TY  - JOUR
A1  - Dauphin, Stephanie
A1  - Wolputte, Steven van
A1  - Jansen, Leontien
A1  - Burghgraeve, Tine de
A1  - Akker, Marjan van den
A1  - Buntinx, Frank
T1  - Using liminality and subjunctivity to better understand how patients with cancer experience uncertainty throughout their illness trajectory
T2  - Qualitative Health Research
N2  - Uncertainty is a central theme in the illness experiences of older cancer patients throughout their illness trajectory. Mishel’s popular theory on uncertainty during illness approaches uncertainty as an outcome and is characterized by the patient’s inability to find meaning in illness events. This study used the concepts of liminality and subjunctivity to explore uncertainty throughout the illness trajectory of cancer patients. We interviewed 18 older (age range = 57–92 years) patients with breast cancer or gastro-intestinal cancer 3 to 4 years post diagnosis. Our analysis is based on the QUAGOL guide that draws on elements of grounded theory such as constant comparison. We found that liminality and subjunctivity provide a useful frame for understanding uncertainty with a specific focus on its productive potential and meaning making. Health care professionals should be open to acquiring a complete picture of patients’ diverse and dynamic experiences of uncertainty in the different stages of their illness trajectory.
KW  - illness experiences
KW  - cancer patients
KW  - uncertainty
KW  - liminality
KW  - subjunctivity
KW  - qualitative research
KW  - Europe
Y1  - 2019
UR  - http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/53530
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-535303
SN  - 1552-7557
SN  - 1049-7323
SP  - 356
EP  - 365
PB  - SAGE Publications
CY  - London [u. a.]
ER  -