Problem definition and formulation.

Abstract

Presen ting the Ration aleWe have found the following examples, analogies, and slogans to be helpful in emphasizing the importance underlying this process and the Copyright American Psychological Association. Not for further distribution.Problem Definition and Formulation 1 159 exercises associated with PDF training. Optimally, examples that directly relate to the patient's cancer experience, professional or personal experiences, and hobbies or recreational activities should be chosen to facilitate identification with the concepts. Depending on the patient's cognitive abilities, interests, or cultural background, different examples can be more appropriate and, thus, more effective. Once a patient accepts the rationale for this problem-solving component, he or she will be more likely to understand its applicability to stressful areas in his or her life. These following scripts are presented as possible alternative examples of how to convey the rationale of problem definition and formulation. Again, the PST counselor should use one that is particularly relevant to a given cancer patient. PROBLEM SOLVING AS TRAVELINGProblems that remain vague and unclear become more frustrating or troublesome than may be necessary. For example, if you try to visit a friend in New York without further instructions, you may wind up in Buffalo, Rochester, or Queens. Simply looking at a map without any specific destination or guidelines would be overwhelming because there are many highways, roads, bridges, and tunnels that could lead you in an infinite number of directions. Taking many of these paths may lead you in the wrong direction, place you in dangerous territory, or cause you unnecessary time and expense. However, if you clearly define your intended destination by identifying a city, a town, and a specific address, you will be able to locate the best course of travel for your journey. You can even make your own map. Furthermore, additional details, such as landmarks, construction sites to avoid, or cross streets, will further clarify your route. Solving a problem can be thought of as successfully reaching the end of the trip. How comfortable, exciting, and educational the traveling will be depends initially on knowing where and how to reach the destination. THE HEALTH-CARE TEAM AS PROBLEM SOLVERSWhen individuals do not feel well physically, physicians, nurses, and other health-care professionals will use similar problem-solving techniques to clarify and understand the problem and to establish realistic goals for treatment. Without clearly defining the health problem, a physician may not know whether to examine the person's eye, arm, or gastrointestinal system. Does the patient need an aspirin or a tonsillectomy? Similarly, persons who are experiencing emotional distress The first task in defining and formulating a problem is to gather important information about its specific nature. Cancer and its treatment present numerous novel situations for which most people do not have previous experience to draw on. Many people, however, ha...