Abstract
The purpose of this philosophical hermeneutic study was to determine if, and understand how, digital stories might be effective therapeutic tools to use with children and adolescents/young adults (AYA) with cancer, thus helping mitigate suffering. Sixteen participants made digital stories with the help of a research assistant trained in digital storytelling and were interviewed following the completion of their stories. Findings from this research revealed that digital stories were a way to have others understand their experiences of cancer, allowed for further healing from their sometimes traumatic experiences, had unexpected therapeutic effects, and were a way to reconcile past experiences with current life. Digital stories, we conclude, show great promise with the pediatric and AYA oncology community and we believe are a way in which the psychosocial effects of cancer treatment may be addressed. Recommendations for incorporating digital stories into clinical practice and follow-up programs are offered.
Laing, C. M., Moules, N. J., Estefan, A., Lang, M.J. (2017). Stories that heal: Understanding the effcts of creating digital stories with pediatric and adolescent/young adult oncology patients. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 34(4), 272-282. doi:10.1177/1043454216688639
