Communicative challenges among physicians, patients, and family caregivers in cancer care: An exploratory qualitative study in Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230309
• Publication Date: 2020-03-13T17:36:17Z
• Authors: Bethlehem Girma K...; Aynalem Abraha; Rune Andersson; Christian Munthe; Mats Linderholm; Barbro Linderholm; Nataliya Berbyuk ...
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Exploratory research

Cancer is a growing concern in Ethiopia. Though communication essential for the treatment process, few studies have looked at Ethiopian cancer care. Due to large number of patients and scarcity resources, it vital understand how manage consultations order effectively help as many possible this challenging work environment. Thus, research needed analyze communicative challenges experienced by physicians, patients, family caregivers, successfully handle patient care practice.We explore present main faced caregivers.This explorative qualitative study was conducted Oncology Department Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Teaching Hospital (TASH) Addis Ababa, A triangulation data collection methods used: 91 audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews 21 video-recordings authentic interactions during hospital rounds. The aim obtain complete picture from perspectives caregivers. were analyzed using thematic content analysis identified themes supported excerpts transcribed recordings.Eight emerged data. Workload time pressure, combination with restricted space privacy, limited possibilities physicians deliver detailed information provide emotional support. Furthermore, literacy levels, no or little awareness, financial problems, reliance on traditional religious treatments, stigma cancer, fatalistic attitude, resulted delays seeking participating positive health behaviors, and, subsequently, often an unwillingness openly discuss problems adhere treatment. also illustrates paramount role physician-patient caregivers valuable interpreting support when language skills, they can prevent sharing physicians. Another important finding that responsible making decisions about avoided telling poor prognosis, believing conveying bad news may upset them. All these implications ethically acceptable patient-centered care.This has serious successful contributes our understanding complexity around family, combined patients' dependency members communication, support, access care, which creates particular ethical dilemmas medical staff. questions raised organize achieve while maintaining constructive alliance not jeopardizing patient's continued integration training students Ethiopia, focus guidelines family-centered consultation suitable circumstances, would be step.