Meanings and Aspects of Quality of Life (Qol) for Cancer Patients: A Descriptive Exploratory Qualitative Study Publisher



Bahrami M¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Contemporary Nurse Published:2011

Abstract

Given the importance of Quality of Life (QoL) for cancer patients, it is important to work out what this concept means not only for cancer patients, and for the nurses who care for them, but also the aspects of which it is composed. Therefore, an interpretive research study was conducted to explore in-depth meanings and aspects of QoL as expressed by cancer patients and their nurses. Participants were selected from different inpatient and outpatient oncology services and a palliative setting in Adelaide, Australia. Results showed that many aspects contribute to an individual's QoL. These include the physical, the psychological, the spiritual, and both environmental and social interactions. Patients and their nurses stated that both physical and psychological aspects are equally important elements of individual's QoL. For other aspects nurses generally became a voice for their patients. More importantly, participants stated that spirituality is multifaceted and that there may be aspects in life that may be taken for granted. The majority of individuals spend their lives without any deep consideration of which issues really contribute to their QoL; that is, unless their QoL is challenged. Research results from this study suggest that discussion on the QoL concept generally focused more on spiritual aspects. It is most likely that such a focus may resolve many ambiguities that exist in the field of QoL. © 1992-2011 eContent Management.