Between Clinic and Cradle: Parenting Perspectives from Paediatric-Oncologists

ABSTRACTThe study investigates the parenting experience of three paediatric oncologists raising their children in a supportive home environment and treating children with cancer professionally. The analysis uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (I.P.A.) to identify Five Superordinate Themes : Emotional regulation and coping in high-stress professional roles; Blurring, enmeshment, and compartmentalization of personal and professional boundaries; Relational strain and disrupted attachment in professional contexts; Professional identity, values and commitment; Ethical complexity and emotional conflict in clinical practice and Thirteen Sub-ordinate Themes : Emotion suppression and introjected tough-mindedness as part of coping; Emotional toll arising from profession and coping without systemic support; Managing empathy without losing objectivity; Emotional impact of profession; Blurriness in personal & professional life; Compartmentalization of personal and professional life; Enmeshed boundary between professional learning and parenthood; Emotional attachment and parental empathy influencing professional boundaries; Ruptured attachment formation; Professional demands & hazards; Priority, skills, interests and commitment towards profession; Societal expectation and cultural differences adding to professional stress; Medical decision-making and ethical complexity and associated emotional dilemmas. The findings have been discussed in terms of Quality of life, psychological well-being of the healthcare professional and Apprehension about the well-being of their offspring.