As gender is socially constructed, gender a ttitudes, expressions, expectations and identities may differ based on their sociocultural contexts. This project sought to understand interactions between gender and culture through the experiences of three undergraduate study abroad students who are tra ns and/or gender expansive. Utilizing the thematic analysis method, data from a focus group and individual follow up interviews were analyzed ; seven themes emerged from the data collected. As study abroad has become an increasingly normalized aspect of the American undergraduate experience, institutions must consider the ways study abroad may uniquely affect certain student populations. This project explored some of the unique joys (community building, self exploration, cultural insights) and hardships (ge nder policing, isolation, sexual violence) of study abroad for trans and gender expansive students, identified areas for further research and suggested specific methods through which institutions can provide support to these students.
Cancer centers have adopted a holistic approach to cancer treatment to better meet the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors. However, the current number of psychosocial providers in oncology is inadequate to meet the growing demand and psychosocial providers may face barriers in accessing oncology-specific training. The current study aims to explore the career development of psychologists working in oncology to inform training and workplace supports, as well as to inform training for health psychologists interested in other sub-specialties. Interviews were conducted with 20 psychologists with oncology work experience. Data were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method. Results indicated three primary domains: (a) factors influencing entry into the field, (b) factors influencing ongoing career decision-making, and (c) factors influencing success in psychosocial oncology. The complexities of these domains are discussed; suggestions for supporting psychologists interested in psychosocial oncology at individual as well as systemic levels are provided.
Objective: Many who choose to work in oncology manage an ongoing tension-the work is rewarding, yet simultaneously challenging. Given the need for psychosocial professionals to provide treatment for the increasing number of cancer survivors in our aging society, it is important to consider what helps and hinders professionals in their work. Therefore, this study sought to understand the work experiences of psychologists working in psycho-oncology, specifically clarifying the rewards and challenges they experience as a result of their occupation. Methods: Twenty psychologists with oncology work experience in the United States completed semi-structured interviews; data were analyzed using the Consensual Qualitative Research method. Results: In this paper, findings are presented for two of the domains that emerged from the data. In the domain of Sustaining Factors and Rewards, six themes were identified: (a) making a difference, (b) personal impact of the work on psychologists' lives and personal enrichment, (c) sense of purpose and fit with the work, (d) important relationships, (e) unique aspects of psycho-oncology, and (f) benefits derived from the workplace. In the domain of Challenges, five themes were identified: (a) job-related challenges, (b) emotional intensity, (c) financial challenges, (d) ambiguity in professional roles and psycho-oncology, and (e) ethical dilemmas. Conclusion: Psychologists employed in psycho-oncology found great meaning and purpose in their jobs, but also struggled with challenges related to the work and their workplaces. These findings can lead to better training, supervision, retention initiatives, and administrative policies to support productive employees. K E Y W O R D S cancer, career development, consensual qualitative research, oncology, psychologists, psychooncology, self-care, training 1 | BACKGROUND Charles Dickens' quote, 1 "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…," is an appropriate description for working in psycho-oncology. Many who choose to work with cancer survivors face an ongoing tension-anecdotally, the work is rewarding, yet simultaneously challenging; there is light, darkness, hope,
Given the prevalence and distress associated with a cancer diagnosis, the training of psycho-oncology providers to meet the mental health needs of cancer survivors warrants investigation. Clinical supervision is a key teaching strategy for psychology trainees, particularly during a postdoctoral fellowship when trainees are gaining specialized training and making important career decisions. This qualitative study examined how postdoctoral fellows in psycho-oncology used clinical supervision and the supervisory relationship for their personal and professional development. Interviews were conducted with 10 postdoctoral trainees in the United States; data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methodology. Five themes emerged from the data: supervisees’ learning experiences in supervision, foundations and features of support derived from supervision, ethical and social issues, unmet needs in current supervision, and strategies to enhance future supervision. Supervision was a space to learn about leadership and supervisory skills, professional identity, career preferences, multidisciplinary teamwork, knowledge about cancer, emotional responses, self-care practices, ethical dilemmas, social and cultural issues, and power dynamics. Participants also shared needs that were not met in supervision, which included both missed content (e.g., professional development issues and clinical concerns) and constraints of the supervisory relationship. Drawing on the study findings, recommendations are made to enhance the supervisory relationship for both trainees and supervisors in psycho-oncology and to ensure clinicians can thrive while competently and compassionately working with cancer survivors.
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