Table 1.
Sample Questions from the Survivor Interview Guide
| Joining with the interviewee: Sense of self |
| • Tell me about yourself. |
| Quality of Life-Overall Importance |
| • What kinds of things do you do every day? Are they important to you? If not, what is important to you? What are the most important things in your life right now? |
| Quality of Life-Facilitators and challenges |
| • Has the brain tumor changed your view of your future path? What do you think the future will hold for you? |
| • What do you enjoy doing? What are some fun things for you to do? What do you look forward to doing? |
| • What parts of your life are most challenging? |
| Individuals who facilitate QOL and meet challenges; mothers role regarding their QOL |
| • Who assists you with everyday life? Who assists you with what is important to you? |
| • Tell me a recent example of a particular struggle you faced and how these people helped you. |
| Quality of Life-Community Issues |
| • Tell me about work? School? Play? (as appropriate) |
| • How do you communicate with others outside your home? |
| Quality of Life-Social relationships; how they relate to others |
| • Who do you spend the most time with? Who else do you spend time with? How has that changed or not since you were treated for your brain tumor? |
| • How do you feel about dating? Are you dating anyone? |
| • Do you think others treat you differently because of your brain tumor sometimes? Are you concerned about this? |
| Quality of Life-Physical |
| • If so, what kinds of physical differences (or problems) do you experience? Do you think they come from your brain tumor? Are you concerned about them? |
| • Do you worry about your health now and in the future? |
| Quality of Life-Psychological |
| • To whom to you compare yourself? What do you think about yourself when comparing yourself to others? |
| • What makes you happy? Sad? Nervous? |
| • Can you think of a time when something did not go well at work? School? Home? Tell me what you think might have helped from your family? School? Health care workers? |
| Quality of Life-Family Issues-How they relate to family members |
| • Tell me about your family |
| Other Factors that may influence Quality of Life |
| • Are there other issues that affect your everyday life that you feel are important for me to understand? |
| • What kinds of advice do you have for health care providers? |
| • What advice would you have for someone who was just diagnosed with (or just finished treatment for) a brain tumor? |