Conceptual analysis of suffering in cancer: a systematic review

Psycho-oncology
Megan BestFleur Webster

Abstract

Patient suffering is a neglected area of care, partly because of poor definitions. The aim of this study was to distill what is currently known about suffering in the health literature in order to generate a conceptual basis for further research. A systematic review focusing on suffering across all cancers was undertaken. The search included peer-reviewed English articles published between 1992 and 2012 in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library databases focusing on conceptualisation of suffering in adult cancer patients. Seminal theoretical articles conceptualising suffering more generally were also eligible. To ensure identification of a sufficiently broad range of conceptualisations of suffering in cancer, the search strategy was drafted iteratively. Study findings were subjected to conceptual analysis using the evolutionary method. One hundred twenty-eight studies were identified, which discussed definitions or conceptualisations of suffering. In terms of its attributes, suffering is defined as 'an all-encompassing, dynamic, individual phenomenon characterized by the experience of alienation, helplessness, hopelessness and meaninglessness in the sufferer which is difficult for them to articulate. It is multi-dim...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1986·Journal of Advanced Nursing·D L Kahn, R H Steeves
Mar 18, 1982·The New England Journal of Medicine·E J Cassel
Sep 16, 1982·The New England Journal of Medicine
Jun 1, 1995·ANS. Advances in Nursing Science·J B Younger
Feb 1, 1995·Seminars in Oncology Nursing·D L Kahn, R H Steeves
Sep 1, 1993·Journal of Advanced Nursing·L Lindholm, K Eriksson
Oct 1, 1996·Cancer Nursing·J Georgesen, J M Dungan
Dec 21, 1996·BMJ : British Medical Journal·C Saunders
May 1, 1997·Journal of Advanced Nursing·B L Rodgers, K V Cowles
Jul 1, 1997·Palliative Medicine·P Strang
Oct 17, 1998·Cancer Nursing·M Kuuppelomäki, S Lauri
Apr 28, 2000·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·P Rousseau
Feb 28, 2001·Palliative Medicine·S Adelbratt, P Strang
May 8, 2001·Qualitative Health Research·A W Frank
Jun 26, 2001·The Oncologist·R T PensonT J Lynch
Aug 2, 2001·The Hastings Center Report·T Dunne
May 2, 2002·Cancer Nursing·Maria ArmanElisabeth Hamrin
Oct 31, 2002·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·David M Clarke, David W Kissane
Apr 22, 2003·Qualitative Health Research·Maria Arman, Arne Rehnsfeldt
Nov 13, 2003·Death Studies·Pam McGrath
Jan 22, 2004·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Harvey Max Chochinov
Jan 22, 2004·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Marlene Z CohenMichael J Fisch
Feb 14, 2004·European Journal of Cancer Care·R J MooreF R Khuri
Mar 16, 2004·Oncology Nursing Forum·Doris Dickerson Coward, David L Kahn
Sep 10, 2004·Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences·Arne Rehnsfeldt, Katie Eriksson
Nov 17, 2004·International Journal of Nursing Practice·Maria ArmanKatie Eriksson
Dec 8, 2004·International Journal of Palliative Nursing·Nessa Coyle
Jun 30, 2005·Palliative Medicine·Yvonne Yi Wood Mak, Glyn Elwyn
Aug 17, 2005·Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences·Susan Rydahl-Hansen
Nov 5, 2005·Holistic Nursing Practice·Liwliwa R Villagomeza
Nov 23, 2005·International Journal of Palliative Nursing·Annie Perreault, Frances Fothergill Bourbonnais
Feb 9, 2006·The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy·Tomasz R Okon
May 23, 2006·Nursing Ethics·Dagfinn Nåden, Berit Saeteren
Oct 17, 2006·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Caterina MakoShannon R Poppito
Oct 28, 2006·Palliative & Supportive Care·Hisayuki MurataUNKNOWN Japanese Task Force
May 2, 2007·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Keith G WilsonRobin L Fainsinger
Jun 5, 2007·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Nancy Berlinger
Jul 10, 2007·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Scott A MurrayAziz Sheikh
Jul 28, 2007·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Harvey Max Chochinov
Mar 7, 2008·Oncology Nursing Forum·Betty R Ferrell, Nessa Coyle
Mar 25, 2008·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·Mari Lloyd-WilliamsDavid Kissane
Jul 30, 2008·Palliative & Supportive Care·Christina Melin-JohanssonElla Danielson
Dec 23, 2008·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Tara SanftNessa Coyle
Mar 11, 2009·Oncology Nursing Forum·Ulrica Langegard, Karin Ahlberg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 8, 2016·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Megan BestIan Olver
Nov 4, 2015·Palliative & Supportive Care·Megan BestIan Olver
Apr 22, 2015·Palliative Medicine·Megan BestFleur Webster
Aug 7, 2019·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·M RenzF Strasser
Jul 10, 2019·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Colombe TricouMarilene Filbet
Oct 17, 2017·JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports·Rita Santos SilvaJoão Luís Alves Apóstolo
Mar 28, 2019·Revista brasileira de enfermagem·Eunice SáMarta Lima Basto
May 20, 2020·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Paola DordoniLara Bellardita
Nov 20, 2020·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Ayuk Cucuk IskandarRick Wiechula
Apr 6, 2021·Nursing & Health Sciences·Angelo Braga MendonçaKarina Cardoso Meira
Aug 31, 2021·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Alexandra Guité-Verret, Melanie Vachon
Nov 25, 2021·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Andrea Carolina BenitesManoel Antônio Dos Santos

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved