Understanding the Relationship Between Palestinian Parents and Israeli Medical Staff in Pediatric Oncology
Author Information
Author(s): Nehari Miri, Bielorai Bella, Toren Amos
Primary Institution: Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
Hypothesis
What psychological and cultural dynamics are involved in the interactions between Palestinian parents of children with cancer and Israeli medical staff?
Conclusion
The study reveals that both Palestinian parents and Israeli medical staff navigate complex emotional landscapes, often using psychological mechanisms like 'splitting' to manage their interactions.
Supporting Evidence
- Parents expressed that the medical staff's behavior was exceptionally good and caring.
- Both groups described a clear separation between the hospital environment and the outside political situation.
- Language barriers created feelings of distance and loneliness for the parents.
Takeaway
This study shows how Palestinian parents and Israeli doctors work together in a hospital, even though they come from different backgrounds and have different feelings about each other.
Methodology
Qualitative study using structured in-depth interviews with medical staff and Palestinian parents.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the emotional context of the interviews and the sensitive nature of the relationships.
Limitations
The study may be influenced by social desirability bias, as parents might not express negative feelings during interviews.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 17 medical staff (7 physicians and 10 nurses) and 12 Palestinian parents (8 mothers, 3 fathers, and 1 grandfather).
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