Psychological challenges for the oncology clinician who has to break bad news

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_433F8743066B
Type
A part of a book
Publication sub-type
Chapter: chapter ou part
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Psychological challenges for the oncology clinician who has to break bad news
Title of the book
New challenges in communication with cancer patients
Author(s)
Stiefel Friedrich, Krenz Sonia
Publisher
Springer
Address of publication
New York
ISBN
9781461433682
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Editor
Surbone Antonella
Pages
51-62
Language
english
Abstract
Work-related stress of the oncology clinician is not only due to heavy clinical and administrative duties, but also arises when breaking bad news. However, there is important interindividual variation in stress levels during patient encounters, mainly due to the significance the situation represents for the oncologist. A reflection on his own development, his professional identity, and ways of dealing with the patient's suffering can reduce his levels of stress and distress and prevent burnout and other psychiatric disturbances. This chapter summarizes the psychological challenges the oncology clinician is facing when he announces the diagnosis of cancer, deals with the deception of relapse, discusses the transition to palliative care, copes with progression of the disease and uncertainty, and cares for the dying who is facing the unknown. Ways of refiecting on and dealing with these situations from a psychological and communicational perspective are described and illustrated by case vignettes.
Create date
26/09/2012 10:29
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:47
Usage data