European Journal of Oncology Nursing
Volume 14, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 244-252

The benefit of meeting a stranger: Experiences with emotional support provided by nurses among Danish-born and migrant cancer patients (Article)

Kristiansen M.* , Tjørnhøj-Thomsen T. , Krasnik A.
  • a Health Services Research Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, Building 15, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • b Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Oslash; ster Farimagsgade 5A, Building 8, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
  • c Health Services Research Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, Building 10, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Abstract

Purpose: Research among cancer patients has shown that emotional support in informal relationships may be difficult to access because of a fear or lack of knowledge about cancer. Consequently, formal relationships with healthcare professionals may be important sources of support. Aim: This study explores needs for and experiences with emotional support provided by nurses as well as prerequisites for the provision of support among Danish-born and migrant cancer patients. Method: We conducted narrative interviews with 18 adult Danish-born and migrant cancer patients. Patients were recruited from a variety of places in a purposive strategic sampling process. Analysis was inspired by phenomenological methods and Simmel's theoretical concept of " the stranger" Results: Both Danish-born and migrant patients perceived the support delivered by healthcare professionals as available, empathic and valuable. Prerequisites for providing emotional support were 1) setting aside time for the patient to feel safe and able to verbalise emotional concerns, 2) continuity in relationships with healthcare professionals, and 3) nurses' ability to understand the patient's emotional reactions without creating additional distress. Conclusions: Being positioned as a stranger to the patient gives nurses a unique position from which to provide emotional support during cancer treatment. Thus, formal relationships with healthcare professionals are of great importance for many cancer patients. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Author Keywords

qualitative research cancer Social support Care Healthcare professional Ethnicity

Index Keywords

Communication Barriers nursing psychological aspect Communication demography nursing methodology research neoplasm interpersonal communication Neoplasms human communication disorder middle aged Denmark health service Aged social support ethnology Health Services Needs and Demand Residence Characteristics nurse attitude Nurse's Role Humans Empathy male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire Article Questionnaires adult Oncologic Nursing migration Psychological Theory oncology nursing Nurse-Patient Relations nurse patient relationship attitude to health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77953541734&doi=10.1016%2fj.ejon.2010.01.028&partnerID=40&md5=3f9dc219f362bda20215ebb7a7bcca69
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2010.01.028
ISSN: 14623889
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English