scholarly journals Provider perspectives on barriers and facilitators to adjuvant endocrine therapy-related symptom management

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 3723-3731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleo A. Samuel ◽  
Kea Turner ◽  
Heidi A. S. Donovan ◽  
Ellen Beckjord ◽  
Alexandra Cardy ◽  
...  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 155-155
Author(s):  
Cleo A. Samuel ◽  
Kea Turner ◽  
Heidi AS Donovan ◽  
G J. Van Londen

155 Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET)-related symptom management (SM) among breast cancer survivors (BCS) typically involves a multidisciplinary team of health care providers; yet few studies have examined provider perspectives on AET-related SM. The purpose of this study was to examine provider perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to AET-related SM among BCS and opportunities for improvement. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups (FGs) with a multidisciplinary group of health care providers (n = [6] physician; n = [7] non-physician) experienced in caring for BCS undergoing AET. We utilized semi-structured discussion guides to elicit provider perspectives on AET-related SM and its barriers and facilitators as well as recommendations for improvement. All FGs were held at the University of Pittsburgh, audiotaped, and transcribed. We analyzed FG transcripts using qualitative software to identify key themes. Results: Providers described patient-, provider-, and system- level facilitators and barriers to AET-related SM. At the patient-level, facilitators included social support and provider communication about symptoms while cancer-related distress, misinformation and misinterpretation of online information were identified as barriers. Provider-level facilitators included strong relationships with other providers and ongoing communication with patients; however, lack of time, insufficient resources, and challenges distinguishing AET-related symptoms from other conditions were key provider-level barriers. Finally, at the system-level, electronic health records were described as both a facilitator and barrier to SM. Moreover, poor care coordination among different providers and lack of clear guidelines on which provider “owns” AET-related SM emerged as key system-level barriers. Conclusions: Findings suggest that efforts to improve AET-related SM should span multiple levels, in order to address patient-, provider-, and system-level barriers to SM. Recommendations include increased education for patients, greater access to clinical decision support tools for providers, and improved coordination of survivorship resources within hospitals.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
Kea Turner ◽  
Cleo A. Samuel ◽  
Heidi AS Donovan ◽  
G J. Van Londen

156 Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET)-related symptom management (SM) among breast cancer survivors (BCS) is greatly influenced by the quality of patient-provider communication; yet, few studies have examined provider perspectives on patient-provider communication and decision-making for AET-related SM. We assessed provider perspectives on AET-related SM to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement in patient-provider communication and decision-making. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups (FGs) with a multidisciplinary group of health care providers (n = [6] physician; n = [7] non-physician) experienced in caring for BCS undergoing AET. We utilized semi-structured discussion guides to elicit provider perspectives on patient-provider communication and decision-making for AET-related SM as well as recommendations for improvement. All FGs were held at the University of Pittsburgh, audiotaped, and transcribed. We analyzed FG transcripts using qualitative software to identify key themes. Results: Providers described multiple challenges to patient-provider communication and decision-making for AET-related SM. Providers reported that BCS are often uncertain whether their symptoms are related to AET and unsure of whom to speak with about their symptoms. Providers also felt that patients are reluctant to bring up symptoms for fear that bringing up symptoms would detract from their care. Providers agreed that patient-provider communication influences BCS’ awareness and beliefs about SM. Providers indicated that provider communication strategies such as probing for symptoms, setting realistic treatment expectations, and assessing patient satisfaction with their SM plan enhances patient decision-making about AET-related SM. Conclusions: Although providers identified several challenges related to patient-provider communication and decision-making, many of these challenges are amenable to change through provider-level interventions. Future efforts aimed at improving AET-related SM should include strategies that address patient-provider communication and decision-making.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 1055-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kea Turner ◽  
Cleo A Samuel ◽  
Heidi AS Donovan ◽  
Ellen Beckjord ◽  
Alexandra Cardy ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041626
Author(s):  
Jamie M Jacobs ◽  
Chelsea S Rapoport ◽  
Arielle Horenstein ◽  
Madison Clay ◽  
Emily A Walsh ◽  
...  

