| Description |
This exploration places a special focus on narrative as a means of restoring empathy and understanding to medical care, especially to a population so vulnerable to confusion and miscommunication - children. The larger project, from which this thesis project is derived, is the development and evaluation of a tablet computer-based symptom tracking app called Color Me Healthy, developed by Dr. Lauri Linder, PhD, APRN, CPON. Through this app, pediatric cancer patients described their symptoms and shared information about their day using various mediums including the creation of an avatar, diary entries, and drawings. From the twenty patients who used Color Me Healthy, and with Dr. Linder's support and permission, three patients who varied among age, gender, and diagnosis were selected. Importantly, the diagnoses represented the three most common in the U.S.: leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumor. Qualitative data were reviewed and compiled to create snapshot narratives of each child's experience. The resulting stories that stemmed from patients' interaction with the app provided insight into how children may handle a distressing diagnosis and what is most important for their care. Major themes included an overall and persistent bother of symptoms, the importance of family and friend relationships, as well as the incorporation of play and celebration throughout treatment. Importantly, encouraging responses revolved around a high level of emotional resilience. Narrative has a potential for all disciplines (including the many within healthcare) to enhance the holistic picture of individuals and promote better care. |
