title: Cancer patients' experiences of their personal strengths through illness and recovery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer patients' strengths and capabilities have received little attention from healthcare providers whose primary focus is on patients' problems. Thus, providers miss an important opportunity to build on cancer patients' strengths. New care approaches are needed that nourish patients' strengths and encourage them to take an active role in their care. Focusing on health assets is 1 such approach. However, so far, little is known about the strengths cancer patients use and experience during their illness and recovery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to explore and describe cancer patients' experiences and perception of their strengths, needed or used by themselves or supported by their care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this qualitative, exploratory study, we collected data from 26 participants in 4 focus group interviews. We conducted a qualitative, thematic analysis with an inductive approach to analyze the interview transcripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cancer patients described a large repertoire of strengths they used or wished for during illness and recovery including good mood, mindfulness, willpower, positive relationships, hopes and beliefs, protection, and taking action and control. Patients also reported that healthcare providers rarely focused on patients' strengths, something they fervently wished for.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients want their strengths to be more appreciated and encouraged by care providers, to become active partners in care and feeling in control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support that patients' own strengths are a crucial factor to get through their illness. Nurses should therefore have a greater focus on eliciting and nourishing patients' personal strengths in their care.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Shared Decision Making and Nursing Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway. ann.kristin.rotegard@rr-research.no
authors.forename: Ann Kristin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Rotegård
authors.forename: May Solveig
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fagermoen
authors.forename: Cornelia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ruland
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research