New interview methodologies help cancer patients and their spouses deal with challenging circumstances

Tools for dealing with feelings caused by illness

In the Momentary Key Metaphor methodology, the patient was asked to describe their experience of the illness using metaphors. The method helps the patient better understand and articulate their experiences. At the same time, it supports the patient in handling their emotions and helps the patient and their spouse support each other.

In the Clip Approach methodology, the interviewer uses slips of paper to reflect key parts of the patient’s narration back through visual artefacts known as “Clips”. Clips help the patient understand and reconstruct their own narratives. The method reinforces the patient’s feeling that their experience has been heard and helps them see themselves as an active agent in their own care.

– A cancer diagnosis has a dramatic and wide-ranging impact on both the patient and their loved ones. A serious illness often disrupts a person’s life story and forces them to reconstruct it. Our new methods provide tools for tolerating uncertainty and handling emotions, says Riikka Talsi.

More holistic care in changing circumstances

The methodologies can help patients and their spouses build a bridge between the past and the future. They also strengthen the patient’s position as an active agent in their own care.

Timo Joensuu, Specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy at Docrates, sees Talsi’s research results as significant.

– These methodologies offer new perspectives for supporting patients. They can help us better understand what patients are going through and, as a result, develop more holistic ways of meeting patients and their loved ones and supporting them in processing their emotions, says Joensuu.

According to Talsi, the new methodologies are also suitable for use in other life-changing situations in addition to cancer. They carry potential in areas such as psychotherapy and doctors’ appointments in longer care relationships.

* Talsi, Riikka. Haastattelumetodologioita omaelämäkerrallisten murrosten käsittelyyn ja elämäntarinoiden (uudelleen)rakentamiseen.[Rivityskohta]Interview Methodologies for Addressing Autobiographical Ruptures and (Re)Constructing Life Narratives – A Longitudinal Study Among Prostate Cancer Patients and Their Spouses.

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For more information, please contact:

Riikka Talsi, M.Sc. (Tech)
riikka.talsi@iki.fi

Timo Joensuu, M.D., Specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy
Associate Professor of Clinical Oncology, Professor
timo.joensuu@docrates.com