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Are Your Metastatic Cancer Patients and their Family Members using Protective Buffering?

AONN+ Blog published on May 15, 2012
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS; Co-Founder, AONN+; University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer, Work Stride-Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions

Protective buffering refers to hiding cancer-related thoughts and concerns from one’s partner. As a navigator, it is important for you to assess your patient and spouse/caregiver to determine if this is happening among them. Those using buffering as a coping mechanism can develop adverse psychosocial outcomes as well as cause added stress for the person they are trying to protect.
 

 
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