Oncologists’ and oncology nurses’ attitudes and practices towards family involvement in cancer consultations
Corresponding Author
R. Laidsaar-Powell BSci (Psych) (Hons), PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Correspondence address: Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, School of Psychology, PoCoG, Level 6, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (C39Z), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorP. Butow M Clin Psych, MPH, PhD
Professor
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorS. Bu BSci (Psych) (Hons)
Research Assistant
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorA. Fisher B Lib Std (Psych Hons)
Research Assistant, PhD Candidate
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorI. Juraskova BA(Hons), MPsych(Clin), PhD
Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
R. Laidsaar-Powell BSci (Psych) (Hons), PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Correspondence address: Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, School of Psychology, PoCoG, Level 6, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (C39Z), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorP. Butow M Clin Psych, MPH, PhD
Professor
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorS. Bu BSci (Psych) (Hons)
Research Assistant
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorA. Fisher B Lib Std (Psych Hons)
Research Assistant, PhD Candidate
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorI. Juraskova BA(Hons), MPsych(Clin), PhD
Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor
Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Family members (FMs) regularly attend cancer consultations with patients, may assume an array of roles (e.g. emotional, informational) and their involvement may result in benefits and/or challenges. Little is currently known about how oncology health professionals (HPs) view FMs who accompany a patient in consultations. This study aimed to explore the attitudes and practices of Australian oncologists and oncology nurses regarding family involvement in consultations. Eleven oncologists and 10 nurses from a range of subspecialties and tumour streams participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analysed using framework analysis methods. Five relevant themes were identified: (1) the varied and dynamic nature of family roles during consultations; (2) positivity towards FMs; (3) the benefits of family involvement to the FM themselves; (4) current HP practices to facilitate positive family involvement; and (5) the challenges of family involvement in consultations and HP practices to manage them. Overall, participants held mostly positive attitudes towards family involvement. Although they identified a number of challenges which can arise when family are involved, many noted these situations are the exception, that there are strategies which can help to overcome the challenges, and that the benefits of family involvement typically outweigh the costs.
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