Caring for the caregiver in oncology and palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
To review the stressors and manifestations of stress present in oncology and palliative care settings and elucidate successful coping strategies.


METHODS
Review articles and research reports.


CONCLUSIONS
Professional care of advanced cancer patients and their families confronts nurses with a variety of challenges and stressors. Multiple strategies have been described in the literature to assist professionals to cope with stressful aspects of clinical practice. Research is needed to test the efficacy of these strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal coping strategies and the development of supportive collaborative relationships within the work environment are essential to the enhancement of self-esteem and professional effectiveness.
Vachon
M L
ML
Sunnybrook Health Science Center/Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing*