Abstract
Background
Patients receiving a brain cancer diagnosis may face cognitive decline and a poor prognosis. In addition, they suffer from a high symptom burden in a complex cancer pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the early hospital experiences of brain tumour patients during the diagnostic and surgical treatment phase.
Methods
A descriptive longitudinal single-case study design was used, and data were analysed via systematic text condensation.
Results
The patients' experiences of being diagnosed with and treated for brain cancer were interpreted in terms of the central theme: a fast transition into an unknown journey. This theme consisted of the following subthemes: emotionally overwhelmed, putting life on hold and an unfamiliar dependency.
Conclusions
Patients diagnosed with brain cancer struggle with overwhelming emotions due to this sudden life-threatening diagnosis, their fear of brain surgery and their progressing dependence. Patients did not voice their feelings, fears or needs, so these may easily be overlooked and unmet. A proactive and continuous care approach throughout the diagnostic phase is needed to support these patients.
Patients receiving a brain cancer diagnosis may face cognitive decline and a poor prognosis. In addition, they suffer from a high symptom burden in a complex cancer pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the early hospital experiences of brain tumour patients during the diagnostic and surgical treatment phase.
Methods
A descriptive longitudinal single-case study design was used, and data were analysed via systematic text condensation.
Results
The patients' experiences of being diagnosed with and treated for brain cancer were interpreted in terms of the central theme: a fast transition into an unknown journey. This theme consisted of the following subthemes: emotionally overwhelmed, putting life on hold and an unfamiliar dependency.
Conclusions
Patients diagnosed with brain cancer struggle with overwhelming emotions due to this sudden life-threatening diagnosis, their fear of brain surgery and their progressing dependence. Patients did not voice their feelings, fears or needs, so these may easily be overlooked and unmet. A proactive and continuous care approach throughout the diagnostic phase is needed to support these patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 451-460 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISSN | 0283-9318 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2024 |
Keywords
- brain cancer pathway
- brain neoplasm
- diagnostic phase
- experiences
- malignant brain tumour
- qualitative studies