Feasibility and Acceptability of a Dignity Therapy/Life Plan Intervention for Patients With Advanced Cancer

Purpose/Objectives: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of:a dignity therapy/life plan intervention in the outpatient oncology setting. Research Approach: Pilot descriptive study. Setting: Outpatient clinic in a tertiary oncology center. Participants: 18 patients within 12 months after diagnosis undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. Metliodologic Approach: Patients received dignity therapy, consisting of a focused, life. review/values clarification interview session and two subsequent sessions to produce a generativity document; which they can use later as they wish. Participants also wrote a life,plan, in which they listed future hopes and dreams. Intervention feasibility and acceptability for patients and oncology clinician satisfaction were assessed, Findings: Among the 18 patients completing the intervention,almost all felt, it was worthwhile, would do it again; had their expectations met:or exceeded, would recommend it to others, and said the timing was just right. Interpretation: This psychosocial intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable to patients with cancer undergoing active treatment. Implications for Nursing: Nurses may be in an:ideal position to offer a dignity therapy/life plan intervention to patients with advanced cancer during treatment.