Perspectives of health professionals on the psychosocial impact of an altered appearance among adolescents treated for cancer and how to improve appearance-related care

Williamson, Heidi; Rumsey, Nichola

Abstract

© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. An altered appearance can impact the psychosocial well-being of adolescent cancer patients, yet patient reports imply a dearth of appearance-related support. Using a two-phase qualitatively driven mixed method design, 62 health professionals from a range of UK oncology care settings provided data relating to their views on the impact of appearance changes on adolescent patients (aged 12–18 years), of delivering appearance-related care, and their training needs. Integrated findings were divided into two main outcomes. The first comprises health professionals' perceptions of the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of appearance-related distress in their patients and their experiences of interventions that prevent or ameliorate appearance concern. The second illustrates personal barriers (among health professionals, adolescents, and parents) and organizational barriers that inhibit the delivery of appearance-related support, together with suggestions about how these may be overcome. The needs of patients are extensive and varied, but due to the barriers identified can be poorly addressed. Nonetheless, some practitioners are utilizing a variety of interventions supported by theory and/or evidence of their success in other clinical areas. Recommendations are made for the content, design, and coordination of interventions for adolescents and for the content of education programs to meet the training needs identified by participants.

Citation

Williamson, H., & Rumsey, N. (2017). Perspectives of health professionals on the psychosocial impact of an altered appearance among adolescents treated for cancer and how to improve appearance-related care. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 35(1), 47-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2016.1247407

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 26, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Oct 13, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 2, 2017
• Deposit Date: Apr 26, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 13, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
• Print ISSN: 0734-7332
• Electronic ISSN: 1540-7586
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 47-60
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2016.1247407
• Keywords: appearance, oncology, adolescent, health professional, visible difference
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/900975
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2016.1247407
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Psychosocial Oncology on 13 October 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/07347332.2016.1247407