Experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Compassion fatigue refers to the emotional and physical exhaustion felt by professionals in caring roles, whereas compassion satisfaction encompasses the positive aspects of helping others. Levels of compassion satisfaction and fatigue have been found to be inconsistent in palliative care professionals, which could have serious implications for patients, professionals and organisations. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care, all worked with adults with cancer, to gain an understanding of the impact this work has on their self and how they manage this. METHODS: A qualitative approach was taken, using semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Three superordinate themes were identified: commitment, existential impact on the self and the oracle. The participants' experiences were characterised by the relationship between themselves and their patients, the influence of working in palliative services on their world view and the impact of organisational changes. Differences between working as a clinical psychologist in palliative care versus non-palliative settings were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals working in palliative care should be supported to reflect on their experiences of compassion and resilience, and services should provide resources that facilitate staff to practice positive self-care to maintain their well-being.

Satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction: Experiences in the early post-operative stage.

OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study aimed to achieve an understanding of women's experiences of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy, to better understand the factors influencing patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Nine women were recruited from a breast unit in the North West of England. Participants were 3-9 months post-reconstruction, had received either an implant-based or Latissimus Dorsi-based immediate reconstruction and were not receiving any adjuvant therapies. An inductive qualitative and phenomenological approach was adopted to data collection and analysis. METHODS: Women took part in semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were generated: Seeking and receiving information; coping with the outcome of reconstruction; the need for on-going support and a new life after surgery. CONCLUSION: The study highlights difficulties surrounding receiving information and decision-making, how women make sense of recovery, how they solicit and receive support, and the process by which they begin to make sense of their futures. More focus on these areas in service provision may aid positive psychological outcomes in the recovery process following immediate breast reconstruction.