Idealism and realism in patient care during radiotherapy treatment

Previous research has demonstrated that typification of patients by health workers is inevitable even when these workers aspire to a concept of treating each patient as an individual. This study aimed to establish how six therapy radiographers, working in three different settings, typified their cancer patients and how this related to their concept of role and the environment in which they worked. The techniques used were ethnographic, non-directive interview techniques and naturalistic observation. There are interesting variations and similarities in how the individuals perceived their working role and environment and in their perception of patients. The typifications of patients by the therapy radiographers studied are related to and reflect the radiographers' concerns or stresses. They relate to the issues of information giving and receiving, control of the radiographer-patient relationship, how to cope with patient dependency and how this interacts with their own ideals and impression management. Some also reflect the problems experienced in working relationships, in particular balancing their own ideals with the reality of their working situation.