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. 2013 Jul;22(7):1528-33.
doi: 10.1002/pon.3162. Epub 2012 Aug 18.

'It's all bad news': the first 3 months following a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Anne Arber  1 , Lesley Spencer
Affiliations

'It's all bad news': the first 3 months following a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Anne Arber et al. Psychooncology. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: This study explores patient's experience during the first 3 months following a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Methods: This study uses a grounded theory approach with semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 10 patients during the first 3 months following diagnosis.

Results: The key concept that emerged from the data was this: Uncertainty and lack of control leading to emotional, physical and psychosocial distress. Three themes informed the key concept: ' it's all bad news', 'good and bad days' and strategies of amelioration. Patients worked with a short-term perspective on their illness but worried about the long-term outcome and the speed of their deterioration.

Conclusions: Patients receive insufficient psychosocial support during the first 3 months following diagnosis. An early palliative care referral would improve support and referral strategies during the first 3 months of the disease.

Keywords: grounded theory; pleural mesothelioma; psychosocial care; terminal illness; uncertainty.

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