Abstract
The problem: The number of people living longer with advanced
cancer continues to grow. Despite medical advances, they
experience bodily deterioration and functional changes as their
cancer progresses. Continued occupational engagement is highly
valued and shapes their experience at end of life (Morgan et
al 2017). However, opportunities are not consistently available
to assist them to adapt their environment to the continuous
change experienced. This study aimed to understand the lived
experience of occupational engagement for working-aged adults
with advanced cancer and how this changes over time.
Conclusion: The physical environment can be a significant barrier
or facilitator to continued occupational engagement. To facilitate
continued engagement at end of life, the physical environment
must be assessed and barriers identified and addressed. This will
significantly affect quality of life at end-of-life for people living
with advanced cancer.
Methods: Eight adults (18–64) living with advanced cancer
participated in multiple semi-structured interviews. A
longitudinal, phenomenological approach was used for the
study design, data collection and analysis. Findings were mapped
against the Model of Human Occupation.
Results: People living with advanced cancer have a strong desire
to continue engaging in everyday activities. In order to do so,
physical environmental factors must be addressed, as these can
assist or prevent individuals from participating in meaningful
occupations. As cancer progresses and functional changes occur,
ongoing reassessments ensure a good fit between the person,
their activities and the environment. This is significant as barriers
in the physical environment can limit purposeful engagement in
valued activities for people living with advanced cancer
cancer continues to grow. Despite medical advances, they
experience bodily deterioration and functional changes as their
cancer progresses. Continued occupational engagement is highly
valued and shapes their experience at end of life (Morgan et
al 2017). However, opportunities are not consistently available
to assist them to adapt their environment to the continuous
change experienced. This study aimed to understand the lived
experience of occupational engagement for working-aged adults
with advanced cancer and how this changes over time.
Conclusion: The physical environment can be a significant barrier
or facilitator to continued occupational engagement. To facilitate
continued engagement at end of life, the physical environment
must be assessed and barriers identified and addressed. This will
significantly affect quality of life at end-of-life for people living
with advanced cancer.
Methods: Eight adults (18–64) living with advanced cancer
participated in multiple semi-structured interviews. A
longitudinal, phenomenological approach was used for the
study design, data collection and analysis. Findings were mapped
against the Model of Human Occupation.
Results: People living with advanced cancer have a strong desire
to continue engaging in everyday activities. In order to do so,
physical environmental factors must be addressed, as these can
assist or prevent individuals from participating in meaningful
occupations. As cancer progresses and functional changes occur,
ongoing reassessments ensure a good fit between the person,
their activities and the environment. This is significant as barriers
in the physical environment can limit purposeful engagement in
valued activities for people living with advanced cancer
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | British Journal of Occupational Therapy |
| Volume | 84 |
| Issue number | 8 Suppl |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Royal College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference 2021 - Virtual conference Duration: 30 Jun 2021 → 1 Jul 2021 |
