Emotional meanings of clinical practice with head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study with Brazilian professionals.
4 affiliations
- 1Laboratory of Clinical-Qualitative Research, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
- 2Laboratory of Clinical-Qualitative Research, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
- 3Laboratory of Clinical-Qualitative Research, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Odontology, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
- 4Clinical Oncology Service, Department of Anesthesiology, Oncology, and Radiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].
Abstract
Objective
To interpret emotional meanings attributed by healthcare professionals to the clinical management of patients with head and neck cancer, in a university-specialised outpatient service at a public general hospital.Method
A qualitative study was carried out using semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions in-depth. The sample was closed by the saturation strategy. Data treatment was conducted by Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis technique under theoretical framework of psychodynamic concepts from Medical Psychology, and validation by peers from a research group.Results
Ten clinical professionals were interviewed: six nurses and four physicians. From the analysis of the interviews, three categories are constructed for this article: (1) An instituted stigmatization; (2) Wide-open reality; (3) Naturalization without trivialization. The aggressiveness of these tumours, the association with harmful lifestyle habits, and the great concern of family members call for clinical-psychological management to mitigate emotional distress, to handle possible guilt, and prevent any burnout, improving a better adherence to treatment and harmonious interpersonal relationships.Conclusion
The stigma is a symbolic entity that takes distress for the clinicians but also seems to highlight a higher level of awareness and reflection. This awareness can be a starting point for the development of healthier strategies for emotional coping, contributing to a more balanced work and personal harmonic relationship of care.Level of evidence: 5
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BibTeX
@article{bispo2026emotional,
title = {{Emotional meanings of clinical practice with head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study with Brazilian professionals.}},
author = {Adriana Consuelo Oliveira Bispo and Rodrigo Almeida Bastos and Ricardo Souza Evangelista Sant'Ana and Sarah Adriely da Silva and Milena Rossi Suedt and Jéssica Renata Ponce-de-Leon and Claudiane Graças Dos Santos and Luciane Miranda Guerra and Carmen Silvia Passos Lima and Egberto Ribeiro Turato},
journal = {Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.bjorl.2026.101923},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42874298},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Emotional meanings of clinical practice with head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study with Brazilian professionals.
AU - Adriana Consuelo Oliveira Bispo
AU - Rodrigo Almeida Bastos
AU - Ricardo Souza Evangelista Sant'Ana
AU - Sarah Adriely da Silva
AU - Milena Rossi Suedt
AU - Jéssica Renata Ponce-de-Leon
AU - Claudiane Graças Dos Santos
AU - Luciane Miranda Guerra
AU - Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
AU - Egberto Ribeiro Turato
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology
DO - 10.1016/j.bjorl.2026.101923
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42874298
AB - Objective To interpret emotional meanings attributed by healthcare professionals to the clinical management of patients with head and neck cancer, in a university-specialised outpatient service at a public general hospital.Method A qualitative study was carried out using semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions in-depth. The sample was closed by the saturation strategy. Data treatment was conducted by Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis technique under theoretical framework of psychodynamic concepts from Medical Psychology, and validation by peers from a research group.Results Ten clinical professionals were interviewed: six nurses and four physicians. From the analysis of the interviews, three categories are constructed for this article: (1) An instituted stigmatization; (2) Wide-open reality; (3) Naturalization without trivialization. The aggressiveness of these tumours, the association with harmful lifestyle habits, and the great concern of family members call for clinical-psychological management to mitigate emotional distress, to handle possible guilt, and prevent any burnout, improving a better adherence to treatment and harmonious interpersonal relationships.Conclusion The stigma is a symbolic entity that takes distress for the clinicians but also seems to highlight a higher level of awareness and reflection. This awareness can be a starting point for the development of healthier strategies for emotional coping, contributing to a more balanced work and personal harmonic relationship of care.Level of evidence: 5
SN - 1808-8694
SN - 1808-8686
ER -