Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer

Objective: Oral tongue cancer presents clinical challenges to effective diagnosis that affect patient experience. Patient experience of the diagnostic process is poorly described, making opportunities for nursing intervention unclear. Methods: We qualitatively describe, using constant comparative an...

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Main Authors: Genevieve Philiponis, Kelly M Malloy, Sarah H Kagan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2015-01-01
Series:Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2015;volume=2;issue=4;spage=242;epage=249;aulast=Philiponis
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author Genevieve Philiponis
Kelly M Malloy
Sarah H Kagan
author_facet Genevieve Philiponis
Kelly M Malloy
Sarah H Kagan
author_sort Genevieve Philiponis
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Oral tongue cancer presents clinical challenges to effective diagnosis that affect patient experience. Patient experience of the diagnostic process is poorly described, making opportunities for nursing intervention unclear. Methods: We qualitatively describe, using constant comparative analysis, oral tongue cancer diagnosis using data from a larger grounded theory study of oral tongue cancer survivorship. Using constant comparative analysis - in keeping with the methodology of the main study - we analyzed 16 survivor interviews for themes explaining the patient experience of oral tongue cancer diagnosis. Results: We termed the broader diagnostic process "living in limbo." This process includes the themes describing the peri-diagnostic process itself - "self-detected lesion," "lack of concern," "seeking help," "not a straightforward diagnosis," and "hearing the diagnosis." Entry into treatment concludes "Living in Limbo" and is described by the theme "worry and trust." Conclusions: Our findings are limited by retrospective interviews and participant homogeneity among other features. Future research with prospective designs and diverse groups of people at risk for and diagnosed with oral tongue cancer, as well as targeting those who have had negative biopsies with no eventual diagnosis of oral tongue cancer, will build on our findings. Further, study of patient experience in other sociocultural context and healthcare systems is needed to inform nursing science and practice. Finally, "living in limbo" suggests that clinician and public education about oral tongue cancer diagnosis is needed.
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spelling doaj.art-0b9aaf8e29fa4199974430dec5ce18282023-08-02T01:21:15ZengElsevierAsia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing2347-56252015-01-012424224910.4103/2347-5625.158021Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancerGenevieve PhiliponisKelly M MalloySarah H KaganObjective: Oral tongue cancer presents clinical challenges to effective diagnosis that affect patient experience. Patient experience of the diagnostic process is poorly described, making opportunities for nursing intervention unclear. Methods: We qualitatively describe, using constant comparative analysis, oral tongue cancer diagnosis using data from a larger grounded theory study of oral tongue cancer survivorship. Using constant comparative analysis - in keeping with the methodology of the main study - we analyzed 16 survivor interviews for themes explaining the patient experience of oral tongue cancer diagnosis. Results: We termed the broader diagnostic process "living in limbo." This process includes the themes describing the peri-diagnostic process itself - "self-detected lesion," "lack of concern," "seeking help," "not a straightforward diagnosis," and "hearing the diagnosis." Entry into treatment concludes "Living in Limbo" and is described by the theme "worry and trust." Conclusions: Our findings are limited by retrospective interviews and participant homogeneity among other features. Future research with prospective designs and diverse groups of people at risk for and diagnosed with oral tongue cancer, as well as targeting those who have had negative biopsies with no eventual diagnosis of oral tongue cancer, will build on our findings. Further, study of patient experience in other sociocultural context and healthcare systems is needed to inform nursing science and practice. Finally, "living in limbo" suggests that clinician and public education about oral tongue cancer diagnosis is needed.http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2015;volume=2;issue=4;spage=242;epage=249;aulast=PhiliponisOral tongue cancercancer diagnosispatient experiencegrounded theoryqualitative research
spellingShingle Genevieve Philiponis
Kelly M Malloy
Sarah H Kagan
Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Oral tongue cancer
cancer diagnosis
patient experience
grounded theory
qualitative research
title Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
title_full Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
title_fullStr Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
title_full_unstemmed Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
title_short Living in limbo: Being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
title_sort living in limbo being diagnosed with oral tongue cancer
topic Oral tongue cancer
cancer diagnosis
patient experience
grounded theory
qualitative research
url http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2015;volume=2;issue=4;spage=242;epage=249;aulast=Philiponis
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