Abstract
BackgroundIt is generally recognized that existential concerns must be addressed to promote the dignity of patients with advanced cancer. A number of interventions have been developed in this regard, such as dignity therapy and other life review interventions (LRI). However, so far, none have focused on a positive approach or evaluated its effects on dignity and personal growth. This study aims to explore the feasibility of Revie ⊕, a life review intervention comprising a positive, patient-centered approach, and to determine potential changes of patients’ sense of dignity, posttraumatic growth, and satisfaction with life.MethodsA mixed method study will be performed, which includes specialized nurses and 40 patients with advanced cancer in an ambulatory and in-patient setting of a Swiss university hospital. Quantitative methods involve a single group, pre- and post-intervention, and outcome measurements include the Patient Dignity Inventory, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Feasibility data relating to process, resource, and scientific elements of the trial will also be collected. A semi-directed interview will be used to collect qualitative data about the process and the participants’ experiences of the intervention. In this way, enhanced quantitative-qualitative evidence can be drawn from outcome measures as well as individual, contextualized personal views, to help inform researchers about the plausibility of this complex intervention before testing its effectiveness in a subsequent full trial.DiscussionPatient dignity is a goal of quality end-of-life care. To our knowledge, this is the first trial to evaluate the role of a life review intervention that is focused on personal growth and on changes relating to the experience of having cancer.This study will evaluate the feasibility of a novel intervention, Revie ⊕, which we hope will contribute to promote the dignity, personal growth, and overall life satisfaction of patients with advanced cancer.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN12497093 Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40814-016-0101-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
It is generally recognized that existential concerns must be addressed to promote the dignity of patients with advanced cancer
The purpose of the present study is to assess the feasibility of the Revie ⊕ intervention and to evaluate potential changes in dignity, posttraumatic growth, and satisfaction of life for patients with advanced cancer in order to obtain data for a future effectiveness trial
Aim/objectives The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of Revie ⊕, a new life review interventions (LRI) intervention aimed at patients with advanced cancer within the ambulatory and inpatient setting of a university hospital in the Frenchspeaking part of Switzerland, and to evaluate potential changes in dignity, posttraumatic growth, and satisfaction with life
Summary
It is generally recognized that existential concerns must be addressed to promote the dignity of patients with advanced cancer. This study aims to explore the feasibility of Revie ⊕, a life review intervention comprising a positive, patient-centered approach, and to determine potential changes of patients’ sense of dignity, posttraumatic growth, and satisfaction with life. Despite advancements in medical technology, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality (about 16,000 individuals per year) in Switzerland [1]. Patients with advanced cancer often experience significant levels of existential distress [2, 3]. There is a paucity of interventions focusing on relieving spiritual or existential concerns [2]. Interventions that relieve existential distress support patients’ dying with dignity [8, 9]. According to Guo and Jacelon [10], dying with dignity includes a dying process with minimal symptom distress, being human and being self, achieving existential and spiritual goals, and maintaining meaningful relationships with significant relatives
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