[Patients coping with cancer. A review].
The expression coping is defined. Theoretically, coping is described as either unconscious ego defences or as an expression of concious process. The literature which employs the expression coping in connection with cancer is described. Several methodological problems exist. The initial criteria, the nature of the disease and the time of diagnosis and various types of treatment are some of the factors which inhibit the quality of the investigation. In addition, no discussion is available about the extent to which scientific methods can be employed in assessing the process of coping. Only few investigations are concerned with intervention but the results suggest that it is possible to improve cancer patients' ability to cope with the problems which develop on account of the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Further investigation of the expression, the methods of investigation and intervention are necessary to elucidate the employability in clinical practice.
Johansen
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C
Kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling F, Bispebjerg Hospital, København.
Kopp
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K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*