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. 2023 Mar 31:14:1117967.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1117967. eCollection 2023.

Factors affecting well-being in brain tumor patients: An LMIC perspective

Nasim Zahid Shah  1 , Taleaa Masroor  2 , Nida Zahid  2 , Wajeeha Zahid  3 , Aneesa Hassan  1 , Iqbal Azam  3 , Khabir Ahmad  2 , Shireen Shehzad Bhamani  1 , Adnan Abdul Jabbar  4 , Nargis Asad  5 , Muhammad Shahzad Shamim  2 , Rashid Jooma Khan  2 , Gohar Javed  2 , Ehsan Bari  2 , Syed Ather Enam  2
Affiliations

Factors affecting well-being in brain tumor patients: An LMIC perspective

Nasim Zahid Shah et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Brain tumor is a devastating and often fatal diagnosis; quality of life and patient well-being are important goals of treatment. This study addresses the gap in culture-specific literature exploring the needs and coping strategies of brain tumor patients within an LMIC setting.

Methodology: A qualitative approach was undertaken using an exploratory descriptive study design. In-depth interviews were conducted to capture the perspective of 250 brain tumor patients at a private tertiary center followed by extensive content analysis to identify major themes and sub-themes across responses.

Results: The analysis identified three major themes: (i) Factors affecting the lives of brain tumor survivors (BTSs) and their impact (ii) What works to improve QoL according to the survivors' perspectives, and (iii) Coping tactics & fostering healthy relationships. The need for financial navigation strategies improved patient-physician relationships, and reinforcing positive coping strategies were emphasized.

Conclusion: In our population, family support and spiritual connection played an important role in helping patients mitigate the psychosocial burden of illness. However, financial concerns were pervasive and need to be addressed for better overall well-being.

Keywords: brain tumor; qualitative research; quality of life; resilience; wellbeing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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