Responding to difficult emotions

Abstract

Clinicians must be prepared to allow the expression of a variety of emotions, including anger, in cancer care. There are times during the illness when emotional responses may be anticipated, such as when a patient is first diagnosed with cancer, when a recurrence occurs, or when the disease is progressing despite anti-cancer treatments. There will be other times when the physician is unaware of the particular stimulus for emotional distress. A seemingly benign discussion can result in an unexpected response. Additional sources of vulnerability do occur in the lives of cancer patients, not directly related to the cancer care. To be supportive, physicians must be skilled in the delivery of emp..