Exploring health navigating design: momentary contentment in a cancer context

Abstract

Purpose: The technocratic and medicalized model of healthcare is rarely optimal for patients. By connecting two different studies we explore the possibilities of increasing quality of life in cancer care. Methods: The first study captures survival strategies in a historically isolated Arctic village in Norway resulting in Momentary contentment theory, which emerged from analysing four years of participant observation and interview data. The second study conceptualizes everyday life of cancer patients based on in-depth interviews with 19 cancer patients; this was conceptualized as Navigating a new life situation. Both studies used classic grounded theory methodology. The connection between the studies is based on a health design approach. Results: We found a fit between cancer patients challenging life conditions and harsh everyday life in an Arctic village. Death, treatments and dependence have become natural parts of life where the importance of creating spaces-of-moments and a Sense of Safety is imminent to well-being. While the cancer patients are in a new life situation, the Arctic people show a natural ability to handle uncertainties. Conclusion: By innovation theories connected to design thinking, Momentary contentment theory modified to fit cancer care would eventually be a way to improve cancer patients’ quality of life.

Cancer, a relational disease

“…What has emergedfromthe writeupofthe sorted memossofar isnot a saturated grounded theory but a conceptual description called "Navigating cancer as a loved one". We have previously described a theoretical fit between the patient study "Navigating a new life situation" and Momentary contentment theory (Sandén et al, 2017). In this article we do the same with relatives to cancer patients.…”

“…When no new information was reached through data collection all memos were compared and sorted to find relationships between categories and concepts. Data from family members was further compared to data from a previous study (Sandén, Harrysson, Thulesius, & Nilsson, 2017) where 19 cancer patients were interviewed. What has emergedfromthe writeupofthe sorted memossofar isnot a saturated grounded theory but a conceptual description called "Navigating cancer as a loved one".…”

A Virtual Smash Room for Venting Frustration or Just Having Fun: Participatory Design of Virtual Environments in Digitally Reinforced Cancer Rehabilitation

“…The global cancer burden is continuously rising, with more people living with the effects of cancer illness and treatments [1][2][3]. Both patients and their relatives find it difficult to find a satisfactory and productive life after cancer treatment [4][5][6]. This is where cancer rehabilitation plays an important role, as patients are helped to return to activities of daily living by overcoming physical, emotional, or social issues affecting their quality of life [7].…”

“…They may include physical aspects, such as pain, physical fatigue, and balance issues; mental aspects, such as mental fatigue, distress, and anxiety; social aspects, such as managing relations and adjusting the work situation; and economical aspects owing to a low working capacity. Alternative ways of organizing cancer rehabilitation that take into account this complexity along with the individual needs of each patient need to be addressed [4][5][6]8]. Digital solutions, including websites, mobile technology, wearables, and virtual reality (VR), are being explored in cancer rehabilitation as a way to empower patients and ease the burden on the health care system [9][10][11].…”

“…There are also indications that virtual nature experiences can promote recovery from stress [16], and that interacting with virtual scenarios can elicit or strengthen different emotions in a user [17]. A cancer diagnosis inevitably evokes a lot of emotions [4,[18][19][20], including fear, anxiety, frustration, hope, and guilt. Many patients also struggle with existential issues [21].…”