Meaningful Support for Chemotherapy and Dialysis Patients in Alanya

Alanya Training and Research Hospital (EAH) has begun providing psychological support as part of a holistic treatment approach for patients receiving chemotherapy and dialysis. Those who have lost their jobs, schools, and social connections due to dialysis or chemotherapy often struggle to cope. Psychological support helps dialysis and cancer patients connect more easily to life and promotes positive momentum in medical treatment outcomes.

The hospital management, responsible nephrology, oncology, and hematology doctors have launched this psychological support to provide comprehensive healthcare services to patients undergoing dialysis and chemotherapy.

“Patients’ Quality of Life is Improving”

In the Chemotherapy Unit, 550 patients per month, and 98 acute and chronic patients in the Dialysis Unit, now receive individual psychological support. Psychologist Hayriye Güzel noted, “Due to the long-term and challenging nature of treatments, negative reactions from patients are expected. Cancer and dialysis are associated with negativity for patients, often leading to job loss and financial hardship, which deeply impacts them socially and psychologically. Their expectations and plans for the future may be disrupted, and they may feel a loss of control over their lives, leading to anxiety, fear, and helplessness. When these feelings persist, psychological support is necessary. Patients who receive support experience better quality of life, improved coping, and reduced fear and anxiety. We stand by our patients to improve their quality of life and contribute to their treatment”.

We Stand by Our Patients

Nephrology specialist Prof. Dr. Zehra Eren, responsible for Dialysis, emphasized that they serve a total of 98 acute and chronic patients, saying, “Kidney failure can lead to numerous psychological issues during both dialysis and transplant processes. We want our patients to know we’re here to support them psychologically as well”.

Psychological Support is Important in Treatment

Oncologists and hematologists Dr. İsmail Beypınar, Dr. Onur Yazdan Balçık, Dr. Ünal Ataş, and Dr. Fadime Nurcan Alhan added: “Studies have shown that psychological support for cancer patients can be as beneficial as chemotherapy agents. Our goal is to make this difficult process easier for our patients”.