Hope through shifting mindsets: Finding inward strength, making living with cancer possible.

Abstract

This study explored the effect of spiritual, emotional and psychosocial support within a rehabilitative care approach in relation to three distressing cancer symptoms; pain, dyspnoea and fatigue. A phenomenological orientated psychological approach was used in a cohort with a median age of 66 years to answer two related questions: ‘What is the phenomenon that is experienced and lived?’ and ‘how does it show itself?’ Semi-structured interviews of the participants were then transcribed and significant statements were extracted using Colaizzi (1978) methodology. Key themes, which form the basis of the findings, were then derived from the data by categorising words, statements, and phrases according to their similarities and characteristics. The remaining significant statements became the raw data for analysis. The relevance and benefits of the spiritual, emotional and psychosocial support were then identified using quality of life markers established during the data analysis. The research findings uncovered a relationship between quality of life and rehabilitation where the rehabilitative care approach was perceived to improve quality of life by giving the participant some sense of purpose and that it provided a reason to live instead of just existing. This research indicates that the role of the health care professionals in palliative care is to provide hope for individuals facing cancer. Hope in this context is the ability to equip the person with the knowledge that they can achieve more than they thought they could through the use of a variety of therapies and communication skills and so enhance the individual’s quality of life.