This paper describes the working of an oncology nurses coping group which functioned under the guidance of a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at the Toronto General Hospital. Nurses were helped to deal more effectively with the many and varied stresses which they face in treating patients with cancer. As a result ward atmosphere, patient care and inter-staff communication improved. The success of the group was due to a number of factors that included the high motivation of the staff the high level of stress on the ward, the support of the head nurse and the consistent relationship of the consulting psychiatrist.
A series of cases are presented to illustrate these points.
References
1.
CraigT.J.Psychiatric consultation to the non-physician staff of an outpatient oncology clinic.Psychiatry in Medicine1973; 4, (3): 291–300.
2.
HintonJ.The Cancer Ward.Adv Psychosom Med1980; 10: 78–98.
3.
KlagsburnS.C.Cancer, emotions and nurses.Am J Psychiatry1970; 126: 1237–44.
4.
HertzbergL.J.Cancer and the dying patient.Am J Psychiatry1972; 128: 40–4.
5.
BeszterczeyA.Staff stress on a newly developed palliative care service.Can Psychiatr Assoc J1977; 22: 347–53.
6.
WellischD.K., MosherM.D., Van SooyC.Management of family emotional stress: family group therapy in a private oncology practice.Int J Group Psychother1978; 28: 225–31.
