| Popis: |
Background: Recurrent head and neck cancer (rHNC) still carries a poor prognosis. There is no generally accepted standard treatment protocol for this condition, and most patients succumb to the disease after 18 months. What often goes unexamined is the “personal listening language” (PLL) and emotional background of these patients, which favors addictive alcohol and tobacco behavior and is strongly correlated to a broad range of psychosocial problems that become exacerbated over time. Objective: The study aimed to describe the PLL of patients with head and neck cancer. To that end, we conducted a retrospective study of data collected through an open-ended questionnaire applied individually to each patient who freely wanted to participate. This study aimed to better study the patients’ emotional state, insofar as the “emotion” for these patients is the feeling of fear of dying, of helplessness, guilt that generates internal and external disorganization in the patient’s life, causing depression, despair and distress for many. That accounts for the search for their Personal Listening language, which is the expression of their uniqueness and peculiar way to understand their existence, that is, an existential semantics of the individual patient. Justification for using the PLL: This PLL was important because it allowed patients to speak with a professional psychologist who heard and listened to them in their mental and physical pain, involving fear, loneliness, guilt, and to express their anguish and suffering. “Emotion” for these patients is the feeling of fear of dying, of helplessness, a guilt, which generates internal and external disorganization in the patient’s life, causing depression, despair and grief to many. The patient who suffers, who is in distress and upset by his/her situation needs medical and psychological assistance, a holistic treatment. The psychological support through the LPP in patients with head and neck cancer allows them to overcome emotional issues and have serenity vis-a-vis the illness. Methodology: This study started in July 2009 and finished in December 2010. 124 patients were treated during a total of 191 sessions of psychological support. This doctorate student from the university was available two afternoons a week at the clinic on a voluntary basis for patients who wanted this service. An open-ended questionnaire was given to the each patient, which allowed the consented participation of patients in the care during our meeting. The responses, which shall be kept for three years, were recorded and included their personal data, the hospital’s HR and the number of care. Patients answered openly and felt welcomed and grateful for the benefits they experienced, which allowed them to better cope with their situation and have a professional who heard them in their emotional and psychological distress. Responses were grouped and written down. |
