Improving communication after ended adjuvant treatment - experiences of a coaching intervention

Background: Cancer is a potential life-threatening illness likely to trigger existential concerns related to the meaning of life, hope or faith. Such concerns have shown to influence patients’ perception of their identity and have also proven to worsen physical symptoms related to their cancer illness. To improve the conditions for cancer survivors the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a coaching intervention aimed to improve the communication with the patients. Methods & Materials: Three nurses participated in a two-day training program focusing on coaching methods. A total of 10 patients were included in the study after completion of their adjuvant treatment and approximately three month ahead. The intervention consisted of two personal conversations succeeded by two follow-up phone calls carried out by the specially trained nurses. The patients´ experiences of participating in the intervention were collected through qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed in accordance with the phenomenological-hermeneutic tradition. Results: The patients described a comprehensive process of regaining mental as well as physical strength and well-being after ended treatment. They put words to a feeling of emptiness in the sense that they were now on their own in contrast to the period of treatment, during which they had felt an experience of security in the continuous contact with the health professionals. Several of the patients expressed that during their treatment focus in the conversations had mostly been on their specific treatment. Consequently, the extended communication intervention based on a more coaching approach gave them the opportunity of setting their own agenda and to talk about their concerns. Conclusion: A possible implication of the results may be an increased attention towards the fact that some cancer survivors are in need of more psychosocial- and existential support. Further, coaching methods may underscore the growing development of more patient-centered communication initiatives.