A V Mellblom1, A Finset, L Korsvold, J H Loge, E Ruud, H C Lie. 1. Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore (a) to what extent adolescent cancer survivors express emotional concerns during follow-up consultations, (b) the content of these expressions, and (c) the responses to their concerns by the paediatric haemato-oncologists (oncologists). METHODS: Sixty-six follow-up consultations between adolescent patients (aged 12-20 years old; mean = 16) and oncologists (n = 10) were video recorded. Emotional concerns were coded using the Verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES). The content of the concerns was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Emotional concerns (n = 115) were identified in 50% of the consultations. Of the concerns, 87% were expressed implicitly as hints to the underlying emotion (cues) rather than explicitly (concerns). The oncologists elicited 66.9% of these expressions. Four main categories of emotional concerns were identified in the thematic analysis: physical (31%), psychological (29%), social (17%), and cancer related (23%). The majority (76.5%) of the oncologists' responses to the cues and/or concerns provided space for further disclosure. The oncologists responded less explicitly to the emotional aspects of physical and cancer-related issues in comparison with the cues or concerns of psychological origin. More cues and concerns were expressed when parents were not present in the consultation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, almost half of the adolescent patients presented emotional concerns, and a subgroup presented many concerns; these were mainly expressed when initiated by the oncologists. Oncologists should therefore be attentive to hints to underlying emotions to help the adolescent bring forward his or her concerns.
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore (a) to what extent adolescent cancer survivors express emotional concerns during follow-up consultations, (b) the content of these expressions, and (c) the responses to their concerns by the paediatric haemato-oncologists (oncologists). METHODS: Sixty-six follow-up consultations between adolescent patients (aged 12-20 years old; mean = 16) and oncologists (n = 10) were video recorded. Emotional concerns were coded using the Verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES). The content of the concerns was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Emotional concerns (n = 115) were identified in 50% of the consultations. Of the concerns, 87% were expressed implicitly as hints to the underlying emotion (cues) rather than explicitly (concerns). The oncologists elicited 66.9% of these expressions. Four main categories of emotional concerns were identified in the thematic analysis: physical (31%), psychological (29%), social (17%), and cancer related (23%). The majority (76.5%) of the oncologists' responses to the cues and/or concerns provided space for further disclosure. The oncologists responded less explicitly to the emotional aspects of physical and cancer-related issues in comparison with the cues or concerns of psychological origin. More cues and concerns were expressed when parents were not present in the consultation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, almost half of the adolescent patients presented emotional concerns, and a subgroup presented many concerns; these were mainly expressed when initiated by the oncologists. Oncologists should therefore be attentive to hints to underlying emotions to help the adolescent bring forward his or her concerns.
Authors: Anneli V Mellblom; Live Korsvold; Arnstein Finset; Jon Loge; Ellen Ruud; Hanne C Lie Journal: J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol Date: 2015-12 Impact factor: 2.223
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