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Biomedical subjects

B van der Molen

Publications and source records attributed to B van der Molen.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Relating information needs to the cancer experience. 2. Themes from six cancer narratives.

Many different issues may arise for individuals with cancer, where the provision of information can be an effective coping strategy. It is also clear that information needs change over time and vary from person to person. This paper considers six cancer narratives from a study seeking to identify the information needs of people with cancer that emerged out of their cancer experience. Six respondents were invited to tell their story through in-depth interviews and narrative analysis uncovered thematic aspects of the lived experience. Themes emerged which showed that cancer impacts on different aspects of an individual's self-identity, including body image, family, social and work relationships. Cancer was viewed as an intrusion and the illness engendered feelings of vulnerability that impacted on their normal coping mechanisms. This resulted in a decreased ability to process information. While individuals expressed medical information needs, they were less likely to articulate their need for information when it related to other areas of their lives. Individuals reached a turning point during their experience, when the self-acknowledgement that they were living with cancer, enabled them to become more active respondents in the information process. As this stage cannot readily be identified as occurring at a specific point of the cancer trajectory, communication channels need to be kept open regarding information-giving. This raises questions about areas for further study.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Relating information-needs to the cancer experience. 1. Jenny's story: a cancer narrative.

This paper is based on a phenomenological study that used narratives to explore lived cancer experiences. The aim of the study was to determine the important issues for people with cancer that arose out of their cancer experience, and to place their information-needs within the stages of the cancer trajectory. The literature highlights the importance of information-giving; however, many problems are encountered with its provision. People with cancer frequently express dissatisfaction with the information given to them and experience difficulty in retaining and processing information. Six individuals were invited to tell the story of their cancer experience through in-depth interviews and narrative analysis uncovered thematic aspects of the lived experience. One interview in particular stood out as capturing the essence of a lived experience. Jenny's narrative had a beginning, a middle and an end, features that are traditionally associated with stories. This paper focuses on her story in depth, and illustrates the extent to which cancer can impinge on normal coping mechanisms. A diagnosis of cancer cannot be isolated from the other events in an individual's life, and themes emerged which showed that cancer impacts on different aspects of an individual's self-identity, including body image, family, social and work relationships. The cancer experience invariably begins before the point of diagnosis and information-needs clearly change over time.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Learning to live with cancer: the UK experience of a European patient education and support programme.

'Learning to Live with Cancer' is a structured education and support programme for people with cancer and their families. The UK programme, now in its third year, is based on the original American 'I Can Cope' educational package pioneered by Dr Judi Johnson. The Learning to Live with Cancer programme was developed collaboratively between Judi Johnson and Dr Gertrud Grahn, Sweden. Based on sound educational principles, it has been promoted by the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS). The complexities of an individual's response to the diagnosis of cancer is well documented. Needs for information and support will change throughout the cancer experience. The Learning to Live with Cancer programme aims to educate patients and families in order that people gain a greater understanding and can explore ways of managing illness better. An 8-week course of 2 h each week provides opportunities for learning, sharing experiences and mutual support in meeting others undergoing a similar experience. Ongoing work, now in progress, aims to develop further Learning to Live with Cancer courses for professionals to facilitate in cancer centres throughout the UK.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Relating information needs to the cancer experience: 1. Information as a key coping strategy.

Information-seeking behaviour is a strategy that many people use as a means of coping with, and reducing stress, throughout their cancer experience. The importance of providing information to people with cancer and many of the problems encountered with its provision have been well documented. Individuals frequently express dissatisfaction with the information given to them and experience difficulty in retaining and processing information. Lack of information may well lead to increased problems with anxiety and coping. This paper reviews and explores the literature associated with the information needs of people with cancer and the use of information as a coping strategy. The review forms part of a phenomenological study, conducted to explore the important issues for people with cancer that arose out of their cancer experience. Much of the literature discusses information-giving from the viewpoint of healthcare professionals rather than from the viewpoint of users and concentrates solely on information needs relating to the disease and its medical treatment. There is scant reference to the need for information on other issues such as available financial and community resources, or coping strategies.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Dyspnoea: a study of measurement instruments for the assessment of dyspnoea and their application for patients with advanced cancer.

Dyspnoea or breathlessness is a problem commonly encountered in the palliative care of many patients with advanced cancer, although its impact on the patient is frequently under-estimated. In advanced cancer, the aim of effective management is to minimize the patient's perception of breathlessness which, in turn, depends on reliable assessment. Most of the knowledge and experience of dyspnoea has been acquired through working with patients with chronic pulmonary disease and there is a dearth of literature relating specifically to the assessment of dyspnoea in advanced cancer. A critical analysis of available literature was undertaken and measurement instruments available for assessing breathlessness and their application to dyspnoeic patients with advanced cancer were reviewed. Dyspnoea is a complex, multidimensional sensation and its subjectivity makes it difficult to quantify. For patients with advanced cancer, dyspnoea may be one of many symptoms and measurement instruments need to take this into account. No single measurement instrument takes into account the different components of dyspnoea and as the final choice will depend on the purpose of assessment, it is likely that more than one instrument will be required.

Dyspnea↗