Nursing professionals' feelings towards oncology patients

Abstract

Oncologic and hematologic disturbances are described as the disordered growth of cells that invade tissue and organs. Even if it is considered rare, the occurrence of the disease at an infantile-juvenile stage generates an abrupt change in the patients' and in the patients' family lives. The nursing professionals’ involvement in the whole process generates feelings that arise from the emotional bond created by direct or indirect caring provided to this particular clientele. The purpose of this study is to identify the nursing team feelings when caring for children and adolescents hospitalized with cancer, as well as the defense mechanisms developed for avoiding or reducing the emotional involvement. A descriptive and investigative research using qualitative methods was carried out. The research roadmap consisted of the participants' identification and two open questions recorded on cassette tapes. The interviewed nursing professionals work at the oncological unit of a hospital for the public-sector workers in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. An analysis of the nurses' accounts demonstrated that the research participants experienced feelings of sadness towards the child and the adolescent with cancer. The professionals’ coping strategies were detachment and trivialization. The research results evidenced that these professionals need emotional support to be able to deal with the disease. Hospitals should provide continuing education opportunities specially directed to the nursing team as a strategy to promote changes.