Table 1 Transitions theory (modified from Meleis’ transitions theory): essential properties of transition experiences

Awareness:

Awareness was related to a sense or feeling of illness and a gradual preparedness and understanding of the disease and how the person perceived their situation.

Engagement:

Engagement is defined as the degree to which a person demonstrates commitment to the process from diagnosis to treatment period and how they perceive the transition from being healthy to being sick.

Change and difference:

Change and difference relates to the participants’ perceptions of the changes they experienced during the period between diagnosis and treatment.

Critical points and events:

Transitions experiences involved critical turning points or events. Critical points were often associated with increasing awareness of change or difference, or more active engagement in dealing with the transition experience. In addition, there were final critical points, which were characterised by a sense of stabilisation in new routines, skills, lifestyles, and self-care activities.

Preparation and

Knowledge:

Being prepared and having different life experiences facilitates the transition, while the lack of preparation can inhibit the process. Interconnected with preparation is the knowledge of what to expect during the transition and what strategies can be helpful for dealing with it. Knowledge about the possibility of getting well affect positively.

Developing confidence and Coping:

Reflects the nature of the transition process to which there is a pattern that indicates that people experience a greater degree of trust and understanding towards medical care and treatment. Persons use their resources and capacity to develop strategies to deal with their situation and make it easier to live with limitations.

Interacting

Interaction and confirmation from the medical staff and next of kin have been clarified through interaction and reflection on new and emerging relationships and was necessary to achieve a successful transition.