title: Living with cancer and perception of care: Icelandic oncology outpatients, a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This qualitative study was set out to explore oncology outpatient experiences of having cancer, to illuminate coping strategies and to explore perceptions of care and service provided while treated for cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy were consecutively selected for the study in three oncology outpatient clinics in Iceland; mean age was 55 years. All participants gave written consent but five dropped out of the study. Twenty-five semi-structured single interviews were conducted and analysed using manifest and latent content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The descriptive level of the text could be understood as: (a) getting cancer: alarming experience; (b) coping: balancing life as it was before cancer against present situation to achieve normality; (c) satisfaction: encountering caring behaviour enhances satisfaction and well being. Each of the categories encompassed variation of subcategories. All the categories were summarised in the core category: "Being in the alarming situation of getting cancer evokes a strong need to maintain normality and keep uncertainty at distance with support from caring and sensitive encounters." This reflected patients' overall experiences of being diagnosed with cancer, how they coped and their perception of quality of care while going through treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reactions to the diagnosis of cancer indicate strong emotional reactions. A strong will to handle the situation and determination to maintain normality in life was prominent. Establishment of positive patient-health care professional relationships, caring encounters, faith, believing in treatment and support from family was highly valued as support and giving hope.
authors: Department of Nursing Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Akureyri, 600, Akureyri, Iceland. elisabet@unak.is
authors: Elísabet
authors: E
authors: Hjörleifsdóttir
authors: Ingalill Rahm
authors: IR
authors: Hallberg
authors: Elín Díanna
authors: ED
authors: Gunnarsdóttir
authors: Ingrid Agren
authors: IA
authors: Bolmsjö
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D005791:Patient Care / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support