An exploration of psychotherapists’ experiences in medically driven cancer care settings

Abstract

Aim This study explored psychotherapists’ experiences of medical language used in cancer care settings and the implications for counselling clients in medically driven cancer settings. Method Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with five psychotherapists. Data were collected using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings Participants found medical language difficult to understand when communicating with health professionals within multidisciplinary teams (MDT). They also considered focusing on clients’ experiences and saw the therapeutic relationship as more relevant than having knowledge of medical language. Conclusions/Implications Knowledge of medical language was found helpful when communicating with health professionals in MDT but was also a potential distraction from clients’ narratives, interfering with the therapeutic alliance. The question as to what extent, if at all, psychological therapists fit into the medical model, or the extent to which language and discourses of power within medical settings can impact on the clients–doctors–therapists’ relationship, remains open.

Psychological therapists’ experiences of occupational stress and team environment in oncology settings

“…The current study also revealed that an approach to health care embedded in the medical model often affects communication between the therapists and other health professionals and between clinicians and patients. Issues arising from power dynamics experienced by psychotherapists in medically driven oncology settings were discussed in previous research (Reitano, 2017). The current study contributed to the finding that working within a medical model often encouraged unhealthy competition and unconstructive criticism within oncology teams and therefore led to tension, miscommunication, increased occupational stress and a lack of team cohesion.…”