Dealing with Sensitive Research and the Professional/Researcher Dilemma; A Reflective Account on Men Living with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Background: There is developing literature that addresses the ethics and sensitivity of undertaking research with patients (and their family members) receiving palliative or end of life care, but there is little published guidance for a novice researcher and sparse evidence in this area that take account of culturally sensitive and resource-poor settings. Sensitive research can be emotionally challenging for researchers too. Aim: / Method This is a reflective account that draws upon research with men who have advanced prostate cancer and their family caregivers in a health resource-limited context Findings: From a research standpoint, two sets of operational issues on challenging emotions and ethics were encountered. The first set of challenges involved the difficulty of researching in a poorly resourced country where many of the things that are taken for granted in the Western world is not the same for researchers. Patients and their caregivers have little access to palliative care, and family members provide most care at home. The second set of challenges entails having to navigate dual roles seamlessly as a nurse as well as a researcher-in-training. Dealing with the issue of double identity and interviewing while dealing with concerns about the care that the researcher observed could be dangerous to the participant's health. Discussion: Although 'sensitive research' may provoke participants' emotional responses, and may put the researcher in a researcher/professional role conflict, it does have the potential for offering a therapeutic relationship. These included navigating issues of conducting interviews while also being asked for advice or identifying concerns about the care that were observed as potentially dangerous to the participant's health. Reaching out to participants about a research topic that carries cultural perceptions as a shameful and stigmatising disease is also challenging. Additionally, many aspects of fieldwork present additional considerations in resource-poor contexts. For example, travelling to and arranging fieldwork presents practical challenges, with poor transport and means of contacting participants. Conclusion: This article presents insights into palliative care research in a cultural context where there are many challenges beyond those discussed and encountered in resource-rich contexts. Such a hazing role between nurse and researcher has repercussions for nurses who do qualitative research into sensitive topics that elicit a passionate, emotional response.