The Significance of Fellow Patients for the Patient With Cancer
- 1 October 2000
- journal article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Cancer Nursing
- Vol. 23 (5), 382-391
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00002820-200010000-00010
Abstract
Based on two qualitative studies, this article describes the significance of fellow patients in cancer wards, and the relevance for health personnel involved in patient–patient relationships is discussed. Using grounded theory, in-depth interviews were conducted in the first study with 21 adult cancer patients and in a follow-up study with 8 patients and 27 health care providers. The findings indicate that the significance of fellow patients for the patient with cancer can be described in terms of three different dimensions: attitudes toward own illness, interpersonal relationships, and environmental factors. Although contact with fellow patients most often seems to engender positive experiences, some negative experiences are reported also. The suggestions in this article for practical implications are meant to help nurses and other health care providers to promote positive and prevent negative consequences in patient–patient relationships in hospitals.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Literature on Interventions to Address Cancer Patients' Psychosocial NeedsJournal of Psychosocial Oncology, 1997
- Social support and the cancer patient ? A need for clarityEuropean Journal of Cancer Care, 1997
- Critical Review of Psychosocial Interventions in Cancer CareArchives of General Psychiatry, 1995
- Effectiveness of self-help and support groups for cancer patients: A ReviewPsychology & Health, 1994
- Negative Experiences in Support GroupsSocial Work in Health Care, 1994
- A breast cancer support group: Activities and value to mastectomy patientsJournal of Cancer Education, 1993
- Factors Associated with Cancer Patients' Participation in Support GroupsJournal of Psychosocial Oncology, 1992
- Support Groups in OncologyJournal of Psychosocial Oncology, 1991
- Self-help in cancer patients: A review of studies on the effects of contacts between fellow-patientsPatient Education and Counseling, 1986
- Social Support and the Cancer PatientCancer, 1984