TY - JOUR

T1 - Experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care

T2 - A qualitative study

AU - Cramond, Laura

AU - Fletcher, Ian

AU - Rehan, Claire

N1 - This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cramond, L, Fletcher, I, Rehan, C. Experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care: A qualitative study. Eur J Cancer Care. 2020; 00:e13220. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13220 which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ecc.13220 This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.

PY - 2020/5/1

Y1 - 2020/5/1

N2 - BackgroundCompassion fatigue refers to the emotional and physical exhaustion felt by professionals in caring roles, whereas compassion satisfaction encompasses the positive aspects of helping others. Levels of compassion satisfaction and fatigue have been found to be inconsistent in palliative care professionals, which could have serious implications for patients, professionals and organisations.ObjectivesThis study explored the experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care, all worked with adults with cancer, to gain an understanding of the impact this work has on their self and how they manage this.MethodsA qualitative approach was taken, using semi‐structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis.ResultsThree superordinate themes were identified: commitment, existential impact on the self and the oracle. The participants' experiences were characterised by the relationship between themselves and their patients, the influence of working in palliative services on their world view and the impact of organisational changes. Differences between working as a clinical psychologist in palliative care versus non‐palliative settings were considered.ConclusionsProfessionals working in palliative care should be supported to reflect on their experiences of compassion and resilience, and services should provide resources that facilitate staff to practice positive self‐care to maintain their well‐being.

AB - BackgroundCompassion fatigue refers to the emotional and physical exhaustion felt by professionals in caring roles, whereas compassion satisfaction encompasses the positive aspects of helping others. Levels of compassion satisfaction and fatigue have been found to be inconsistent in palliative care professionals, which could have serious implications for patients, professionals and organisations.ObjectivesThis study explored the experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care, all worked with adults with cancer, to gain an understanding of the impact this work has on their self and how they manage this.MethodsA qualitative approach was taken, using semi‐structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis.ResultsThree superordinate themes were identified: commitment, existential impact on the self and the oracle. The participants' experiences were characterised by the relationship between themselves and their patients, the influence of working in palliative services on their world view and the impact of organisational changes. Differences between working as a clinical psychologist in palliative care versus non‐palliative settings were considered.ConclusionsProfessionals working in palliative care should be supported to reflect on their experiences of compassion and resilience, and services should provide resources that facilitate staff to practice positive self‐care to maintain their well‐being.

KW - compassion

KW - palliative care

KW - psychologists

KW - qualitative

U2 - 10.1111/ecc.13220

DO - 10.1111/ecc.13220

M3 - Journal article

VL - 29

JO - European Journal of Cancer Care

JF - European Journal of Cancer Care

SN - 0961-5423

IS - 3

M1 - e13220

ER -