Exploring the Lived Experiences of Emotional and Ethical Engagement among Radiographers and Patients in Radiotherapy Practice in Indonesia
Keywords:
Phenomenology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnostic Practice, Lived Experience, Ethical Responsibility, Emotional ResilienceAbstract
Radiotherapy and radiodiagnostic science represent a vital intersection between medical technology and human care, where precision, empathy, and ethical responsibility converge in clinical practice. Within this field, increasing attention has been directed toward understanding the lived experiences of healthcare professionals and patients who navigate the emotional and moral complexities of technologically mediated treatment. Despite existing research on technical proficiency and patient satisfaction, little is known about how radiographers and patients interpret and construct meaning from their experiences during radiotherapy. This study addresses this gap by applying a phenomenological approach to explore the essence of emotional, ethical, and professional engagement in radiotherapy practice. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the study involved a total of 12 participants, consisting of 6 radiographers (with 3–15 years of clinical experience) and 6 patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. Participants were recruited purposively from a tertiary oncology center to ensure variation in age, treatment stage, and professional background. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with radiographers and patients at a tertiary oncology center, then analyzed thematically to uncover patterns of meaning. The findings revealed five core themes: emotional fatigue, ethical responsibility, communicative empathy, coping mechanisms, and existential reflection—each illustrating the deeply human dimension of radiological work. These results demonstrate that radiotherapy practice is not solely defined by technical precision but also by the moral and relational connections that sustain care. The study advances the understanding of how phenomenology can enrich medical practice by illuminating the emotional realities behind procedural excellence and offers a reflective foundation for improving both professional well-being and patient-centered care.
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