title: A grounded theory exploration of the first visit to a cancer clinic--strategies for achieving acceptance.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate cancer patients' experiences of their first visit to a cancer clinic. Nine patients with various cancer diagnoses about to receive curative cancer treatment were interviewed after their first visit to the clinic. A qualitative research approach based on Grounded Theory was used throughout the research process. The data analysis gave rise to a process leading to a core category which showed how patients can reach acceptance of the impact cancer has on their lives. Five different categories were identified as being important for reaching acceptance, namely action, knowledge, respect, continuity and confidence. The patients expressed the need for receiving treatment for their cancer without delay, and for continuity in their care. They needed to be given individualized, relevant information about their illness and to be treated with respect. If these needs were met a feeling of confidence resulted. Meeting all of these needs helped patients accept the impact cancer had on their lives, as did confidence in the care being given. Acceptance was reached when patients felt they could actively participate in treatment decisions, when they knew what to expect and when they felt they were being treated as individuals. Health care professionals should be aware of these needs, and should try to treat their patients as individuals and thus help them to achieve acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Caring Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Gothenburg S-430 45, Sweden. sofie.jakobsson@fhs.gu.se
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jakobsson
authors.forename: Gyorgy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahlberg
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden