Styles of coping with stress of cancer in patients treated with radiotherapy and expectations towards medical staff – Practical implications

Abstract

Background

It is essential to adjust oncological treatment to medical procedures but also to the expectations of patients themselves. Expectations of patients may depend on the way of coping with the stress of cancer. Many researchers have dealt with this issue. However, it is difficult to find studies concerning relations between the styles of coping and expectations of patients towards medical staff.

Aim

To demonstrate the relationship between the style of coping with stress of cancer shown by patients undergoing radiotherapy at the Greater Poland Cancer Centre and the nature of their expectations towards the medical staff, and to present work of the Clinical Psychology Unit in response to the expectations of patients.

Materials and methods

Questionnaire survey. The respondents filled in a questionnaire consisting of a patient request form (PRF), the mini-mental adjustment to cancer scale (Mini-MAC), and personal data. Obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results

Significant associations: the expectation to have the disease explained is associated with anxious preoccupation, fighting spirit, helplessness–hopelessness; the expectation of emotional support is associated with anxious preoccupation and helplessness–hopelessness; and the expectation of information on examinations and treatment is associated with anxious preoccupation and helplessness–hopelessness.

Conclusions

Expectations of patients undergoing radiotherapy in the Greater Poland Cancer Centre towards the medical staff depend on their styles of coping with the stress of cancer.