The role of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs) in coping for patients with brain tumours and their parents: a qualitative study

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Abstract

Background: When children and young people (CYP) are diagnosed with a brain tumour, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is key to the clinical management of this condition. This can produce hundreds, and often thousands, of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs).

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 14 families (15 parents and 8 patients), and analysed using Grounded Theory. Analysis was supported by the Framework Method.

Results: Although the focus of the research was whether paediatric patients and their families find viewing MRIs beneficial, all patients and parents discussed difficult times during the illness and using various strategies to cope. This article explores the identified coping strategies that involved MRIs, and the role that MRIs can play in coping. Coping strategies were classified under the aim of the strategy when used: ‘Normalising’; ‘Maintaining hope and a sense of the future’; ‘Dealing with an uncertain future’; and ‘Seeking Support’.

Conclusions: Coping and finding ways to cope are clearly used by patients and their families and are something that they wish to discuss, as they were raised in conversations that were not necessarily about coping. This suggests clinicians should always allow time and space (in appointments, consultations, or impromptu conversations on the ward) for patient families to discuss ways of coping.

MRIs were found to be used in various ways: to maintain or adapt normal; maintain hope and a sense of the future; deal with an uncertain future; and seek support from others. Clinicians should recognise the potential for MRIs to aid coping and if appropriate, suggest that families take copies of scans (MRIs) home. Professional coaches or counsellors may also find MRIs beneficial as a way to remind families that the child is in a more stable or ‘better’ place than they have been previously.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1013
Number of pages10
JournalBMC Cancer
Volume21
Issue number1
Early online date10 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Sept 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are grateful to all of our participants and the Research Advisory Group for their insights, and to the University of Birmingham?s Children?s Brain Tumour Research Trust that gave feedback on the earlier presentations related to the study. We also thank colleagues that gave their insights and time, Dr. Gerard Millen, Dr. Beryl Rodrigues, Dr. Albert Farre, Desi Rogues, Sharon Beardsmore, Helen Woodman and many others that supported us.

Funding Information:
The research was funded by a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Research Professorship NIHR-RP-R2–12-019 awarded to AP. The Article Processing Charge was funded by the University of Birmingham. The funder and sponsor had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results. 

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Qualitative research
  • Patient views
  • Imaging
  • Oncology
  • Coping strategies
  • Patient families
  • Paediatric
  • CYP
  • Tumours

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