IntroductionPatient adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) after a diagnosis of hormone-sensitive breast cancer is poor. Previous interventions have failed to produce changes in adherence, address patient preferences or include theoretically informed and evidence-based components. Therefore, we iteratively developed a patient-centred, evidence-based, small-group, videoconference intervention to improve adherence and symptom management as well as reduce distress for patients taking AET after breast cancer (Symptom-Targeted Randomised Intervention for Distress and Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy, STRIDE).Methods and analysisThe current study is a non-blinded, randomised, controlled, feasibility trial of STRIDE compared with a medication monitoring control group. The primary objective is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of STRIDE, while secondary objectives are to assess changes in objective and subjective adherence, symptom distress and satisfaction with AET. Patients will be recruited from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The total number of patients accrued will be 75, with ≥60 patients completing the study. All patients will store their AET in an electronic pill bottle for objective adherence monitoring. Patients randomly assigned to the STRIDE intervention will receive 6 weekly 1-hour sessions, in small groups of two, delivered via videoconferencing by a trained mental health professional. Patients assigned to the control group will store their medication in the electronic pill bottle and receive follow-up oncology care as usual. All participants will complete self-report psychosocial measures at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks postbaseline.Ethics and disseminationThe study is funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health and is approved by the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Institutional Review Board (Protocol #18–603, V.1.2, first approval date 1 February 2019). The study will be reported in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement for non-pharmacological trials. Results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals, presented at scientific meetings and disseminated to patient organisations and media outlets.Trial registration numberNCT03837496; Pre-results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 1472-1482
Author(s):  
Leah K. Lambert ◽  
Lynda G. Balneaves ◽  
A. Fuchsia Howard ◽  
Stephen L. K. Chia ◽  
Carolyn C. Gotay

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) for breast cancer is suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to: (1) explore the experiences and perspectives of healthcare providers (HCPs) in providing care to breast cancer survivors prescribed AET, (2) identify how social and structural factors influence the provision of AET-related care, and (3) ascertain HCP recommendations for optimizing AET adherence and related care. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 HCPs using an interpretive descriptive approach to inquiry and the theoretical lens of relational autonomy. Data was analyzed using thematic and constant comparative techniques. Healthcare providers focused on four main components of AET-related care: (1) the importance of having careful conversations about AET, (2) difficulties in navigating transitions in care, (3) symptom management as a big part of their role, and (4) dealing with AET discontinuation. Recommendations to improve AET adherence focused on developing sustainable and efficient models of delivering high-quality care to women on AET. Healthcare providers play a pivotal role educating women about AET and supporting their adherence to therapy. Sustainable healthcare system innovations and new models of care that address current system gaps are needed to enhance survivorship care, AET adherence, and ultimately, reduce cancer recurrence and mortality.


Author(s):  
Carmen W.H. Chan ◽  
Daria Tai ◽  
Stephanie Kwong ◽  
Ka Ming Chow ◽  
Dorothy N.S. Chan ◽  
...  

Breast cancer survivors need to undergo adjuvant endocrine therapy after completion of curative treatments to prevent disease recurrence. These individuals often experience symptoms which are detrimental to their quality of life (QOL). Implementation of interventions for effective symptom management among these survivors is warranted. This review provides an overview of studies on the effectiveness of the previously developed interventions for breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy on symptom alleviation and enhancement of QOL or health-related QOL (HRQOL). Five electronic databases were employed in the literature search. Study selection, data extraction and critical appraisal of the included studies were conducted by three authors independently. Twenty-four studies were included. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are effective in addressing the symptoms associated with adjuvant endocrine therapy among the breast cancer survivors, and in improving their QOL, although discrepancies were noted between the studies in terms of the significance of these effects. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can be effective for symptom management among breast cancer survivors. Their implementation is recommended for effective survivorship care for these individuals. Further research on intervention development for breast cancer survivors is recommended to provide further evidence for the utility of the explored interventions in survivorship care for these patients.


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