TY - JOUR
T1 - An ethnographic inquiry into the psychosocial care for oncology patients in the community
T2 - Healing from the 4Es
AU - Chan, Engle Angela
AU - Ching, Shirley
AU - Li, Michael
PY - 2018/10
Y1 - 2018/10
N2 - Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore how the provision of community care in a cancer support center can help cancer patients and survivors cope with the demands of cancer and its treatment. Methods: A focused ethnographic approach was adopted. Data were collected through participant observations and focus groups with various stakeholders. The data from the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Results: Four main themes emerged: 1. Enabling users to achieve mental well-being on their coping journey, 2. Empowering users to deal with their uncertainties, 3. Enhancing meaningful nurturing interactions through the design of spaces and colors in the Centre, and 4. Evolving through seeing more value in themselves. These 4Es occurred through intimate human interaction in the Centre, which resulted in psychological renewal and the rebuilding of a sense of self among the users. Conclusions: This study provides insights on the provision of community support services for cancer patients/users, specifically on how to help them to regain control over their lives, not only through providing services for psychosocial renewal by engaging in intimate human interactions, but also by contributing to an understanding of the effect of the physical environment and space on healing. The results also reveal a virtuous circle of the 4Es as the synergies from the services, activities and the environment in the Centre, which provide a harmonious context for the users in coping with their cancer journey.
AB - Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore how the provision of community care in a cancer support center can help cancer patients and survivors cope with the demands of cancer and its treatment. Methods: A focused ethnographic approach was adopted. Data were collected through participant observations and focus groups with various stakeholders. The data from the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Results: Four main themes emerged: 1. Enabling users to achieve mental well-being on their coping journey, 2. Empowering users to deal with their uncertainties, 3. Enhancing meaningful nurturing interactions through the design of spaces and colors in the Centre, and 4. Evolving through seeing more value in themselves. These 4Es occurred through intimate human interaction in the Centre, which resulted in psychological renewal and the rebuilding of a sense of self among the users. Conclusions: This study provides insights on the provision of community support services for cancer patients/users, specifically on how to help them to regain control over their lives, not only through providing services for psychosocial renewal by engaging in intimate human interactions, but also by contributing to an understanding of the effect of the physical environment and space on healing. The results also reveal a virtuous circle of the 4Es as the synergies from the services, activities and the environment in the Centre, which provide a harmonious context for the users in coping with their cancer journey.
KW - Cancer care center
KW - Community support
KW - Ethnography
KW - Humanity
KW - Multi-disciplinary
KW - Psychosocial services
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85051786175&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.08.005
DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.08.005
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 30322508
AN - SCOPUS:85051786175
SN - 1462-3889
VL - 36
SP - 40
EP - 47
JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
ER -