The Omnipresence of Cancer: Two Perspectives

(How) Do We Theorize?: A Focused Mapping Review and Synthesis of Theoretical Nursing Research in the German-Speaking Area

There are increasing discussions on theory dynamics in nursing research. We aimed at mapping the theoretical publication output by nursing researchers from the European German-speaking area. We conducted a focused mapping review and synthesis, focusing on nursing journals articles with a theory-related aim. We identified 32 eligible publications, reflecting 2% of the nursing journal articles affiliated with researchers from our target region. Twenty-one articles involved an inductive approach. Eleven articles intended to test or revise a theory. The theoretical publication output with a theory-related aim was low. Theory-building efforts were fragmented and mostly without reference to a meta-theoretical level.

Gender Minority Persons' Perceptions of Peer-Led Support Groups: A Roy Adaptation Model Interpretation

Literature addressing gender minority health has documented adverse behavioral health outcomes. "Gender minority" recognizes identities that include, but are not limited to, transgender and gender nonconforming. Although gender minority affirmative counseling exists, most continue to focus on pathology and diagnosis, leading people in the gender minority community to mistrust services. Sources of social support can ameliorate gender minority psychological distress by providing an environment that affirms gender identities. The purpose of this study was to identify gender minority peoples' perceptions of their experiences in a peer-led support group. The themes were then interpreted within the context of Roy's Adaptation Model.

What we need to know about uncertainty in illness among people with primary malignant brain tumours: A mixed-methods systematic review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify the characteristics of uncertainty in illness (UI) among people with primary malignant brain tumours (PMBT).

BACKGROUND

High recurrence rates and complex symptoms cause uncertainty in people with PMBT. Given the characteristics of PMBT, reviewing UI among people with PMBT will benefit future research and clinical intervention development.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods systematic review.

METHODS

We performed a mixed-methods systematic review (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane Library), including studies on UI among people with PMBT, searched from the databases' inception to the search date. The initial search was conducted in July 2021, with an additional search in March 2022. The major search terms were PMBT and UI, and no limitations were placed on the study design. The Cochrane tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias in randomised controlled trials, and JBI checklists were used to evaluate quasi-experimental studies, survey methodology studies and a case study. This review was reported using the PRISMA 2020 checklist. Both quantitative and qualitative research data were extracted, analysed and then integrated in three stages of a mixed-methods systematic review.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included. Due to physical, psychological and social risk factors, the UI progression of people with PMBT was complex and ambiguous, although they adapted to the PMBT diagnosis and treatment process. Subsequently, we proposed a model of UI among people with PMBT.

CONCLUSIONS

UI has multidimensional characteristics, and healthcare providers need to consider these aspects for people with PMBT.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The proposed model provides directions for nursing practice and future research. Nurses caring for people with PMBT should comprehend their UI and intervene accordingly.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This review incorporated data including people with PMBT in hospitals and communities. This analysis contributes to the clinical-to-community nursing transition process for people with PMBT.

Reflections on the Complexity of Normalcy in Nursing and Health Care

Striving for normalcy plays an important role in patients' quality of life and illness experience. Normalcy is a powerful and complex idea, and the term can be used intentionally or unintentionally to various effects. We aimed to raise awareness of the complexity of this idea of normalcy and thus promote a more critically reflective understanding among nurses and other health professionals. By raising questions about how we use normalcy in our discourses and the potential impact that our professionally socialized interpretations of what constitutes normal might have on patient experience, we can encourage nurses and other health professionals to develop an intellectual curiosity about how the idea of normalcy works, and to be more critically reflective about how they integrate normalcy language into their practices and patient-centered communications. By unpacking the ideas that normal is always a good thing in the context of patient experience, and that normalizing can neutralize that which is bad in the health care world, we can qualify the language used and the metamessages conveyed for the ultimate benefit of patients.

Need of support perceived by patients primarily curatively treated for breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer and close to discharge from hospital-A qualitative study

AIM

To describe perceived needs of support among patients close to discharge from the hospital and at the end of primary curative radiotherapy for breast, colorectal or prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND

Few studies have specifically explored patients' early support needs when ending primary curative treatment.

DESIGN

Qualitative interview study design.

METHODS

A purposive sample of 27 participants with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer aged 33-88 years. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Reporting followed the COREQ guidelines.

RESULTS

Personal support to reach a sense of control and Social support for personal growth were two main themes, highlighting that people required adapted support from health care since needs of support could change over time. This support from health care was also relying on that trust-based relationships were developed. Through mutuality with others and engagement in meaningful activities people became enabled and felt further supported. Personal support from health care seems specifically important for the patients' feelings of control and could be a facilitator for patients to identify further support for personal growth in how to manage, on the one hand, illness and insecurity, and on the other, their well-being and everyday life with cancer.

CONCLUSION

To empower patients who are ending primary treatment and being close to discharge from hospital, healthcare professionals should recognise patients' shifting needs and adapt the support. Adapted support is significant for patients' sense of safety. Biomedical information is not sufficient to fully support patients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Offering easy access to supportive care when primary treatment is finished could diminish people's stress, insecurity and avoidable use of healthcare services. Even after discharge, nurses preferably should adapt and offer support tailored to patients' needs. Such support may improve patients' sense of control and safety, trust in health care, feelings of community and encourage personal growth.