Narrative recognition and identification: a qualitative pilot study into reading literary texts with advanced cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose Patients with advanced cancer can experience their disease as a contingent life event. The sudden interruption of their life stories can obscure life goals and disrupt meaning making. In the context of the research project “In search of stories,” we aim to investigate the reading and discussion of selected stories which present ways of dealing with a contingent life event. In addition, we examine the use of a newly developed guide for reading these exemplary texts together with advanced cancer patients. Methods This qualitative study describes the experiences of five patients with advanced cancer who participated in a guided reading and discussion about selected literary texts. The intervention consisted of reading a selected story, after which each patient was interviewed, using the reading guide as a conversation template. The interviews were then thematically analyzed for their conceptual content using a template analysis. Results All five conversations showed some form of recognition in reaction to the chosen text, which led to personal identification of experiences of contingency, such as loss of life goals, impending death, or feelings of uncertainty. Besides the important role of identification, revealed by the responses to the questions in the reading guide, the discussion of the text helped them articulate their own experience and sources of meaning. Diverse worldviews came to the fore and concepts of meaning such as fate, life goals, quality of life, and death. Conclusions First experiences with our newly developed reading guide designed to support a structured reading of stories containing experiences of contingency suggest that it may help patients to express their own experiences of contingency and to reflect on these experiences. Implications for Cancer Survivors The intervention tested in this study may contribute to supportive care for survivors with advanced cancer, but further research is needed to evaluate its effect on quality of life.

Co-creative art processes with patients: A theoretical framework and qualitative study among artists

“…It may be hypothesized that experiences through the senses—emotions and bodily sensations—in fact constitute the main components of one’s life narrative, while words are merely used to communicate this internally and externally. The search for interventions facilitating integration of experiences of contingency may therefore be broadened from linguistic based interventions to a wider field including interventions which exploit (combinations of all) the senses, which is currently investigated in the In Search Of Stories project [ 28 ].…”

“…Professional artists participating in the In Search Of Stories project (ISOS) were interviewed [ 28 ]. ISOS evaluates a narrative multimodal intervention by professional artists and spiritual counsellors working with cancer patients aimed at enhancing quality of life [ 28 ].…”

“…Professional artists participating in the In Search Of Stories project (ISOS) were interviewed [ 28 ]. ISOS evaluates a narrative multimodal intervention by professional artists and spiritual counsellors working with cancer patients aimed at enhancing quality of life [ 28 ]. The multi modal intervention included a life review interview, drawing of a Rich Picture [ 29 ], reading selected literature [ 28 ], and participating in a co-creation process.…”

“…ISOS evaluates a narrative multimodal intervention by professional artists and spiritual counsellors working with cancer patients aimed at enhancing quality of life [ 28 ]. The multi modal intervention included a life review interview, drawing of a Rich Picture [ 29 ], reading selected literature [ 28 ], and participating in a co-creation process. In total 11 artists were involved in ISOS, of which 10 were available for the interviews of the current study.…”

Exploring resonance theory and uncontrollability during co‐creative art making: A qualitative study among cancer patients

“…Palliative cancer patients participated in the ISOS project, which is a narrative multimodal intervention aimed at enhancing quality of life 11,13,14 . ISOS is a joint project of the Department of Medical Oncology of Amsterdam University Medical Centres in collaboration with the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies of the Radboud University, Nijmegen, the University of the Arts Utrecht and Amsta Healthcare Organisation Amsterdam.…”