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Enhanced recovery after surgery programs with median postoperative hospitalization of 2 days improve outcomes after lung cancer surgery. This article explores nursing care practices for patients with lung cancer who remain hospitalized despite having recovered somatically. Qualitative focus group interviews were conducted with 16 nurses. Ricoeur's phenomenological hermeneutics underpins the methodology applied in this study, and we relied on Benner and Wrubel's theory. The nurses emphasized that the thoughts of patients with a recent lung cancer diagnosis revolve around more than the surgery. Nursing comprises not only practicalities but also attending to patients' stress and their coping with being struck with lung cancer and having undergone surgery. A counterculture emerged to counteract the logic of productivity, indicating that caring as a worthy end in itself may be underestimated in protocol-driven care. Prolonging hospitalization largely depends on clinical judgment. The nurses' aim is not to keep patients in the hospital but to avoid any needless suffering, allowing them to reclaim the primacy of caring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite growing international attention, few interventions specifically target adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer even though appropriate interventions may improve care delivery during cancer treatment. The study's purpose was to explore how AYAs with cancer experience an age-appropriate intervention when undergoing treatment in adult surgery clinics. Methods: Twenty AYAs with cancer, aged 18–29 years, from five surgery clinics at Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet participated in an intervention consisting of three main components: care provided by trained youth coordinator nurses (YCNs) to the greatest extent possible; a 1-hour one-on-one conversation with a YCN during hospitalization; and a postdischarge phone call. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data, which were analyzed in a stepwise process based on inductive content analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: a beacon in the dark; from patient to person; and the caring check-up. Participants felt safe and experienced a sense of presence and a caring environment in a significant and trusting relationship with YCNs, which encouraged them to share thoughts, feelings, and needs they previously had kept silent about. The one-on-one conversations helped them begin reflecting and in emotional processing and the postdischarge phone call was perceived as a caring check-up. Conclusions: The study shows how an age-appropriate intervention was experienced overall as meaningful for the participants hospitalized in adult surgery clinics, but more research is required to further examine the significance and effect of interventions that target AYAs with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Caring for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivor may impact family caregivers' lives due to the sudden onset of the illness and possible secondary cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. However, experiences of caring for an OHCA survivor are sparsely described. Thus, this study aimed to explore how family caregivers of OHCA survivors experience the potential burden. Methods and results Using an explorative qualitative approach, six focus group interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 family caregivers of OHCA survivors and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach inspired by the philosophy of Ricoeur. The OHCA survivors attended a rehabilitation course, and the family caregivers were interviewed as part of the course. Based on the analysis, three themes emerged: (i) feeling unexpectedly alone and invisible; the family caregivers experienced an emotional burden that could not be shared—leading to caregiving being a lonely experience, (ii) fear of loss; the fear of losing a loved one was a constant companion contributing to the burden, and (iii) adjusting to a new everyday life; the family caregivers had difficulties adjusting to living their lives on the premise of the survivors' needs. Conclusion The findings of this study emphasize the burden experienced by family caregivers and how they can be trapped in competing emotions and tensions. The possible caregiver burden following OHCA should be acknowledged. Interventions to reduce the burden should be tested and implemented as part of the clinical care of OHCA survivors and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Globally, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of mortality among men, and the health management of men is pivotal to prevention and recovery. Many men delay help-seeking and lack knowledge of disease symptomologies. Thus, the aim was to explore how men experience and manage their health while suffering from ischaemic heart disease and having received treatment with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results The study applied a qualitative approach designed within a phenomenological–hermeneutical methodology. Interviews were conducted between April and November 2019 with a criterion sample of 21 male patients within 1–2 weeks post-discharge. The analysis was guided by Paul Ricoeur's theory of text interpretation. After analysing the interviews, the following themes were identified: A functioning body as health , illuminating how a functioning body leads to a feeling of independence; misinterpreting signs of illness showing how symptoms are interpreted as signs of ageing rather than disease; and navigating life with ischaemic heart diseas e focusing on how men retain or maintain health after the threat to life. Conclusion The findings of this study provide insight into men's health and their health management: illuminating how a functioning body can give men a sense of freedom and control, making it difficult to interpret signs of illness, and thus, failing to seek help and feel motivated to make changes when facing a serious health threat. These perspectives should be considered when planning future care and communication with male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on COVID‐19 has reported data on epidemiology and pathophysiology but less about what it means to be a person living through this illness. Research involving the