The aim of this research was to determine what effect treating cancer patients has on the ability of radiation therapy students to develop their own identity. It is important that radiation therapists have a sense of self so they can enter fully into relationships with patients and other health professionals, and develop sound coping mechanisms to face the challenges of the clinical environment. This research was conducted utilising a qualitative case study approach, with a class of 30 Year Two young adult radiation therapy students. Twenty‐one of the 30 students completed an open‐ended questionnaire. The research findings show that this cohort of radiation therapy students is developing a new set of values, beliefs and goals, partially as a result of their interactions with cancer patients. Four main themes were identified: concern for family and friends, emotional aspects of treating cancer patients, the feeling of a sense of pride in their profession and a development of a greater awareness of themselves as individuals. Using the criteria of identity developed by James Marcia, some students expressed a strong sense of who they are as an individual with a sense of identity. However, for others, the clinical experience has caused them to actively struggle for a sense of who they are as a person as they searched for ways to cope. This research suggests that strategies such as counselling, supervision or mentorship could be useful for radiation therapy students so they can explore their feelings and be able to implement appropriate coping mechanisms.
Purpose: In 2004, a study was undertaken to determine whether treating cancer patients affected the identity development of radiation therapy students in New Zealand. Initial data analysis revealed many students had experienced significant cancer-death events, such as family members or friends dying prior to entering the course. Methods: A further thematic analysis was undertaken of the transcript data to determine the effects of having a prior cancer-death event on students' attitudes and perceptions of death. Results: Sixteen of the 21 students indicated that they had experienced a cancer-death event before entering the course. Four main themes evolved from the analysis of the student transcripts. The themes were: impact of having a prior cancer-death event; parent relationships; compassion; and a reported feeling that their lives are meaningful. Students reported the impact of the prior death-event on their professional choice and other aspects of their lives. Conclusion: Previous research found that young adults tended not to want to talk to their parents about death. In this study students openly discussed with parents issues relating to previous cancer-death events and dying patients. Both female and male students in this cohort demonstrated high levels of compassion. They expressed increased feelings of empathy with family and friends facing life-threatening illnesses of others although not necessarily if minor illness was involved. Students also reported that their life was made more meaningful by their past experience with a cancer-death. Further research will aim to explore whether a prior death-related event influences a range of tertiary students with respect to their attitude to life, their relationships with other people and their career choices.
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