The cancer care observation: an empathy training experience. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dwyer, Justin; O'Callaghan, Clare; Ross, Margaret
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 29:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: empathy -- psychotherapy -- cancer; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856220956464
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objective: A 'cancer care observation' (CCO) empathy training is described. This study examined psychiatry trainees' experience of CCO and cancer patients' experience of being observed. Method: Trainees were paired with consenting patients undergoing cancer treatment; they observed a number of cancer treatment sessions and chronicled their experiences. The observations were discussed in supervision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with trainees and observed patients. Observation journals and transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative description. Results: Seven trainees participated. Three themes emerged: patients used trainees to support themselves while trainees struggled with role identities; CCO extends trainees' professional awareness and can benefit patients; and staff reactions were mixed. Trainees developed wide-ranging, empathic insights into cancer and hospital care experiences. No patient regarded CCO as intrusive. Conclusions: Trainees garnered insights from CCO as they generated clinical hypotheses, learnt about professional boundaries and gained first-hand experience of unconscious mental processes based on their empathic connections. CCO lends itself to psychiatry and, potentially, other medical trainees.