paywalled: Psychological Distress of the Bereaved Seeking Medical Counseling at a Cancer Center

 Blogger's Note/Opinion: the abstract is one of a few which is written in plain english and with an empathetic 'tone' both of which set it apart from many psycho-oncology papers

Psychological Distress of the Bereaved Seeking Medical Counseling at a Cancer Center

Abstract

Objective The death of a loved one is one of the most stressful events in life and is related to the physical and psychological wellbeing of the bereaved. Some bereaved individuals seek medical counseling to alleviate their distress. However, no studies have focused on the bereaved who have lost a loved one to cancer and have asked for medical help at a cancer center as a result. The aim of this study was to investigate the distress of the bereaved who sought consultation, as basic information for considering support.

Methods We conducted a survey of people consulting outpatient services for bereaved families between April 2007 and September 2009. Data were obtained from medical records at initial consultation and qualitatively analyzed by content analysis using all statements related to their distress.

Results Their statements were classified into 11 categories, which were further classified into six themes. The main categories of bereavement-related distress were as follows: (i) regret; (ii) anger; (iii) memories; (iv) loneliness; (v) anxiety; and (vi) hopelessness. ‘Regret’ was frequently recognized in their distress and it includes some points related to the cancer trajectory. 

Conclusions Psychological distresses of the bereaved who have lost a loved one and have asked for medical counseling are revealed. Their distresses are strongly related to the cancer trajectory of a family member. Some of these distresses are related to medical misunderstanding about the course of cancer. These findings might provide basic information for considering their appropriate treatment.

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OCATS requires your help

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H E L P!!!  We know it’s Grey Cup weekend, and Christmas is coming, and we’ve all got better things to do.  But, imagine in the middle of all this our Ministry of Health, without any consultations or even contacting the doctors with urgent and critical issues CANCELLED the meeting where they promised they would finally have a solution for us.

You know that for over a year now, since spring 2008, we’ve been asking for proper support for our gynecologic oncologists serving southern Saskatchewan.  In every other jurisdiction these specialists working in a clinical setting (i.e. a hospital!) with proper medical, nursing, pathology, radiology support.  But OH NO, not in Regina!  Here we expect these doctors to continue struggling to find simple office space to examine their patients and keep files.  They have to go out and find their own nursing, after hours and medical support.  This is beyond BIZARRE!  In the medical issues business, this has got to be something we can actually figure out and fix?  No?

Last meeting, I presented a solution for the interim.  Reimburse the doctors immediately for their private practice space, get a proper nurse in their for them.  This is minimal, while a real solution is sought.  Gov’t response – NONE, NADA.

This meeting was put off because not only is there no solution yet, no one has even contacted the doctors, visited them, observed their needs, nothing.  NADA.  Do we want/need these specialists - highly sought out and highly skilled experts who need to be in the operating room or examining patients – to be out looking for appropriate office space, trying to figure out how to PAY for it, recruiting for their own support staff, filling the supply cabinets????

Remember in the spring when a Regina gyne onc told the media that the working conditions had become unworkable?  This meant the specialists were considering closing their private practices.  This meant patients had to be shipped out of Regina?  Well – they were told a lot of promises, as was OCATS.  They were told a solution would come before Sept 1^st, then they said oh that was summer; we’ll get it done by fall.  Well fall has been deferred til next year!  Enough is Enough!!!!  Evidently the only time the Ministry seriously listens is when women in large numbers speak loudly.  The legislative assembly will be sitting for only a few more days. 

P l e a s e    h e l p    u s    s p e a k    l o u d l y !

Write to:  The Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Health, Government of Saskatchewan, Minister's Office, Room 302, Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative Drive, Regina, SK, S4S 0B3, Fax (306) 787-0237, minister.he@gov.sk.ca, sophie.ferre@gov.sk.ca

Copy to:  (this is really the job of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health District) Dr. Dwight Nelson, CEO RQHD dwight.nelson@rqhealth.ca, Dr. Chris Vuksic, Chris.Vuksic@rqhealth.ca

And Copy to:  Dwain Lingenfelter, Leader of the Official Opposition and Opposition Health Critic, Judy Junor, c/o Dwight Yasinowsky at dyasinowski@ndpcaucus.sk.ca

cc:  OCATS too please, ocats@ocats.ca

Short, Sweet and To the Point is all you need:

Dear Minister – Ovarian cancer patients don’t have enough time for this continue bureaucratic fumbling.  There are highly paid administrators and executives are various levels who should be able to resolve the issue of poor working conditions for Gynecologic Oncologists serving Southern Saskatchewan.  Enough is enough.  At minimum get these specialist’s office space and support staff in place and paid for before the end of the year.

patient advocacy

Today, as I ponder spending the past 48 hrs trying to help this friend, I am disgusted with the lack of response. How can this be? (see letter below)

Ovarian Cancer Advocate

Ovarian Cancer Advocate

"This webpage has been established by a group of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in British Columbia. "