Normalcy: An important focus for individuals diagnosed with a haematological malignancy

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Author(s)
McGrath, Pamela
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2014
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This article presents findings that highlight the significance of the tension between the focus on disease and treatment verses the focus on re-engaging with life for individuals facing the crisis of being diagnosed with a haematology malignancy. The findings are from a study on survivorship conducted throughout Queensland, Australia. The research was based on a qualitative design involving a series of open-ended interviews (n = 50) and one focus group which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded and thematically analysed for the research. The findings affirm the importance of a sense of normalcy and the process ...
View more >This article presents findings that highlight the significance of the tension between the focus on disease and treatment verses the focus on re-engaging with life for individuals facing the crisis of being diagnosed with a haematology malignancy. The findings are from a study on survivorship conducted throughout Queensland, Australia. The research was based on a qualitative design involving a series of open-ended interviews (n = 50) and one focus group which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded and thematically analysed for the research. The findings affirm the importance of a sense of normalcy and the process of re-positioning the central role of the disease in the lives of those diagnosed with a haematological cancer. There are key points when a focus on treatment and disease is unavoidable. However, after treatment the need for supportive care and the consequent reminder of the disease and treatment can "taper off." The challenge is to know when to provide support and when to respect the individual's need to let go of a focus on issues associated with treatment and the disease.
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View more >This article presents findings that highlight the significance of the tension between the focus on disease and treatment verses the focus on re-engaging with life for individuals facing the crisis of being diagnosed with a haematology malignancy. The findings are from a study on survivorship conducted throughout Queensland, Australia. The research was based on a qualitative design involving a series of open-ended interviews (n = 50) and one focus group which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded and thematically analysed for the research. The findings affirm the importance of a sense of normalcy and the process of re-positioning the central role of the disease in the lives of those diagnosed with a haematological cancer. There are key points when a focus on treatment and disease is unavoidable. However, after treatment the need for supportive care and the consequent reminder of the disease and treatment can "taper off." The challenge is to know when to provide support and when to respect the individual's need to let go of a focus on issues associated with treatment and the disease.
View less >
Journal Title
Illness, Crisis, and Loss
Volume
22
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2014 Baywood Publishing. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
Public Health and Health Services