19. Managing uncertainty in clinical encounters

Dean, Marleah; Street, Richard L.

doi:10.1515/9783110317459-020

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 71 publications

(160 reference statements)

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“…The uncertainty management strategies category was developed using typologies from previous work [18, 26], including both information-seeking and avoidance strategies. Sources of medical uncertainty were drawn from UMT-related work by Dean and Street [ 35 ] that examined uncertainty in clinical encounters. Finally, the authors developed an “other sources of uncertainty related to COVID-19” category to code comments regarding uncertainty about the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and caregiver/parent susceptibility to COVID-19.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood cancer caregiving during COVID-19: understanding caregivers’ needs

Fisher

Wright

Hampton

et al. 2021

Translational Behavioral Medicine

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The COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated caregiving challenges for caregivers of parents diagnosed with a blood cancer. Providing care during a public health crisis presents a complex web of uncertainties regarding cancer care, personal health, and COVID-19 risk. Identifying caregivers’ uncertainty experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a first step in learning where to direct resources or alter policies to ensure that they can not only perform their caregiver role but also cope in health-promoting ways. Using uncertainty management theory, this study explored how the pandemic has impacted adult child caregivers’ experiences caring for a parent diagnosed with a blood cancer, as well as their experiences of uncertainty and uncertainty management. As part of a larger study on blood cancer caregivers’ needs, a survey was administered from March 30 to June 1, 2020, to recruit caregivers through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A qualitative and quantitative content analysis was conducted on open-ended responses from 84 caregivers. Caregivers described changes illustrating the complexity of providing care during a pandemic: (a) increased fears and uncertainty-related distress, b) reduced in-person care opportunities, (c) increased isolation, and (d) enhanced family communication. Caregivers with parents diagnosed with acute blood cancers used significantly more uncertainty management strategies and had more sources of uncertainty than caregivers with parents living with chronic blood cancer types. Findings highlight the need for supportive services to help caregivers manage uncertainty and improve their capacity to provide care in an unpredictable global health crisis. Such support may reduce poor psychosocial outcomes.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood cancer caregiving during COVID-19: understanding caregivers’ needs

Fisher

Wright

Hampton

et al. 2021

Translational Behavioral Medicine

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“…BRCA-Positive PATIENTS' SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY 5 psychosocial effects (Dean & Street, 2015;Neville, 1998) including emotional distress (Christman et al 1988;Lien, Gau, Hsu, and Chang 2009;Neville 1998;Shaha, Cox, Talman, & Kelly, 2008;Stewart, Lynn, and Mishel 2010), complications in relationships (Ford, Babrow, & Stohl, 1996), poor decision-making (Mishel 1999;Politi & Street, 2011;Wong & Bramwell 1992), loss of control, low resourcefulness, and lower quality of life (Andreassen et al, 2005;Dirkson, 2000;Dunn et al, 1993;McWilliam, Brown, & Stewart, 2000). Given these potential negative effects, it is important to understand uncertainty experienced by those with BRCA genetic mutations.…”

Section: A C C E P T E D Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, healthcare providers must help patients manage their long-term uncertainty throughout their healthcare journeys. Research on uncertainty in health and illness reveals several strategies that may assist in managing uncertainty (Brashers et al, 2000;Dean & Street, 2015;McCormack et al, 2011). For example, in healthcare interactions, providers could create action plans and lay out contingencies if cancer is discovered, provide informational and social support resources, (Brashers et al, 2000;Epstein & Street, 2007) as well as teach patients behavioral, self-M A N U S C R I P T…”

Section: Brca-positive Patients' Sources Of Uncertainty 21mentioning

confidence: 99%

“It’s not if I get cancer, it’s when I get cancer”: BRCA-positive patients’ (un)certain health experiences regarding hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk

Dean

2016

Social Science & Medicine

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Internet Patient vs. Internet‐Informed Patient

Jäger

Linn

Brew‐Sam

et al. 2022

The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication

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In the ongoing Internet Age, the theory and practice of health communication experience noticeable changes due to advancing technologies. As part of a patient empowerment process in this eHealth era, patients have more options to access relevant health information, share this information with peers or clinicians in patient‐centered communication, and actively participate in shared health decision making. Theories about motivations and drivers to use the Internet, such as the Goals–Plans–Action Model (GPA) or the Optimal Matching Theory (OMT), help grasp two trends in patients' health information behaviors which relate to the Internet as a source of health information on the one hand and as an interaction and communication channel on the other. These are either reflected in the Internet‐informed patient increasingly seeking health information on the web or the Internet patient using various online channels to communicate with clinicians and/or other patients. While the two terms sound similar, they actually differ considerably and thus should not be used interchangeably. In this entry, explanations of the two distinct concepts are provided, considering elements of both and their context of use. Light is shed on resulting effects for patients, clinicians, their encounter, and relationship. Using the Internet for health information purposes may either trigger unreasonable fears (cyberchondria) or better equip patients for coping with their health issues (uncertainty management). Moreover, Internet technology enables different formats for the clinician–patient interaction such as telemedicine consultations, or for patients' self‐management behaviors (e.g., health apps).

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19. Managing uncertainty in clinical encounters

Cited by 6 publications

References 71 publications

Blood cancer caregiving during COVID-19: understanding caregivers’ needs

Blood cancer caregiving during COVID-19: understanding caregivers’ needs

“It’s not if I get cancer, it’s when I get cancer”: BRCA-positive patients’ (un)certain health experiences regarding hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk

Internet Patient vs. Internet‐Informed Patient

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