Positive and Negative Interactions With Health Professionals: A Qualitative Investigation of the Experiences of Informal Cancer Carers
Abstract
Background Empathic and informative interactions with health professionals are important for the well-being of people with cancer. However, there is a dearth of research examining the construction and experience of interactions with health professionals from the perspective of informal cancer carers. Objective The aim of this study was to explore how cancer carers subjectively position their experiences of interactions with health professionals, in particular, their construction of experiences as positive or negative, and the perceived consequences of such interactions. Positioning theory is used to examine how the sociomedical construction of health professionals shapes carers' experiences of interactions with them. Method Semistructured interviews were carried out with 53 informal cancer carers across a range of cancer types and stages, analyzed using thematic decomposition. Results Carers positioned positive interactions as those involving health professionals who were warm and genuine, accessible and approachable, and who made carers feel accepted and comfortable. In the case of allied health professionals, the provision of a space for carers' cathartic release was also constructed positively. Negative interactions were positioned as those involving poor communication and a lack of empathy, poor or absent information provision, and absence of guidance about additional support. Conclusions Positive experiences with health professionals were positioned by carers as leading…
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From Systematic review of caregiver burden, unmet needs and quality-of-life among informal caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Gilbert, E., Ussher, J. M., Perz, J., Hobbs, K., & Kirsten, L.
- Affiliations
- Nepean Hospital (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Ussher, Jane M.
- Venue
- Cancer Nursing
- Published
- 2010-11
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- E1-E9
- ISSN
- 0162-220X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2075757110
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cancer Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Cancer Council NSW
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
- Keywords
- patient-professional interaction, healthcare workers, positioning theory, empathy, communication, information provision, caregiver well-being, emotional distress, empowerment, catharsis, allied health professionals, caregiver needs, family caregivers
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Empathy, Female, Health Personnel, Home Care Services, Humans, Interprofessional Relations, Interview, Psychological, Male, Middle Aged, Oncology Nursing, Social Support, Caregivers, Patient-Centered Care, Interdisciplinary Communication, Qualitative Research
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