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Research group The complex interaction when the patient has contact with the cancer care – can we support the patient better and thereby achieve better health?
Our group studies how patients experience contact with health care professionals when they seek care for symptoms that may indicate cancer. Furthermore, we also study how patients experience that health care offers support in connection with the diagnosis and treatment and how it affects their health and quality of life. Furthermore, how access to cancer care is created from the patient's appointment at the primary health care center to diagnosis and start of treatment, and how fast tracks such as CPP affect patient's visits and the primary care organization, is another track that we work with.
The proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer and survivors is increasing due to today's better treatment options. However, there are still challenges in detecting cancer timely, but also in and optimally supporting the patient throughout the process, both before and after the diagnosis as such a diagnosis can turn a person's entire life upside down. In addition, the patient's experience of the interaction with the health care professionals and the health care system can be of great importance for the patient's future health, as it can affect their expectations, satisfaction, and actions.
Standardization of the care process can have some positive effects although patients' individual needs are difficult to standardize. Many patients with cancer are also elderly with several other health problems and diseases. Rehabilitation is a salutogenic process that must run parallel with diagnosis and treatment based on the patient's needs.
In today's efficiency-oriented healthcare organization, it seems difficult for patients to have their support needs met except for medical treatments. In addition, it seems challenging for the health care staff to optimize the information and support for the patient. This may mean that the patient's essential needs, such as existential thoughts and concerns, during and after treatment are de-prioritized and overlooked, which can negatively impact their health.
The national intention is that the patient journey through cancer care should be about cohesive person-centered care processes. From different perspectives, our research group wants to shed light on and develop knowledge about standardization of the care process and the patient's need for contact and support from healthcare, and the importance of support for patients in different situations in life with a cancer diagnosis.
The research group is based on the Department of Nursing, in close collaboration with several faculties at Umeå University.
