Exploring health navigating design: momentary contentment in a cancer context

Ulrika Sandén,Lars Harrysson,Hans Thulesius,Fredrik Nilsson

doi:10.1080/17482631.2017.1374809

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: The technocratic and medicalized model of healthcare is rarely optimal for patients. By connecting two different studies we explore the possibilities of increasing quality of life in cancer care.Methods: The first study captures survival strategies in a historically isolated Arctic village in Norway resulting in Momentary contentment theory, which emerged from analysing four years of participant observation and interview data. The second study conceptualizes everyday life of cancer patients based on in-depth interviews with 19 cancer patients; this was conceptualized as Navigating a new life situation. Both studies used classic grounded theory methodology. The connection between the studies is based on a health design approach.Results: We found a fit between cancer patients challenging life conditions and harsh everyday life in an Arctic village. Death, treatments and dependence have become natural parts of life where the importance of creating spaces-of-moments and a Sense of Safety is imminent to well-being. While the cancer patients are in a new life situation, the Arctic people show a natural ability to handle uncertainties.Conclusion: By innovation theories connected to design thinking, Momentary contentment theory modified to fit cancer care would eventually be a way to improve cancer patients’ quality of life.

Highlights

Innovation is defined as the creation of something new that provides value to a specific customer, patient or user (Christensen, Grossman, & Hwang, 2009; Nilsson & Lindström, 2010; West, 1990)
Cancer patients expressed that healthcare staff continuity and knowing where to call to get help was very important to their psychosocial health
By combining Momentary contentment theory (Sandén, Harrysson et al, 2015) and Patient Process Orientation (Nilsson, 2014) with Normalization Process Theory (NPT) (May, 2013) and a health navigation design perspective we suggest that contentment enhancing innovation practices such as virtual communities of practice (Wenger, 2000) or fluctuating support networks (Holton, 2007) is an approach well worth trying

Summary

Introduction

Innovation is defined as the creation of something new that provides value to a specific customer, patient or user (Christensen, Grossman, & Hwang, 2009; Nilsson & Lindström, 2010; West, 1990). Momentary contentment theory emerges from a context where accidents and deaths are part of life and where helping each other is a necessity (Sandén, Harrysson, & Thulesius, 2015; Sandén, Thulesius, & Harrysson, 2015). In theory it has a potential fit with cancer patients where death is often a possible outcome. It shows mechanisms that have emerged from the historically rough living conditions dealing with the present moment, taking one incident at a time. In a comparative study between the various regions in Norway, Vea (2009) discusses how the prioritizing of the moment in Northern villages creates a lack of macro innovative economic thinking

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