Tsipa, Anastasia Isavella; (2022) Healthcare Professionals' Experiences of Endings in Paediatric Cancer Treatment: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Completing cancer treatment is a time of high stress and overwhelming concerns for childhood cancer survivors and their families. Empirical data suggests that during the end-of-treatment period, families are in need of specialist follow-up care and clearer direction around navigating the complexities of the post-treatment period. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in patients’ wellbeing and clinical outcomes across all stages of the cancer pathway - including the end-of-treatment stage - and yet, research documenting HCPs’ perspectives around endings in active treatment is almost non-existent, resulting in the experiences and needs of staff remaining poorly understood. The primary aim of this research is to qualitatively explore the end-of-treatment experience from the perspective of HCPs caring for paediatric cancer patients. Part One is a qualitative meta-synthesis of findings from 12 qualitative studies exploring HCPs’ experiences of providing care to paediatric cancer patients in the UK. Part Two is an empirical paper reporting the findings from a qualitative study, underpinned by the methodological principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The present study was part of a joint project exploring endings in paediatric cancer treatment from the perspective of paediatric cancer patients, their parents/carers and HCPs providing care to this population. This research was separate from the studies exploring patients and parents’/carers’ views and specifically explored the experiences and perspectives of HCPs working in a paediatric hematology and oncology tertiary care centre in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven HCPs from a range of professional groups. Findings are discussed in relation to previous literature, whilst the unique contributions of the present research are also highlighted. Implications and suggestions for further research are noted. Part Three represents a critical reflection on the project. This part considers the potential impact of the author’s previous academic and professional experiences on the present thesis and outlines the steps that were taken towards maintaining reflexivity throughout the research process. The author further discusses some contextual challenges that were encountered during the research process and how these were experienced and managed.

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