Meeting with a Clinical Psychologist to talk about Risk Reducing Breast Surgery

Transcription

1 Patient information Meeting with a Clinical Psychologist to talk about Risk Reducing Breast Surgery Breast Services Directorate PIF 1129 V3

2

3 What is a Clinical Psychologist? Clinical Psychologists train by studying psychology at university and then work as a research assistant or assistant psychologist for a number of years. They then complete a further three years doctorate in clinical psychology. Clinical Psychologists work with people in many different settings. In the breast unit, a Clinical Psychologist s work includes: Meeting with women who are deciding about risk reducing surgery, to talk together about the decision they are making. Psychological therapy; working in partnership with patients using psychological therapy aimed at helping the patients make changes in the way they think, feel and cope with their difficulties. Why am I being referred to a Clinical Psychologist? You have been referred to a clinical psychologist because you are thinking about having your ovaries removed to reduce your risk of cancer. Risk reducing surgery involves removing tissue which, as far as we are aware, is healthy. It is a big decision to remove healthy tissue. Women often find it very helpful to talk about their thoughts and feelings about this. If someone has the chance to talk through the decision in this way, they are less likely to regret the choice they make, and more likely to adjust well afterwards. The clinical psychologist does not make decisions about whether someone should have surgery.

4 What will happen at my appointment? Women can be at various stages in their decision about risk reducing surgery when they meet with the clinical psychologist. Some are not sure whether they would like to have the surgery. Others have decided that they would. The Clinical Psychologist will ask you about the reasons you are considering risk reducing surgery. This will include talking about your experience of cancer; either your own or that of family members, and any other relevant issues. They will talk about adjustment following surgery and common emotional reactions that women can experience. These discussions sometimes take more than one session. Women often find it very helpful to have this time to reflect on the decision they are making. Sometimes they will need more information and the psychologist can arrange for them to talk to the person in the team who can help them best. There may be issues that the woman would like to spend more time talking about, or that they are finding difficult. In these cases, further sessions can be arranged. Is what I tell the Clinical Psychologist confidential? Generally, a clinical psychologist will treat information discussed as confidential. The psychologist will make notes in the clinical psychology file to help them think about the work you are doing together. No other member of the Breast Unit or hospital sees these notes. The psychologist s secretary and assistant would, however, need to have access to the files. The psychologist will make brief notes in the medical records to show when they met you and very broadly the kind of work you are doing together.

5 The clinical psychologist will write to the person who referred you to inform them about the work you are doing. You can also have a copy of these letters. The letters would usually be copied to your GP (family doctor) and other members of the team at the hospital who are involved in your care. However, you can mention if there is information you would not wish to be included in a letter and this can be discussed with the clinical psychologist. There are two situations in which the clinical psychologist will have to disclose information to someone else against your will. If a court of law instructs them to. If you tell the clinical psychologist something that makes them concerned that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm, or if any other serious criminal acts are disclosed. If you want to know more about confidentiality, it is a good idea to ask your psychologist early on so they can explain the system to you and answer any questions.

6

7 Further information Helen Beesley Clinical Psychologist 4th Floor Linda McCartney Centre Tel: Fax: Author: Helen Beesley, Clinical Psychologist Review date: August 2012

8 All Trust approved information is available on request in alternative formats, including other languages, easy read, large print, audio, Braille, moon and electronically. A5/White