Psychosocial characteristics of patients undergoing radiotherapy and their expectations of their radiation oncologist Radyoterapi uygulanan kanser hastalarinin psikososyal özellikleri ve radyasyon onkologundan beklentileri

Özdemir S., DİNÇBAŞ H. F., Atkovar G., Özbek Ö., Özmen M.

Turk Onkoloji Dergisi, vol.26, no.1, pp.12-17, 2011 (SCI-Expanded, ESCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.5505/tjoncol.2011.538
  • Journal Name: Turk Onkoloji Dergisi
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.12-17
  • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Affiliated: No

Abstract

OBJECTIVES In this prospective clinical study, we aimed to determine the psychosocial and demographic characteristics of cancer patients and their expectations of physicians. METHODS A total of 90 cancer patients, who underwent radiotherapy between May-December 2009, were included in this study. A questionnaire developed by the authors was used for data collection. RESULTS There were 54 males and 36 females (mean age 51.6 year) in the study group. All of the patients expected their doctor to fully inform them about their disease, to wear a white coat, and to explain information in layman's terms. Patients with lower levels of education wanted their doctor to be more interested in them than their disease. CONCLUSION Emotional and psychosocial support together with appropriate treatment protocols should be considered for cancer patients. A radiation oncologist must be aware of the patient's expectations and behave accordingly. Thus, the treatment and psychosocial status of the patient will be improved. © 2011 Association of Oncology.