Abstract
M.Tech. (Radiography)
Background: A cancer diagnosis is devastating to both the patient and their family. Many
studies have identified the emotional and physical distress associated with radiotherapy. The
distress is caused by the cancer diagnosis, the patient’s sense of helplessness, uncertainty for
the future, and the negative physical and psychological changes associated with radiotherapy.
A large aspect of a radiation therapist’s work is caring for the patient holistically. Studies have
recognised the role of the radiographer in providing emotional support to cancer patients and
have stressed the ethical responsibility of radiographers to provide adequate support. As one
cannot separate the patient from their family, radiation therapists often find themselves
incorporating the family into counselling sessions with the patient.
Problem Statement: The Private Oncology Centre is unique in the South African setting as
more than 50% of the patients treated with radiation therapy are mineworkers from the
platinum mines around Rustenburg and the Limpopo province. As most of the mineworkers
are the main breadwinners in the family and the mine provides their housing, a cancer diagnosis
and the fear of losing mine employment results in turmoil for the patient and their family, which
impacts on the patient and their compliance with oncology treatment protocols. It is important
to gain an understanding of the patient’s experiences as they undergo radiation therapy in order
to facilitate effective counselling and emotional support for these patients. There is a lack of
literature that addresses this unique context from an insider’s perspective for this patient base.
Aim: The aim of this qualitative ethnographic study is to explore and describe the experiences
of the mineworker in relation to their families when faced with a cancer diagnosis and the
radiotherapy treatment thereof, and to develop guidelines to assist radiation therapists when
counselling the mineworker and their family.
Method: A qualitative ethnographic design was used. Data collection was done by using openended
questionnaires, which were then reflected on in order to develop probing questions for
the individual in-depth telephonic interview. The total number of participants was eleven (11)
mineworkers. Furthermore, additional information was collected in the form of an open-ended
questionnaire from five (5) health care professionals involved in the care of the participants.
Data Analysis: The responses on the questionnaires were reflected upon and from that process
probing interview questions were developed. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed. The
transcribed data was then translated from Setswana to English to ensure truth value. It was then...