Adaptation after facial surgery: using the diary as a research tool

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Psychosocial Oncology

Background:

• Facial cancer surgery significantly impacts patients' appearance and well-being.
• Understanding patient experiences during recovery and adaptation is crucial for supportive care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of qualitative diaries in capturing patient experiences after facial cancer surgery.
• To identify challenges and benefits associated with using diaries as a research tool in this population.

Main Methods:

• A small-scale qualitative diary study was conducted with five facial cancer surgery patients.
• Participants recorded their experiences, thoughts, and feelings for up to one year post-surgery.
• The study also critically examined the diary method itself as a research tool.

Main Results:

• Diary entries offered detailed insights into patients' surgical recovery and adaptation to altered appearance.
• Factors such as novelty, personal significance, and writing style influenced data quantity and quality.
• Challenges included comparability with interview data and barriers like visual difficulties and depression.

Conclusions:

• Qualitative diaries can yield rich, longitudinal data on patient experiences following facial cancer surgery.
• Researchers must consider potential data limitations and patient-specific barriers when employing this method.
• Further research can refine the use of diaries to enhance psychosocial oncology patient support.