The role of conversation in coping with the psychosocial situation of dealing with cancer

Abstract

Objective: In this Scoping study, the purpose is to examine and describe what the research literature reports on the use of professional conversation as a tool for helping people with cancer cope with the psychosocial situation. The cancer patient may experience several side effects and symptoms related to treatment and illness, and may have a need for more support through professional conversation.

Methods: Scoping study with searches in the following databases: PubMed, Cinahl, Psyclfo, Academic Search premier, Cochrane and Ovid.

Results: Twenty-nine studies were examined in the initial search, and twenty-four of them were included. Six examined the cancer patient's needs for conversation, thirteen nurses’ qualifications, and five whether conversation provides support. One factor that clearly emerges from the findings of several of the studies is that many nurses experience communication barriers in their encounters with cancer patients.

Conclusions: The findings indicated a strong need for conversation. One surprising finding was the communication barriers experienced by nurses/health care professionals.