Corinne Cuvello’s research while affiliated with Hôpital Bicêtre (Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Sud) and other places

Comme tous les matins, Isabelle, Infirmière dans le service d’oncologie médicale, termine sa tournée des chambres pour la distribution des médicaments. Elle reprend son travail après deux jours de récupération ; elle est très Investie dans sa tâche et elle est agréablement surprise lorsqu’elle entre dans la dernière chambre au fond du couloir : Jacques le patient avec lequel elle partage la même passion pour les voyages est debout en train de ranger son armoire. Elle avait laissé ce patient totalement abattu 48 heures avant. En la voyant, il lui sourit.

This study examines the impact of sexual identity on the participation of cancer patients in supportive care. Two different analyses were conducted within the context of an oncology department. First, we quantitatively examined the modalities of participation in different supportive care environments (psycho-oncologist and specialised nurse interventions) over a period of two months. Second, we conducted 25 interviews of patients of the oncology department on their care experiences. Analyses of the supportive care activities demonstrate a greater participation of female patients. The length and average number of interventions are significantly higher in this group. In addition, female patients initiate this kind of care more often than men. Interview data indicates different concepts of supportive care participation. Men use a number of concepts of virility and collective identity to explain their choices and needs. Two models of participation emerge from discussions: a contribution model (more frequent in women) and a disposal model (more frequent in men). These findings provide evidence of an association between the social dimensions of identity and experience of illness and care. This kind of analysis constitutes a key factor in understanding models of participation in the context of supportive care in oncology.