Leeat Granek1, Ora Nakash2,3, Samuel Ariad4, Shahar Shapira5, Merav Ben-David6,7. 1. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. 2. School for Social Work, Smith College, North Hampton, MA, USA. 3. Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center, Herzilya, Israel. 4. Department of Oncology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. 5. Gender Studies Program, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. 6. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 7. Radiation Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Abstract
Background: A substantial number of people with cancer endorse suicidality when compared with the general population. Thus, oncology healthcare workers may experience the death of a patient to suicide over their careers. Aims: To explore the impact of patients' mental health distress and suicidality on oncology personnel with a secondary aim of exploring how personnel cope with these types of events. Method: We interviewed 61 healthcare professionals (HCPs) at two cancer centers. The grounded theory method (GT) was used. Results: The impact of patients' mental health distress and suicidal ideation on oncology HCPs included sadness, depression, worry and concern, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. The impact of patient suicide on HCPs included trauma, guilt, and surprise. Oncology personnel reported a change in practice, including communication style, being attuned to patient cues, and changing the physical environment. Coping strategies included colleague support, seeking professional help, and setting boundaries between their work and home life. Limitations: It is likely that HCPs who participated in the study represent those who are more willing to discuss issues related to suicide. Thus, the impact of patient suicide on healthcare providers may be even more pronounced among the general oncology HCP community. Conclusion: Given the higher risk of suicide among cancer patients, it is necessary to increase awareness about the impact these events may have on HCPs. Professional guidelines can highlight the need for a balance between ensuring the availability of informal support and more formal methods of help.
Background: A substantial number of people with cancer endorse suicidality when compared with the general population. Thus, oncology healthcare workers may experience the death of a patient to suicide over their careers. Aims: To explore the impact of patients' mental health distress and suicidality on oncology personnel with a secondary aim of exploring how personnel cope with these types of events. Method: We interviewed 61 healthcare professionals (HCPs) at two cancer centers. The grounded theory method (GT) was used. Results: The impact of patients' mental health distress and suicidal ideation on oncology HCPs included sadness, depression, worry and concern, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. The impact of patient suicide on HCPs included trauma, guilt, and surprise. Oncology personnel reported a change in practice, including communication style, being attuned to patient cues, and changing the physical environment. Coping strategies included colleague support, seeking professional help, and setting boundaries between their work and home life. Limitations: It is likely that HCPs who participated in the study represent those who are more willing to discuss issues related to suicide. Thus, the impact of patient suicide on healthcare providers may be even more pronounced among the general oncology HCP community. Conclusion: Given the higher risk of suicide among cancerpatients, it is necessary to increase awareness about the impact these events may have on HCPs. Professional guidelines can highlight the need for a balance between ensuring the availability of informal support and more formal methods of help.
Entities:
Keywords:
cancer patients; grounded theory; healthcare workers; mental health distress; oncology; qualitative methods; suicidality
Authors: Marcos Vinicius de Carvalho Mendes; Solange Laurentino Dos Santos; Claudia Cristina Lima de Castro; Betise Mery Alencar Sousa Macau Furtado; Heitor Victor Veiga da Costa; Albanita Gomes da Costa de Ceballos; Pauliana Valéria Machado Galvão; Cristine Vieira do Bonfim Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-30 Impact factor: 3.390