A study on aphasia in caregivers of patients with digestive tract cancers – based on field investigations at a top-tier cancer hospital

This study explores the concept, causes, and ethical implications of the “silence” phenomenon among family caregivers of individuals with digestive tract cancers. It aims to provide theoretical foundations for developing a holistic care system that centers on the family unit. Using field research and phenomenological methods, semi-structured observations and interviews were conducted at a top-tier cancer specialty hospital. A total of 16 family caregivers were involved in the study. The findings reveal that caregivers exhibit four types of silence: emotional silence, silent demand expression, silent self-expression, and silent communication. This silence is not due to the caregivers’ personality traits, but rather results from power imbalances in medical communication, lack of channels for participation, and the tendency of family-based care models to exacerbate emotional silence and role-related problems among caregivers.