Abstract

The meaning of waiting for cancer. Index Enferm [online]. 2009, vol.18, n.1, pp.28-31. ISSN 1699-5988.

Aim. This paper reports, from a heideggerian phenomenologic perspective, a case study with the aim of gaining understanding on the meaning of waiting during the pre-diagnosis stage of cancer. Method. A literature review was conducted using 4 databases. Convenience sampling technique was used to invite one participant. She was interviewed about feelings and thoughts on the experience and the perception on time, space, body and relationships. Analysis was conducted using the framework proposed by Vydenlingum: listening, transcribing, reading, identifying emerging themes, comparing, and building up clusters to reveal meaning. Findings. Themes emerged from the participant’s narrative of the experience. The phenomenological structure of waiting seems to be composed mainly by two opposite mechanisms: (1) responses against threat and (2) compensation and coping strategies. One third cluster was identified - Family preservation - . Results. should be read cautiously yet they are not intended to be generalized. Conclusions. Understanding the meaning of waiting should be considered by all health care professionals yet, waiting is, like pain and sorrow, one of the more frequent experiences during illness. Being aware that from the first symptom to the patient first contact with the health services, and to diagnosis statement, all these mechanisms are already on, is essential to provide comprehensive and sensitive health care.

Keywords : Waiting; Cancer; Nursing; Phenomenology.