title: "A small cog in a large wheel": an exploratory study into the experiences of porters, ward clerks and domestics working in an English Cancer Centre.
abstract: The effect of working in an oncology environment on nurses has been widely researched but the experiences of non-clinical staff such as ancillary workers in the oncology environment have rarely been examined. This exploratory study had three aims: to explore ancillary workers' understandings of cancer, their experiences of working in a Cancer Centre and their training and support needs. Working within a naturalistic paradigm, a descriptive exploratory design was utilised employing in-depth interviews and drawing on aspects of grounded theory for data analysis. Findings indicated that these ancillary workers lacked an in-depth understanding of cancer. The experience of working in a Cancer Centre appeared to bring both costs and benefits to these ancillary workers. These ancillary workers enjoyed the level of contact they have with patients in a Cancer Centre and subsequently ascribed great value to their jobs. However, they felt that health-care professional colleagues did not always value their contribution to the care of patients. There are implications for nurses and other health-care staff working in oncology alongside these ancillary staff in terms of valuing and supporting them in the work that they do.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Team, North London Hospice, 47 Woodside Avenue, N12 8TF, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Froggatt
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McClinton
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008502:Medical Secretaries; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D012931:Social Environment; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce