The power of writing: Impact of writing for health professionals working with oncology patients.

Abstract

e23002 Background: Healthcare professionals are subject to stressful events, especially in areas such as oncology or palliative care. Writing is a valuable tool for dealing with stress, increasing empathy and job satisfaction. Narratives have therapeutic potential and can provide useful information for diagnosis and individualized strategies. Expressive Writing and Narrative Medicine have been studied in this field, resulting in physical and psychological benefits to health professionals, and can be a medical-educational tool. The practice of writing can promote healthier relationships between patients, professionals, and oneself. However, little is known about the perception that health professionals have about writing as a habit. These data can help to develop strategies for stimulating practice in universities, contributing to better professionals mental health. Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated through social networks of the authors and professional associations inviting health professionals who deal with cancer patients and have the habit of writing to answer the questions, voluntarily and anonymously. The questionnaire was composed by 13 multiple choice questions and 1 free choice question, divided into 3 categories: 3 related to personal and professional data, 5 to the habit of writing and 5 to the impact that the habit of writing has on their lives. The data were analyzed descriptively, based on the results provided by the platform itself. Results: 177 responses to the form were obtained. Most participants were over 40 years old (53.9%). Eighty-seven participants were physicians (49.4%), 41 psychologists (23.3%), and 27.3% worked in other health fields. The majority (32.1%) declared they write sporadically when they feel the need. Only 17.8% wrote daily. Thirty-two percent write mainly short texts (blogs or social networks); 16.9% write mainly narratives. Most participants have been writing for more than ten years (63.2%). Using writing as a tool for self-knowledge was the main reason to start writing for 19.8%, and improving the ability to understand what is happening to other people for 18.7%. The themes of the texts were personal experiences (21.1%), personal feelings (19.4%), technical issues (14.8%), the process of getting sick (6.2%), or other topics (28.5%). Most reported that writing provides them with serenity (24.4%), comfort (23.8%), pride (19.3%), relief (13.6%), or other. Participants reported that the impact of writing on their lives is essential (32%), very positive (30.9%), or positive (33.7%), and the majority (48.8%) reported that the impact is both immediate and long-term. Conclusions: The personal perception about the impact of writing is extremely positive among healthcare professionals, suggesting that the practice should be stimulated during professional training and considered as a useful tool for the promotion of mental health.