Reflection on Concept Map for People Living with Chronic Illness

This article discusses the process of developing a concept map for an individual living with chronic illness, specifically lung cancer. It covers the impact of different factors such as treatment, family support, socioeconomic condition, and coping ability on the patient's quality of life. The article also highlights the importance of the biopsychosocial model in providing holistic care to patients. The author reflects on the knowledge gained from the activity and its implications for future nursing practice.

Running head: BACHELOR OF NURSING
Bachelor of nursing
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1BACHELOR OF NURSING
Reflection on concept map:
What?
While engaging in the process of developing concept map for individual living with
chronic illness, I had to first identify one patient with specific chronic illness and then interpret
different factors that could have an impact on living with the chronic illness. Initially I was
confused regarding the approach to develop the concept map. However, after researching on the
factors that could affect health and well-being, I could plan a framework for my concept map.
My plan was to link the symptoms of chronic illness with different factors such as nature of
employment, family relationship, coping abilities, health education and effect of treatment on
patient. The method of developing the concept map and reflection regarding the impact of
activity on knowledge related to patient centered care is explained in detail below.
So what?
I had chosen a patient with lung cancer to proceed with the task. I first framed the map
based on common symptoms observed in patient with lung cancer and then linked several factors
such a treatment, family support, socioeconomic condition and coping ability on patient living
with lung cancer. I developed the concept considering bio-psychosocial aspects of illness in
mind. Bio-psychosocial model is an important model for practicing good medicine and providing
holistic care to patient (Wade and Halligan 2017). It involves consideration of psychosocial
aspects of illness too apart from biomedical factors. I used this model to explain the impact of
biological, psychological and social factors on quality of life of patients with lung cancer.
I used biomedical factors to establish link between symptoms and risk factor. Cigeratte
smoking is one common risk factor for lung cancer. Hence, this was linked with patient’s

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information in the concept map. Since the concept map was related to a patient living with end
stage of cancer, experience of patient at the end of life or palliative care was also considered. The
research regarding end of life care in patients with advanced lung cancer has revealed that once
palliative care needs is identified for patient, appropriate communication process is necessary to
assist patients and family members regarding disease trajectory. This may involve educating
patient and family members about expected outcome and informing about care plans. Another
important goal of palliative care is management of symptoms such as pain, respiratory secretion,
dyspnea and provide comfort and maintain dignity of patient (Lim 2016). Hence, all these factors
were incorporated in the concept map to understand experience of patients living with lung
cancer. As communication is an essential part of end of life care, I linked education by health
care professionals to assist patient in fighting with the disease and adhering to treatment regimen.
Apart from physical health issues in advanced lung cancer patient, mental health issues
such as stress, anxiety and depression is also most commonly experienced by patient. Lung
cancer patients experience chronic physical and psychological symptoms because of impaired
physical and social function, significant burden of illness and poor quality of life. For newly
diagnosed patient, diagnosis of lung cancer is associated with shock and fear too (Yates et al.
2013). Hence, symptom of anxiety, depression and stress was incorporated in the concept
because of evidence that large number of lung cancer patients experience psychological distress.
It gives idea regarding the burdensome nature of chronic illness and its impact on quality of life
of people living with the illness.
Other elements that has an impact on patient’s living with chronic illness includes social
determinant of health and relationship with families. Social determinant of health factors such as
employment, housing and family relationship influence disease management process and

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patient’s ability to cope with illness. Family support is an important factor that determines
patient’s experience (Wright et al. 2016). Hence, I included these elements in the concept map to
explain that no family support increases risk of psychological distress and poor adherence to
treatment in patient. Various interventions or treatment were also linked to address symptom of
pain, stress and dyspnea. On the whole, I tried to cover all important points experience by people
living with chronic illness.
Next What?
By the activity of developing concept map for people living with chronic illness like lung
cancer, I learnt a lot about the challenges faced by patients. After gaining information regarding
psychological experience and experience of stress in patient, I have learnt about different
psychosocial factors that affects health and well-being of patient. This knowledge will have
useful implication for my future nursing practice. I can use this knowledge to understand
sensitive needs of patients with chronic illness and maintain comfort and dignity while providing
care too.

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References:
Lim, R.B., 2016. End-of-life care in patients with advanced lung cancer. Therapeutic advances
in respiratory disease, 10(5), pp.455-467.
Wade, D.T. and Halligan, P.W., 2017. The biopsychosocial model of illness: a model whose time
has come. Retrieved from: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269215517709890
Wright, A.A., Keating, N.L., Ayanian, J.Z., Chrischilles, E.A., Kahn, K.L., Ritchie, C.S., Weeks,
J.C., Earle, C.C. and Landrum, M.B., 2016. Family perspectives on aggressive cancer care near
the end of life. Jama, 315(3), pp.284-292.
Yates, P., Schofield, P., Zhao, I. and Currow, D., 2013. Supportive and palliative care for lung
cancer patients. Journal of thoracic disease, 5(Suppl 5), p.S623.