Diapositiva 1

1
Observational Study of Communication among
Caregivers, Patients (and their Relatives)
affected by thyroid tumours introducing the use
of an interdisciplinary grid in radiometabolic
therapy.
Mazzeo E., Marino L., DAmico R., Smaniotto
D., Luzi S., Tagliaferri L., Strangio A.,
Fazzi M., Nesci D. A. , Cellini
N. Cattedra Di Radioterapia, Dipartimento di
Bioimmagini e Scienze Radiologiche, Policlinico
Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Roma.
Istituto di Psichiatria e Psicologia,
Consultazione Psichiatrica, Policlinico
Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Roma
Purpose/objective An interdisciplinary team has
been organized in order to study the process of
communication among caregivers, patients (and
their relatives) in radiometabolic therapy for
thyroid tumour. Materials and methods From
October 2007 to June 2008 we have been observing
246 patients affected by thyroid tumours
hospitalized in shielded inpatient facilities
since they had to undergo treatment with Iodine
131. We used a psychoanalytic frame to observe
caregivers, patients (and their relatives) during
the communication of the radio-protective
measures that were to be used during the
hospitalization and the post discharge
period. Results 63 male and 183 female
categorized by age, 15-30 years 8 male and 26
female, 30-60 years 31 male and 121 female, gt 60
years 24 male and 36 female. Sex and age had
been also taken into account to understand the
different reactions of patients and their
relatives to the apparently standard
communications by doctors and nurses of the
radio-protective measures that had to be taken.
All psychological problems that were observed in
relation to isolation and the unconscious
fantasies and dynamics triggered by the
communication of diagnosis and the special
features of radiometabolic I-131 therapy have
been discussed in team meetings, periodically. At
the end of the study a first result was the
decision to build an interdisciplinary grid
completed by Physicians, Nurses, Psychologists
and Patients in order to describe and evaluate
the most frequent reactions of patients and
relatives to the standard communication
process.
Interdisciplinary grids completed by Physicians,
Nurses, Psychologists and Patients
Grids completed by Physicians, Nurses and
Psychologists
Grids completed by Patients
Conclusion This grid is supposed to become a tool
to proceed in further observational study so that
changes in the communication process might be
developed to reduce stress in all groups
caregivers, patients, and their relatives.