title: Psychosocial aspects of oncology: challenges and problems of research in a radiotherapy center of a community hospital.
abstract: This paper describes the vicissitudes of psychosocial research in a radiotherapy center. The project described evaluates the efficacy of counseling techniques in patients with early stage breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. The problems involved are discussed. They include the effects of: 1) introducing a psychosocial program into a medical setting; 2) research, specifically psychological, on staff and treatment in a nonresearch center; 3) asking patients to participate in a project the relevance of which is not immediately apparent; and 4) working under such conditions on the research itself. Conclusions and recommendations derived from this experience are made.
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012106:Research