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Treatment by a public health care institution: from the perspective of the families of cancer patients

This study aimed to analyze how the families of cancer patients perceived the treatment provided at a specialist public outpatient clinic, using Bardin's method of Content Analysis. Seven families consisting of fourteen family members were interviewed. They underlined doctor-patient relationship, judging it to be impersonal and superficial, resulting in a lack of security and trust. Families try to to participate but feel undervalued and excluded from the care. Necessary information that they are not given is sought in the media, while comfort is achieved through religious or spiritual practices. Health care training must encourage professionals to view the family as a unit of care, aligning training to different modes of health care.

Health Personnel; neoplasms; family


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