An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of living with colorectal cancer as a chronic illness

Grant J McGeechan, Kerri E McPherson and Karen Roberts

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2018, vol. 27, issue 15-16, 3148-3156

Abstract: Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of patients living with cancer as a chronic illness. Background Due to recent advances in detection and treatment, cancer is now regarded as a chronic illness. However, living with cancer as a chronic illness can lead to a number of physical and psychosocial consequences all of which can lead to uncertainty over how patients view and plan for their future. Design A longitudinal qualitative study. Methods Individuals attending oncology follow‐up clinics with their clinical nurse specialist at a hospital in the North East of England were invited to participate in two semistructured interviews over a 6‐month period. A total of six individuals consented to participate, of whom two were women. One participant could not be contacted for the second interview, resulting in 11 interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results Two super‐ordinate themes emerged from the analysis: physical and psychological consequences of cancer and adapting to life after treatment. Conclusion The experience of future disorientation was common among participants; however, this was impacted on by a number of factors such as functional impairment and fear of recurrence. Furthermore, future disorientation does not appear to be stable and may ease as patients begin to adjust to the uncertainty of living with colorectal cancer as a chronic illness.

Date: 2018
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https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14509

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:27:y:2018:i:15-16:p:3148-3156

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