AVALIAÇÃO DA PERCEPÇÃO DO DIAGNÓSTICO E DOS PROCESSOS DE COPING DE PACIENTES LEUCÊMICOS.

Abstract

The positive diagnosis of a serious illness like cancer affects people in global aspects. The disorder involves biological, psychological and social changes.. Leukemia is a cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of malignant white blood cells. This study aimed to describe the perceptions of diagnosis, the perception of prognosis and coping strategies used by nine patients, men and women, diagnosed with leukemia. For this purpose it reviewed the literature on leukemia and coping and the application of two instruments, a semi-structured interview and a coping scale. The data indicate a trend among participants, an initial negative perception of diagnosis, involving feelings of fear, anguish and denial strategies. However, after the beginning of treatment, the data indicate a change to a positive perception. It stands out as coping strategies: 1) interviews, religious coping; 2) in the range of coping, focusing on the positive, focusing on emotion and focusing on religion. It appears that the combination of these three coping strategies are associated with the perception of confidence in the cure of leukemia. The results highlight that for better management in the care of patients with leukemia, is important to devote special attention to teamwork psychological processes triggered in each phase of the illness and to offereded the patient the proper social support during the treatment process.