Every Tomorrow, a Vision of Hope

Abstract

Although hope has been identified as an important factor in the care of cancer patients and their families, it is not formally assessed in patients' records. This article explains how the Nowotny Hope Scale NHS) can be used to assess patients' hope. The subscales of the NHS provide a framework for the development and implementation of strategies to maintain, reinforce, and facilitate hope. Sources of hope as well as conflicts between the hopes of health care providers and cancer survivors are also discussed.