Professional Roles in Danish Clinics for General Late Effects After Cancer-A Qualitative Study.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Management
• Psychology

Background:

• Late effect clinics (LECs) are emerging to manage long-term consequences of cancer treatment.
• Understanding healthcare professionals' experiences in these specialized clinics is crucial for optimizing survivorship care.
• A psychodynamic perspective offers insights into interdisciplinary collaboration within LECs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore healthcare professionals' experiences working in Danish LECs.
• To understand how professionals from different disciplines navigate roles and collaborate in survivorship care.
• To identify challenges and opportunities within the LEC setting from a psychodynamic viewpoint.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative approach utilizing three virtual focus groups.
• Participants included nurses, physicians, and psychologists (n=15) working in five Danish LECs.
• Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: transformation towards person-centered care, therapeutic space as a precondition, redefined professional boundaries, and challenges from traditional hospital structures.
• Professionals recognized the need for a bio-psychosocial, person-centered approach for patients and caregivers with late effects.
• While willing to expand professional boundaries, participants faced systemic hierarchies and continuous needs for competency and team development.

Conclusions:

• Danish LEC professionals highlight the necessity of a therapeutic space and person-centered approach for effective survivorship care.
• Traditional hospital hierarchies present significant challenges to evolving professional roles and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Empowering healthcare professionals, adapting roles, and enhancing team development are vital for improving care for cancer survivors with late effects.