Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Patients diagnosed with haematological cancers, including leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma, have highly specialized needs which differ in fundamental ways from those of the general oncology population. The absence of a specific solid tumour site and the typically chronic disease course set the stage for critical interpersonal interactions within a highly complicated and rapidly changing health care environment. Haematological patients may face intense diagnostic and treatment regimens, increased risk for secondary disease, palliation, and end-of-life care decision-making. Although clinical experience and a small body of available research indicate these differences will influence the care communication environment, there is little research into the critical role that health care communication can play in shaping patient care and outcomes. Beginning with secondary analysis, this study will examine data collected from over 260 mixed oncology patients over the past decade by the UBC Cancer Care Communication Program to explore similarities and differences in communication experience between general oncology and haematology patients. Interview data has been coded in both NVivo™ and MS Excel™ and the secondary analysis will be approached using Interpretive Description. This applied qualitative methodology seeks to generate an analytical framework within which emerging themes such as decision making, information interpretation, sense-making, and sustainment of emotional support systems within a shifting world can be explored and interpreted. Rigorous analysis will illuminate the complex challenges associated with effective interactions. Thematic secondary analysis will inform additional data collection through focused interviews with a new haematological patient cohort. The knowledge gained from this study will be used to develop explicit tools for improving practice, as well as publication and presentation within the haematologic health care community.