'Being known': patients' perspectives of the dynamics of human connection in cancer care.
In the context of a large study of effective and ineffective cancer care communications from the perspective of patients with cancer, the authors documented the pervasiveness of the desire for human connection. Analyzing accounts from 200 patients with diverse cancer experiences, they concluded that, while anonymity is generally antithetical to a comfortable cancer care encounter, there are wide variations in what it means to 'be known' in a meaningful way. In this discussion, a description of the dynamics of being known and not being known within the cancer care encounter is presented, and a range of variations considered. By illuminating the manner in which communication influences human connection within the cancer care context, the findings of this study challenge some current research directions and propose alternative conceptualizations that might better orient future inquiry to enhance practice.
Thorne
Sally E
SE
University of British Columbia School of Nursing, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. thorne@nursing.ubc.ca
Kuo
Margot
M
Armstrong
Elizabeth-Anne
EA
McPherson
Gladys
G
Harris
Susan R
SR
Hislop
T Gregory
TG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations