title: Patient experiences of awake craniotomy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
abstract: Awake craniotomy with language mapping enables maximum resection of tumours in eloquent areas while preserving function. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of those undergoing an awake craniotomy. Six participants who underwent awake craniotomy were interviewed, and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Themes were identified as 'Unspeakable Fear', 'Dissociation' and 'Control and Responsibility'. Participants discussed how surgery was a threat to the sense of self. Dissociation during surgery operated as a protective mechanism, while the surgical team all had roles in maintaining this bubble of dissociation, such as being a support to the patient's emotional needs.
authors.affiliation: 1 Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, UK.|2 The University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Howie
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Manchester, UK.|3 Salford Royal Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Jacki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bambrough
authors.affiliation: 3 Salford Royal Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karabatsou
authors.affiliation: 4 University of London, UK.|5 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: John Re
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fox
keywords: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis; cancer; clinical health psychology; intervention; neurosurgery