Work

The experience of patients with cancer on narrative practice: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis

Year: 2020

Type: review

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, narrative practice has been applied in clinical settings to address the relational and psychological concerns that occur in tandem with physical illness. It is an emerging strategy to treat patients as individuals with their own stories, rather than purely based on symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the experience of patients with cancer using narrative practice. METHODS: Following a systematic search strategy, a literature search was conducted to identify qualitative studies on the experience of patients with cancer using narrative practice. Nine databases were searched up to April 2018, which included six English databases and three Chinese databases. A meta-synthesis was conducted to synthesize the findings of the included studies. MAIN RESULTS: Seven studies out of 2894 studies were included in this review. Patients with cancer had different preferences on narrative practices. In terms of the impacts of narrative practice on patients with cancer, six themes were identified, which included '(a) reducing the gap between patients and clinicians; (b) healing effect; (c) social connection; (d) facilitating self-reflection, self-recognition and self-realization; (e) risk of negative impacts; and (f) Patients' preference on different approaches of narrative practice'. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cancer experienced positive effects regarding narrative practice. Although some patients may experience negative effects, narrative practice is a humanized way to provide care for patients with cancer in the clinical settings.

Source: Health Expectations

DOI: 10.1111/hex.13003

Authors: Yan Yang, Jiehui Xu, Yihui Hu, Jiale Hu, Anli Jiang

Institutions: Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Renji Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth University

Language: English

Topic: Empathy and Medical Education

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,430