Comunicação em oncologia: Uma análise qualitativa sob o enfoque psicanalítico

This article discusses the findings of an exploratory qualitative study about patients' perceptions of communication with the health care team during chemotherapy. Interviews were conducted with 14 patients undergoing cancer treatment at different stages of the disease. The instruments used were: sociodemographic data sheet and semi -structured interview. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed regarding reading nonjudgmental; structural analysis and content categorization; critical interpretation and discussion. Two independent judges evaluated the interviews contents and evaluated concordance index (Kappa = 0.834). Three categories of communication were created: 1) Technical Communication; 2) Technical Communication with Emotional Support; 3) Insuf ficient communication. The psychoanalytic theory offered a comprehensive view of this issue and joined subjective aspects of illness with the empirical evidence. The results showed that communication with emotional support contributed to greater satisfaction and psychological health of the patient during cancer treatment. Wellness feeling and support feelings were mentioned by patients to refer this type of communication. The technical communication with emotional support provides the patient trust in reali ty and extends hope in life and comfort before death. More negative perceptions regarding communication with health professionals were linked to failures in the exchange of information, sense of emotional detachment and lack of interest on personal aspects of the patient.