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Perceptions of a patient-staff-caregiver group among inpatients in a radiotherapy unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2014

Inbal Mitnik ,
Daniela Zalman ,
Marina Vorobeichik ,
Michal Gurevich-Halevi ,
Liron Eliasov ,
Doron Lulav-Grinwald  and
Gil Bar-Sela
Inbal Mitnik
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Daniela Zalman
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Marina Vorobeichik
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Michal Gurevich-Halevi
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Liron Eliasov
Affiliation:
Division of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Doron Lulav-Grinwald
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Gil Bar-Sela*
Affiliation:
Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Gil Bar-Sela, Director, Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O.B. 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel. E-mail: g_barsela@rambam.health.gov.il.
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Abstract

Objective:

Coping with cancer and its treatments has significant psychological implications for patients, and hospitalization can lead to emotional distress. Based on a community meeting (CM), a common therapeutic intervention in psychiatric wards, a unique patient–staff–caregiver group is held weekly on the radiotherapy unit of our hospital. The goals are to strengthen patient coping abilities and prompt open communications. The present study aimed at quantitatively estimating the effect of the community meeting by gauging the perceptions with respect to several therapeutic aspects.

Method:

A questionnaire was developed for patients who participated in CMs during their hospitalization based on four theoretical factors: illness perception, relations with the main caregiver, relations with other participants, and relations with unit staff.

Results:

Participants' general satisfaction with the meetings was found to be positive. The most significant aspect of the meetings, as perceived by participants, was relationships with the staff. Patients born in Israel perceived relationships with other participants more positively.

Significance of results:

Attentive interaction with medical staff and open communications are highly important for patients and contribute to their general satisfaction with the meetings.

Keywords

Coping with cancerGroup interventionIllness perceptionPatient–staff relationsPatient–caregiver relationships
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , August 2015 , pp. 953 - 960
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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