Exploring Meaning of Life in Women With Breast Cancer in Taiwan: A Phenomenological Study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer type in terms of incidence for women. Women with breast cancer endure higher levels of psychological distress than other types of cancer because many lose their identity as a woman, which is an additional characteristic of their psychological distress. Research using phenomenology to explore "the meaning of life" is rare among women with breast cancer. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of women with breast cancer on "the meaning of life." METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used. Twenty-six women living with breast cancer drawn from a cancer treatment hospital in Taiwan participated in this study. A semistructured interview was utilized to collect the data, and Colaizzi's seven steps were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: (a) value of overcoming suffering, (b) value of reciprocal love, (c) value of self-transcendence, and (d) value of spiritual comfort. This means that the participants defined "the meaning of life" through the lens of suffering from cancer, reciprocal love from their families and friends, uncovering and discovering creative pathways that transformed their pain while searching for the value of their existence, and seeking spiritual guidance from religion. CONCLUSIONS: The participants identified the most pivotal aspect of healing as transforming their pain and accepting value for their suffering. They acknowledged they could not change the fact that they had cancer, but they could learn to accept it as part of their lived experience. Healthcare professionals may use these four themes at a clinically appropriate time on women's journeys toward healing to inspire women with breast cancer to process their own unique "meaning of life."

Exploring the meaning of life from the perspective of patients with depression: A phenomenological study.

This study explored the perceptions of meaning of life for patients with depression. A qualitative phenomenology approach was used. Patients with depression (n = 20) were recruited until data saturation occurred. Findings revealed four themes all related to their value of: (1) accepting depression; (2) appreciating work (paid and non-paid); (3) embodying love and taking on responsibilities; (4) receiving spiritual comfort. Healthcare professionals could facilitate patients with depression to explore their meaning of life while enduring and transforming the emotional pain that accompanies depression, hence, perhaps, decreasing their suicidal ideations.

Rationale underpinning postgraduate student nurses' choice of research methods used for their masters' theses.

Many nurses in Taiwan use quantitative research for their master's thesis. However, qualitative research explores humankind in depth providing a more holistic approach relating to nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore the rationale postgraduate students used to choose the research methods for their masters' theses in Taiwan. A descriptive qualitative research design was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of sixteen nursing students studying a master's from seven different Universities in Taiwan in 2016. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Finding revealed three themes (1) Students' personal and professional backgrounds; (2) Myths about quantitative research; (3) Misperceptions about qualitative research. Nurse educators could use these findings as a reference to design post-graduate nursing courses. It is essential to provide a balanced educative experience between delivering qualitative and quantitative modules to enhance respect of research method, knowledge and skills. Further, this could facilitate students' choice in research methods when designing their master's theses.

The healing process following a suicide attempt: context and intervening conditions.

The purpose of this study was to explore the context and the intervening conditions that impacted on individuals' healing from a suicide attempt. Patients who had survived a suicide attempt (n=14) and their caregivers (n=6) were interviewed in this study. Findings revealed that the suicidal individuals who lived in a sheltered, friendly environment, and had support systems helped their suicidal healing process. Conversely, suicidal individuals who experienced negative aspects of self, family predicaments, environmental difficulties, and the re-emergence of stressors impeded their suicidal healing process. Consequently, health professionals need to promote healthy internal and external environments for suicidal individuals.

A theory for the nursing care of patients at risk of suicide.

AIM: This paper presents a nursing care theory developed to guide the care given to people with suicidal ideas and those with a previous suicide attempt. BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health problem. According to the World Health Organization, international suicide rates range from highs of more than 20 per 100,000 people in Hungary (1997 figures), to fewer than 10 per 100,000 in the United Kingdom (2002 figures). In 2002, the number of completed suicides in Taiwan increased by nearly 10% over the previous year, and the Taiwanese Government has set targets to reduce this rate. Psychiatric nurses play a vital role in helping reduce the suicide rate through prevention, education and by providing care that promotes the healing of patients who attempt suicide. METHODS: A grounded theory approach was used. Fifteen patients who had either suicidal ideas or had attempted suicide and 15 psychiatric nurses working on acute wards were interviewed and observed using an observer-as-participant strategy. Data were collected through field notes and by tape-recorded interviews during 2003, and analysed using open, axial and selective coding and the qualitative software program QRS NUD*IST. FINDINGS: The core category that emerged from the data collected was the provision of 'safe and compassionate care via the channel of the therapeutic relationship'. Other key categories linked to and embraced within this core category were: providing holistic assessments; providing protection; providing basic care; and promoting healing through advanced care. CONCLUSION: The theory generated from the findings could be used by nurses as a guide as they initiate and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients who are at risk of suicide. The theory could advance the quality of care provided by nurses. In addition, it holds potential for instilling hope in patients who have lost their ability to cope with life events and perhaps life itself.

A survey of obstetricians willingness to practice collaboratively with midwives in Taiwan.

This study was designed to investigate obstetricians willingness to practice collaboratively with midwives in Taiwan. Systematic random sampling was used to access the 500 participants from the 2,256 registered members of the Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Republic of China. A questionnaire and four open-ended questions were designed to examine obstetricians willingness to work collaboratively with midwives and other related factors. A total of 78 physicians returned the questionnaires, providing a response rate of 15.6%. Thirty-six (46.2%) of subjects worked as private obstetricians, with a mean age of 47.1 years. About 79.5% (n = 62) had over 10 years of experiences in their role. Fifty percent (n = 39) worked in areas with birth rats less than 50 infants per month. The findings of the current study demonstrate, regarding the seven midwifery practice items on the questionnaire, that all 78 obstetricians were unwilling to work collaboratively with midwives. However, results showed that if midwifery education were to be advanced to college level, the degree of willingness to work collaboratively with midwives improved significantly (t > 1.96, p <.05). Furthermore, 56.4% (n = 44) obstetricians would then agree to work collaboratively with midwives. However, 43.6% (n = 34) were unwilling to accept midwives as independent practitioners. Reasons included: unwillingness to share risks, worry about the incapability of midwives, worry that it would impair the professional image of physicians, and unwillingness to share interests. The authors conclude that advancing and enhancing midwifery education in Taiwan should be the first step to negotiate in order to raise the profile of midwives specifically and the midwifery profession generally. Ultimately, such a strategy would improve the quality of care provided to women and their infants and consequently improve the health and social well-being of present and future generations.