A Qualitative Study on Clinicians’ Perspectives on the Mental Health Needs of People with Cancer inTikurAnbessa Specialized Referral Hospital, Oncology Follow-Up Clinic, In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2018-11
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Significant numbers of people with cancer develop mental health problems at
different stages of the disease.Psychological/psychiatric treatment is part of palliative care that
is given to people with cancer to make them be able to deal with their problem individually
and as a family. The Oncology unit atTASRHis known to be the only cancer referral center in
the country. Published data done in Ethiopia were not found on how health care professionals
in the oncology units understandassess or address mental health needs of people with cancer
and the obstacles they encounter.
Objective: This study aims to explore the clinicians‟ perspective of mental health needs of
people with advanced cancer and the strategies clinicians use to assess and address those
needs in TASRHOncology follow-up clinic.
Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed and participants were
selected purposively based on years of experience. Data was collected, transcribed in
Amharic, translated to English and then analyzed through thematic analysis. The study was
conducted at TASRH, October 2018.
Results: Majority of the participants reported to notice some mental health problems in
patients with cancer but have some difficulty to identify symptoms and provide first line
treatments. All participants stated that it is advantageous for patients to know about their
illness. Participants also suggest the disadvantages patients from knowing about their illness
is mainly due to the ways of information delivery. The increased number of patients visiting
the clinic on daily basis was a major obstacle.
Conclusion:Timely and accurate diagnosis of co morbid mental disorders and addressing
psychosocial factors is required to increase quality of life of people with cancer.
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Keywords
Mental Health,Cancer