title: Differences in depressed oncologic patients' narratives after receiving two different therapeutic interventions for depression: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to explore differences in personal narratives of the experience of illness and treatment in depressed oncologic patients who received either combined treatment for depression (psychotherapy plus antidepressants) or standard treatment (antidepressants alone).
  
  
  METHODS
  We employed a qualitative research design based on grounded theory. Data were collected from eight videotaped focus groups and semi-structured interviews with a total of 28 participants. The research team reviewed interview transcripts and categorized the participants' responses using the ATLAS.ti (ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH Hardenbergstr. 7 D-10623, Berlin) software package.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with patients in the standard treatment group, patients in the combined treatment group were better able to relate their experiences of physical and emotional discomfort and find meaning in the experience of illness by viewing cancer as a transformative experience. In addition, patients in the combined treatment group tended to use more active coping strategies based on acceptance of their situation and emphasized that psychotherapy had been helpful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Qualitative analysis is an efficient method of examining the meaning of quantitative results in depth, particularly patients' perspectives on quality of life. Patients undergoing combined treatment consider psychotherapy to be a helpful tool and exhibit more personal growth than do patients undergoing standard treatment.
authors: Psychiatry Service, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. beatrizrvega@gmail.com
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Rodríguez Vega
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Orgaz Barnier
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Bayón
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Palao
authors: Guadalupe
authors: G
authors: Torres
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Hospital
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Benito
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Dieguez
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Fernández Liria
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram