-empt an inappropriate patient outcome. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: HCPs need to acknowledge the importance of using a structured approach to meeting patients' fundamental needs in a stressful situation. Each patient is different and may experience different needs in encounters where they are receiving the diagnosis of breast cancer or malignant melanoma. Therefore, treatment and care must be tailored to the individual patient based on a caring relationship.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' experiences of situational awareness in the outpatient encounter when they are informed about the diagnosis of breast cancer or malignant melanoma. BACKGROUND:Patients enter a stressful situation when receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer or malignant melanoma, and research indicates that needs are most prominent at this time. However, healthcare professionals often fail to address these needs adequately. It is unclear how patients experience situational awareness practised to meet their fundamental needs in the encounter when they are informed about the diagnosis of cancer. DESIGN: This study used a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. METHODS: Nine semi-structured interviews with patients being diagnosed with breast cancer or malignant melanoma were performed. The interpretation theory of Paul Ricoeur guided the analysis. The study is presented in line with the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in three themes: 1) "Being accompanied" refers to how patients need information to be targeted to them as individuals. 2) "Being seen" points to HCPs' exploration of the patients' perspectives to get an understanding of their preferences. 3) "Being taken care of" indicates that patients feel supported if situational awareness is practised by the healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Practicing situational awareness in the outpatient encounter is essential to patients' experience of feeling accommodated or rejected. Patients feel rejected when their fundamental needs are not met while experiencing situational awareness seems to accommodate fundamental needs and pre-empt an inappropriate patient outcome. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: HCPs need to acknowledge the importance of using a structured approach to meeting patients' fundamental needs in a stressful situation. Each patient is different and may experience different needs in encounters where they are receiving the diagnosis of breast cancer or malignant melanoma. Therefore, treatment and care must be tailored to the individual patient based on a caring relationship.