title: Critical illness--a lived reality for patients and their families.
abstract: This case study tells of one family's experience surrounding the diagnosis of rare cancer, where both the medical system and family struggle with a critical, largely unknown illness. The experience was complicated by communication issues between the medical profession and family, support from counselling services, and lack of information--compounded by a health system concentrated in metropolitan areas.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia. jfoster@scu.edu.au
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support