What effect does treating cancer patients have on radiation therapy students' identity development?

Abstract

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.

New Zealand radiation therapists’ perceptions of peer group supervision as a tool to reduce burnout symptoms in the clinical setting

“…This is to be expected as RTs with less working experience are often less confident in managing patient care at the start of their career and grow in confidence along their career pathway. 3,7,20 For this reason, PGS has been introduced into the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT) programme at the University of Otago, Wellington campus, so that students will be familiar with the process when entering the workforce. Research into the effectiveness of PGS for students will be carried out over the next five years.…”

Prior cancer‐death events: what impact does this have on radiation therapy students?

“…A qualitative survey was undertaken in 2004 to explore the effect of treating cancer patients on identity development of radiation therapy students in New Zealand. 1 An incidental finding from this study was the significant number of participants who had had a previous cancer-death experience. Sixteen of the 21 students aged 19 to 27 years had had a cancer-death event of a family member or close friend, prior to entry into the radiation therapy programme.…”

“…In New Zealand radiation therapists are not offered the counselling and supervision that is available to counsellors and some other health care workers who work with cancer patients. 1 Clinical or counselling supervision 3,21 is a regular meeting with another professional, who has training in the skills of supervision, to discuss casework and other professional issues in a structured way. The purpose is to assist the practitioner to learn from his or her experience and to progress in expertise, as well as to ensure good service to the client or patient.…”

“…The data set was originally the focus of a descriptive qualitative case study of the effects that treating cancer patients have on radiation therapy students' identity development in New Zealand. 1 Ethical consent for the study was granted by Victoria University of Wellington (for the researcher) and University of Otago, Wellington (for access to the participants) in March 2004. Participants recruited to the study gave informed consent to participate in the study and for the data to be used in subsequent publications and the study processes conformed to the ethical standards associated with the approval.…”