The Meaning of a Cancer Diagnosis for the Rural Patient Through the Lenses of Merleau-Ponty and Heidegger

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In a rural setting, individuals who receive a cancer diagnosis experience an interconnected group of challenges that contribute to the lived experience of space and time. Philosophers offer a perspective of human experience that provides insight into how individuals manage life challenges. OBJECTIVE: To understand the lived experiences by inserting the lenses of Merleau-Ponty (MP) and Heidegger as they relate to space and time, and work toward a holistic practice that is maximally effective. METHODS: This qualitative secondary analysis applied hermeneutic phenomenology when reviewing interview transcripts from 15 participants. Participants discussed their experiences in ways that resonated with philosophical work from MP and Heidegger, highlighting their applicability to the nature of the participants' experiences. RESULTS: Two main themes and several subthemes were identified and interpreted using philosophical viewpoints. Theme 1, Experiencing limitations in one's space, and subthemes Sacrificing independence and personal space and Leaving the rural environment, are well explicated by MP's notion of "being-in-the-world.' Theme 2, Being thrown into life with a cancer diagnosis, and subthemes Prioritizing health, Striving for normalcy, and Living authentically, are well explained by Heidegger's impressions of temporality and thrownness. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of philosophers' viewpoints is valuable in providing a holistic understanding of the lived experience of participants. Nurses are on the frontline of healthcare and can ensure that individual needs are met while providing best-practice care for rural patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR ONCOLOGY NURSING PRACTICE: Providing authentic care, recognizing the strengths of the rural community, and practicing advocacy for the rural patient are important.