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Exceptional patients: Narratives of connections

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2013

Joan C. Engebretson ,
Noemi E. Peterson  and
Moshe Frenkel
Joan C. Engebretson
Affiliation:
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, School of Nursing, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Noemi E. Peterson*
Affiliation:
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, School of Nursing, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Moshe Frenkel
Affiliation:
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, School of Nursing, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Noemi Peterson, 4805 Kingfisher Drive, Houston, TX 77035. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

This study sought to better understand the patient s perspective of the experience of recovery from cancer that appeared to defy medical prognoses.

Methods:

Fourteen cases of medically verified exceptional outcomes were identified. A qualitative approach, employing long narrative interviews was used. Data was analyzed using a cross case thematic analytic approach.

Results:

The major overarching theme was connections, both internal and external. Internal included connections with God or a higher power and with oneself. The external connections, the focus of this paper, included 1) personal connections with friends and family, 2) connections with the medical system: the physician, nurses and other staff, and 3) connections with other patients. They described the nature of these relationships and the importance of frequent contact with family and friends as providing significant emotional and instrumental support. They expressed confidence in receiving care from a reputable clinic, and with very little probing illustrated the importance of the relationship with their providers. They articulated the significance of the compassionate qualities of the physician and identified communication attributes of their physician that were important in establishing this connection. These attributes were demeanor, availability, honesty, sensitivity in the decision making process. They provided examples of positive connections with nurses and other staff as well as with other patients through their illness process.

Significance of results:

The importance of connections in these illness narratives was richly illustrated. These issues often are overlooked in clinical settings; yet they are of crucial importance to the health and well-being of the patients.

Keywords

OncologyNarrativesExceptional outcomesSurvivorsConnections
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 269 - 276
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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