Abstract
Objective This study was aimed at reconstructing social representations regarding
cancer formed by a group of health personnel (medical students) as part of a long-
term study and how such representations affect relationships with patients and
family members and their medical practice.
Methods The investigation integrated qualitative methods from social psychology
and anthropology in medical education. Four focal groups formed by medical
students were applied throughout 2003 and 2004 for developing this phase.
Results For first semester medical students cancer was seen as being an entity
independent of the person being afflicted by it, acquiring anthropomorphic or
zoomorphic qualities, associated with a loss of limits and control. Cancer patients
were represented as being people without a future who would lose their social and
affective links.
Discussion Social representations must become changed in our immediate setting,
leading to new ways of relating to cancer patients in medical services.
cancer formed by a group of health personnel (medical students) as part of a long-
term study and how such representations affect relationships with patients and
family members and their medical practice.
Methods The investigation integrated qualitative methods from social psychology
and anthropology in medical education. Four focal groups formed by medical
students were applied throughout 2003 and 2004 for developing this phase.
Results For first semester medical students cancer was seen as being an entity
independent of the person being afflicted by it, acquiring anthropomorphic or
zoomorphic qualities, associated with a loss of limits and control. Cancer patients
were represented as being people without a future who would lose their social and
affective links.
Discussion Social representations must become changed in our immediate setting,
leading to new ways of relating to cancer patients in medical services.
| Translated title of the contribution | Representing cancer in undergraduate medical students: implications for practice and teaching |
|---|---|
| Original language | Spanish |
| Pages (from-to) | 369-379 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Revista de Salud Pública |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
