Process of Empowerment through Interviews with Survivors of Lung Cancer

Abstract

Abstract

This aim of this study was to elucidate the process of changes in empowerment by conducting interviews for promoting empowerment with lung cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy. Three male patients in their 50s or 60s undergoing first time chemotherapy for lung cancer agreed to participate. We used a partially modified version of Chang et al.’s interview model, which was based on Freire’s theory of empowerment. Verbatim records of all recorded respondent interviews and researcher’s journal were collected as descriptive data, which was individually coded and categorized. Subsequently, aspects of the empowerment process that were common to all three participants were identified from the perspective of mutual changes among participants and the researcher. Participants were supervised by the qualitative researcher throughout the entire process.

The results showed five stages of change common to all participants：Stage 1）initiation of partnership with the researcher, Stage 2）helplessness associated with diagnosis of cancer, Stage 3）critical consciousness, Stage 4）recovery of self-efficacy and Stage 5）recovery of the power to undergo lung cancer treatment.

The results also suggested as with previous studies, critical consciousness was identified as an essential stage. In addition, the present findings suggest that mutual changes among cancer survivors and nurses that promote “new confidence” among cancer survivors are important even during the short period between diagnosis and acceptance of treatment.