The lived experience of patients with pleural mesothelioma

Int J Palliat Nurs. 2008 Feb;14(2):66-71. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2008.14.2.28597.

Abstract

This paper reports on a research study of five patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. The study used a phenomenological approach to explore patients' lived experience using in-depth interviews. The findings identify that patients have many unmet psychosocial and emotional needs and that there was a lack of information provided to patients about specialist supportive and palliative care services. A number of the patients found specialist supportive care by chance rather than by referral. In addition, patients were involved in complex medico-legal matters in relation to asbestos exposure, and this was an additional burden for them and their spouse or carer. A feeling of social isolation was also reported and a number of patients would welcome the opportunity to meet with other people in the same situation as themselves. In conclusion, there is a lack of attention to the emotional needs of this group of patients, which means that supportive care resources are not being accessed in a timely and flexible manner.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Mesothelioma / psychology*
  • Mesothelioma / therapy
  • Palliative Care
  • Pleural Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Pleural Neoplasms / therapy