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The Meaning of Healing to Adult Patients with Advanced Cancer

Author

Listed:
  • Eve Namisango

    (African Palliative Care Association, Kampala P.O. Box 72518, Uganda
    Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation, Cicely Saunders Institute King’s College London, London SE5 9RS, UK)

  • Emmanuel B. K. Luyirika

    (African Palliative Care Association, Kampala P.O. Box 72518, Uganda)

  • Lawrence Matovu

    (Formerly-Department of Clinical Services, Hospice Africa Uganda, Kampala P.O. Box 7757, Uganda)

  • Ann Berger

    (National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA)

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to explore the meaning of healing from the perspective of adult patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a primary study which used a cognitive interview approach to assess the face and content validity of a spiritual and psychological healing measure (NIH-HEALS). This analysis focused on responses to the question, “What does the term ‘healing’ mean to you?” Data were de-identified, transcribed verbatim, and imported in NVivo for thematic analysis in line with interpretive phenomenological methods. Results: Thirty-five adults with advanced cancer participated in the study. We identified nine major themes: acceptance, surrender, faith, hope, peace, freedom from suffering (e.g., pain, problems, or other bothersome factors), overcoming/transcending disease, positive emotions (e.g., happiness), recovery from illness or disease. One participant discussed healing as synonymous with death, and two associated it with social relations and social support. Conclusion: Themes from patients’ responses suggest subjective and varied definitions of healing which encompass physical, social, spiritual, and psychological domains of well-being, distinct from the physical cure of disease. Clinicians should adopt a holistic, person-centered approach to care, attending to bodily, psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional needs to help patients find meaning in their experiences, nourish resilience, and experience a sense of healing—as they define it.

Suggested Citation

  • Eve Namisango & Emmanuel B. K. Luyirika & Lawrence Matovu & Ann Berger, 2023. "The Meaning of Healing to Adult Patients with Advanced Cancer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1474-:d:1034762
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rezvan Ameli & Ninet Sinaii & María José Luna & Julia Cheringal & Brunilde Gril & Ann Berger, 2018. "The National Institutes of Health measure of Healing Experience of All Life Stressors (NIH-HEALS): Factor analysis and validation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, December.
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