Person-centred communication with cancer survivors: Exploring the meaning of follow-up coaching conversations

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of a coaching intervention for cancer survivors. Background: Cancer survivors often experience existential concerns and worries after adjuvant treatment. A number of “care transition interventions” have been developed to improve person-centred care by empowering patients. Several of these interventions include a “care transition coach”. A coaching approach to communication used in health care communication have among others shown to assists in establishing confidential relationships between health professionals, increase the patient's well-being and support the patient's experience of being met and viewed as a whole person. Design: This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore the meaning of a coaching intervention. In analyzing and interpreting the qualitative interviews Ricoeur's theory of interpretation was applied. Method: The intervention consisted of two parts: (1) a two-day training program in coaching for nurses and (2) a specially developed communication intervention for cancer survivors. Results and discussion: The analysis of the transcribed interview material led to the development of two themes: (1) Support in moving forward in life, and (2) An opportunity to talk about existential thoughts and worries. Our results show how the experience of cancer, even when cured, leaves the survivors with profound existential worries. The cancer survivors described how coaching conversations allowed them to express their current concerns and provided them with an opportunity to discuss wider issues than treatment, symptoms, and after-effects, which had been the main focus during treatment. Conclusion: The time immediately after the end of adjuvant treatment can be challenging, with many existential concerns and opposing emotions. We found that the follow-up coaching conversations performed helped the cancer survivors to process many of these difficult thoughts and feelings.