patients' perspectives may help to improve healthcare professionals' understanding of ways to support patients. Aims: To gain in‐depth understanding of the meaning of a COVID‐19 illness trajectory from the patients' perspective. Methods: Fifteen participants who had undergone an illness trajectory due to confirmed COVID‐19 infection participated in individual qualitative interviews. Data collection, analysis and interpretation were inspired by Ricoeur's philosophy and Merleau‐Ponty's phenomenology of perception and embodiment has been applied as a theoretical frame. Findings: Being infected with coronavirus is expressed as an experience in which the participants oscillate between relief, security, imprisonment and raw fear. A predominant focus on the physical dimensions of the diseased body was found in the encounters between patient and healthcare system, and distance may furthermore be a consequence of use of protective equipment. Stigma and fear of infection were also expressed. After COVID‐19, an overwhelming feeling of a door opening to freedom is perceived. However, the body is marked, and bears witness to decay from this insidious and frightening virus. The responsibility for assessing their bodily symptoms is placed with the individual patients themselves, who feel lonely and fearful and this keeps them indoors. Conclusions: During a COVID‐19 illness, trajectory concerns about the unknown course of this disease are highlighted. Isolation is confrontational; however, a companionship between patients might emerge. The study shed light on an unavoidable gap between the patients and healthcare professionals due to the use protective equipment. After COVID‐19, the body is labelled as something others fear and become a symbol of awe and alienation for others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer hospitalized in adult surgery clinics are an overlooked group of patients. They are a minority hospitalized among elderly surgical patients, and the surroundings and care are designed with older patients in mind. A growing body of research focuses on AYAs' experiences of cancer care. However, studies exploring care experiences in terms of in-patient surgery treatment are still needed. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore the needs and care experiences of AYAs, 15–29 years of age, treated for cancer in adult surgery clinics. Methods: This qualitative study was based on semistructured interviews with 15 AYAs with cancer from seven surgery clinics at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. Data were analyzed and interpreted using inductive content analysis. The Danish Data Protection Agency approved the study (project no.: 05617). Results: Three themes were identified: (1) being the black sheep – experiences of being young in an adult environment, (2) the significant nurse – experiences of the essential relationship between AYAs and the nurses, and (3) the wounded body – experiences of how the physically changed body affects the mind. Conclusions: Our findings showed that the psychosocial needs of AYAs with cancer hospitalized in adult surgery clinics were not being adequately met. Initiatives are needed to improve the psychological and social well-being of this vulnerable patient group, while hospitalized for treatment in surgery clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to explore experiences of awaiting a test result for COVID-19 among individuals from the general population. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from COVID-19 testing tents in the Capital Region of Denmark in March and April 2020. A phenomenological–hermeneutic approach inspired by Ricoeur's theory of interpretation was used. Results: The analysis revealed five themes. (1) The participants' experiences of awaiting a COVID-19 test result illuminated concerns related to infecting others rather than their own health. Experiences of guilt for not taking all possible precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19 were described and thoughts of potentially having exposed others bothered the participants. (2) The test result would guide their precautions and therefore regulate behaviour at home and in society. (3) Even though the participants did not take all possible precautions they made some changes in their everyday lives. (4) Leaving the individual with the responsibility for taking precautions based on their subjective experiences created feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. (5) Being met by health professionals was an experience that meant for the particpants that behaviour towards limiting the infection became very clear. The seriousness experienced around the test situation facilitated this attitude and behaviour in the participants. Conclusion: This study illuminated how testing for COVID-19 regulates behavior in the general population. The testing was both important for the individual's cautious behavior towards other people, work and in getting around in society but also a way to regulate behavior from a societal perspective to quicken suppression and avoid transmission of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aortic dissection is a life‐threatening condition with mortality up to 75%. In the acute phase, patients are constrained with total bed rest until pain relief and blood pressure has been stabilised. Some need surgery. Aortic dissection is associated with anxiety and poor health‐related quality of life. However, no study has explored the experience of living through aortic dissection. The aim of this study was to explore the patient experience of living through aortic dissection. Data were collected in interviews with 10 patients who lived through aortic dissection. Data were gathered and analysed using a phenomenological approach. The qualitative analysis revealed four themes; 'Am I going to die now? – the existential turning point when diagnosed with life‐threatening aortic dissection', 'compromised integrity during admission – experiences of hospitalisation', 'Signals from my body – a new awareness of the body after discharge', 'What can I do? – uncertainties about physical activity in daily life posthospitalisation'. Experiences of aortic dissection are a life‐threatening and overwhelming existential life situation which includes a period of constraining hospitalisation and experiences a compromised integrity. Patients have substantial concerns regarding body signals and a constantly uncertainty about what kind of activity level they can sustain which affect their mental well‐being and their daily life. These findings contribute to understanding and elaborating a more nuanced description of being diagnosed with aortic dissection, which is essential when planning high‐quality treatment and care, developing sufficient follow‐up and preventing adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To explore the transition from hospital to home and patient experiences of nurse‐led post‐operative follow‐up phone calls after thoracic surgery. Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol places new demands on patients after hospital. Need for a proactive approach to improve the post‐operative follow‐up process in the home is required. Design: Qualitative intervention study. Methods: Interviews were conducted with patients who had received a post‐operative phone call after hospital discharge (n = 15). The analysis was inspired by Gadamer and Meleis. COREQ guidelines were followed. Results: Two overall themes emerged: (1) The follow‐up phone call, which concerns experiences involving the actual call and (2) Transitioning from hospital to home, which through four subthemes illuminates; how patients describe their initial time at home, that patients experience a changed body after surgery, that patients feel alone after returning home and that a call from a nurse can help patients not to feel left out and finally why it is absolutely essential that nurses initiate the phone call. Conclusion: Patients are at different stages in their transition process after hospital, making timing of follow‐up tricky. Being part of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programme has implications for the initial period after discharge; dominated by fatigue, pain and experiences of a changed body. Patients experience being left alone with their illness, and the phone call helps to relieve this isolation. It is essential that the nurse call the patient since the patients want to avoid disturbing the staff. Relevance to clinical practice: Healthcare workers can use the findings to understand how patients experience the transition from hospital to home when enrolled in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programme. Need for support from a nurse following discharge is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: People living with life-threatening illness experience unmet existential needs despite the growing research and clinical field of palliative care. Narrative interventions show promise in managing these problems, but more knowledge is needed on the characteristics of narrative interventions and the feasibility of using personal narratives in a hospital. Aim: To review the literature on personal narratives in hospital-based palliative care interventions and to strengthen palliative care practices. Design: We conducted a systematic integrative review with qualitative analysis and narrative synthesis in accordance with PRISMA where applicable (PROSPERO#:CRD42018089202). Data sources: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cinahl, SocINDEX and PsychInfo for primary research articles published until June 2018. We assessed full-text articles against the eligibility criteria followed by a discussion of quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Results: Of 480 articles, we found 24 eligible for this review: 8 qualitative, 14 quantitative and 2 mixed methods. The articles reported on dignity therapy, legacy building, outlook, short-term life review and life review. Data analysis resulted in five themes: core principles, theoretical framework, content of narrative, outcome and, finally, acceptability and feasibility. Conclusion: Various types of systematic palliative care interventions use personal narratives. Common to these is a shared psychotherapeutic theoretical understanding and aim. Clinical application in a hospital setting is both feasible and acceptable but requires flexibility regarding the practices of the setting and the needs of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and objective To describe patients' experiences throughout the first four months post-lung transplant. Background Health professionals are familiar with the fact that patients' average survival after a lung transplant is about seven years and that 74% of these patients reject new organs within the first two years. By contrast, knowledge of these patients' perspectives after lung transplantation is scant. Design/Method A qualitative study was conducted between May 2013-May 2014 in which 26 interviewees participated - four months post-transplant - based on a semistructured interview guide. The data were inductively analysed using a content thematic approach within a phenomenological and hermeneutic frame. Results The main findings in the study reveal that (1) having a lung transplant is an overwhelming experience, which for some patients includes (2) troubling physical and psychological challenges. The interviewees were happy to get another chance to live, although some of them suffered from medical side effects, postoperative complications and psychological problems. When asked about the future, interviewees stated that life could be described as (3) a balance of joy and challenges. They had received a new chance in life and were eager to fulfil their life hopes and dreams. At the same time, they were worried about the future. Having a lung transplant implies rules that have to be followed. What are the healthy choices they are supposed to make? And will there be a tomorrow? Conclusions Having a lung transplant is described as an overwhelming experience because of the improvement in the physical function of the body. Patients were grateful to family, friends and healthcare professionals for supporting them. The first four months post-transplantation were described as both physically and psychologically challenging. Interviewees were aware of the prognosis for patients following lung transplantation. They expressed feelings of worry and insecurity but still had hopes and dreams. Relevance to clinical practice The patients are troubled by both physical and psychological challenges after lung transplantation. Several areas call for interventions from healthcare professionals during the early post-transplant period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]