Emotional meanings of clinical practice with head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study with Brazilian professionals

OBJECTIVE: To interpret emotional meanings attributed by healthcare professionals to the clinical management of patients with head and neck cancer, in a university-specialised outpatient service at a public general hospital. METHOD: A qualitative study was carried out using semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions in-depth. The sample was closed by the saturation strategy. Data treatment was conducted by Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis technique under theoretical framework of psychodynamic concepts from Medical Psychology, and validation by peers from a research group. RESULTS: Ten clinical professionals were interviewed: six nurses and four physicians. From the analysis of the interviews, three categories are constructed for this article: (1) An instituted stigmatization; (2) Wide-open reality; (3) Naturalization without trivialization. The aggressiveness of these tumours, the association with harmful lifestyle habits, and the great concern of family members call for clinical-psychological management to mitigate emotional distress, to handle possible guilt, and prevent any burnout, improving a better adherence to treatment and harmonious interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION: The stigma is a symbolic entity that takes distress for the clinicians but also seems to highlight a higher level of awareness and reflection. This awareness can be a starting point for the development of healthier strategies for emotional coping, contributing to a more balanced work and personal harmonic relationship of care.