Department of Psychology, Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Psychooncology. 2020 Oct;29(10):1564-1570. doi: 10.1002/pon.5455. Epub 2020 Aug 16.
Many who choose to work in oncology manage an ongoing tension-the work is rewarding, yet simultaneously challenging. Given the need for psychosocial professionals to provide treatment for the increasing number of cancer survivors in our aging society, it is important to consider what helps and hinders professionals in their work. Therefore, this study sought to understand the work experiences of psychologists working in psycho-oncology, specifically clarifying the rewards and challenges they experience as a result of their occupation.
Twenty psychologists with oncology work experience in the United States completed semi-structured interviews; data were analyzed using the Consensual Qualitative Research method.
In this paper, findings are presented for two of the domains that emerged from the data. In the domain of Sustaining Factors and Rewards, six themes were identified: (a) making a difference, (b) personal impact of the work on psychologists' lives and personal enrichment, (c) sense of purpose and fit with the work, (d) important relationships, (e) unique aspects of psycho-oncology, and (f) benefits derived from the workplace. In the domain of Challenges, five themes were identified: (a) job-related challenges, (b) emotional intensity, (c) financial challenges, (d) ambiguity in professional roles and psycho-oncology, and (e) ethical dilemmas.
Psychologists employed in psycho-oncology found great meaning and purpose in their jobs, but also struggled with challenges related to the work and their workplaces. These findings can lead to better training, supervision, retention initiatives, and administrative policies to support productive employees.
许多选择从事肿瘤学工作的人都面临着一种持续的紧张感——工作既有回报，同时又具有挑战性。鉴于我们老龄化社会中需要心理社会专业人员为越来越多的癌症幸存者提供治疗，因此了解哪些因素有助于和阻碍专业人员的工作非常重要。因此，本研究旨在了解从事心理肿瘤学工作的心理学家的工作经验，特别是明确他们因职业而经历的回报和挑战。
在美国有肿瘤学工作经验的 20 名心理学家完成了半结构化访谈；使用共识定性研究方法对数据进行分析。
本文呈现了数据中出现的两个领域的结果。在维持因素和回报领域，确定了六个主题：（a）产生影响，（b）工作对心理学家生活和个人充实的个人影响，（c）目的感和与工作的契合度，（d）重要关系，（e）心理肿瘤学的独特方面，以及（f）从工作场所获得的好处。在挑战领域，确定了五个主题：（a）与工作相关的挑战，（b）情绪强度，（c）经济挑战，（d）专业角色和心理肿瘤学中的模糊性，以及（e）伦理困境。
从事心理肿瘤学工作的心理学家在工作中找到了很大的意义和目的，但也在与工作和工作场所相关的挑战中挣扎。这些发现可以为更好的培训、监督、保留计划和行政政策提供支持，以支持有生产力的员工。
