TITLE:
The Psychological Experience of the Nursing Staff of the Medical Oncology Department in Cameroon: Case of the Yaoundé General Hospital
AUTHORS:
Berthe Sabine Esson Mapoko, Esther Dina Bell Mbassi, Véronique Mboua Batoum, Marie Josiane Ntsama Essomba, Lionel Tabola Fossa, Lionel Bala, Etienne Atenguena Okobalemba, Ruth Rosine Meka’h Mapenya, Anne Juliette Flora Sango, Anne Marthe Maison Mayeh, Sidonie Ananga Noa, Ambroise Ntama, Zacharie Sando, Paul Ndom
KEYWORDS:
Psychological Experience, Nursing Staff, Medical Oncology Department, Ya-oundé General Hospital
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
20,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The world of cancer care is an emotional place, given the severity of
the disease being treated, the heavy workload, the suffering of patients, and
the high number of deaths. The nursing staff who work there may be exposed to
constant stress from these factors. This study aimed to explore the
psychological experience of the nursing staff of the Medical Oncology
Department of the Yaoundé General Hospital. Methods: We carried out a
cross-sectional study, in June 2017, involving the nursing staff of the Medical
Oncology Department of the Yaoundé General Hospital. Results: Sixteen
out of 18 nurses were interviewed. All had worked in at least one other
department prior to Oncology. The number of
years of experience in Oncology ranged from less than one year to 13 years. The
choice of the Oncology department was involuntary for 100% of the staff;
of these, 62% had intentions of changing
departments. Twenty-five percent had applied for a change of department, which was unsuccessful. Stress was
expressed by 94% of the staff; 93% thought that there was a solution to
the stress experienced on a daily basis in the Oncology department. The main
solutions proposed to manage this stress were: support for the staff, provision
of work materials, and staff training. Conclusion: The nursing staff of
the Medical Oncology Department of the Yaoundé General Hospital experiences a high level of stress and are in need of
solutions.