scholarly journals Cancer Symptom Management by Radiation Therapists: Factors Influencing Use of Evidence-Informed Pan-Canadian Oncology Symptom Triage and Remote Support (COSTaRS) Practice Guides

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. S6
Author(s):  
Carly Henry ◽  
Dawn Stacey ◽  
Lisa Barbera ◽  
Meg Carley ◽  
Kristopher Dennis ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Teggart ◽  
Denise Bryant-Lukosius ◽  
Sarah E. Neil-Sztramko ◽  
Rebecca Ganann

Abstract Introduction: Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines for cancer symptom management, cancer care providers do not consistently utilize them in practice. Oncology nurses in outpatient settings are well-positioned to use established guidelines to inform symptom assessment and management; however, issues concerning inconsistent implementation persist. This scoping review aims to identify and describe the components of implementation strategies that have been used to enhance the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of symptom management guidelines among specialized and advanced oncology nurses in cancer-specific outpatient settings. Factors influencing guideline implementation will also be identified. Methods and analysis: This scoping review will follow Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, MEDLINE(R), and grey literature sources will be searched for studies published in English since the year 2000. Primary studies and grey literature reports of any design that include specialized or advanced oncology nurses practicing in cancer-specific outpatient settings will be eligible. Sources describing implementation strategies to enhance the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of cancer symptom management guidelines and/or factors influencing implementation will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen for eligibility and extract data. Data extraction will be guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Data will be analyzed descriptively and synthesized according to CFIR constructs. Results will be presented through tabular/diagrammatic formats and narrative summary. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. Planned knowledge translation activities include a national conference presentation, peer-reviewed publication, academic social media channels, and dissemination within local oncology nursing and patient networks.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 207-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Gilbertson-White ◽  
Chi Yeung ◽  
Keri Nace Mercer ◽  
Dorota Bartoczszyk ◽  
Todd Papke

207 Background: A disproportionate number of late-stage cancer diagnoses occur in rural residents. Paradoxically this population, with an increased need for palliative care, has minimal access to these services. As smartphone and high-speed internet connectivity reaches near universal penetrance across the country, eHealth technologies have the potential to address this palliative care access gap. Oncology Associated Symptoms and Individualized Strategies (OASIS) web-app was developed to provide tailored cancer symptom self-management support and address this gap. Methods: A two-phased, mixed-methods design was used to: (1) assess stakeholder needs and opinions on the role of eHealth technologies to manage cancer symptoms; and (2) beta test a symptom self-management web-app. Adult patients with advanced cancer and clinic staff from two rural cancer clinics were recruited. A descriptive qualitative approach was used to analyze the patient interviews and staff focus groups. Themes related to symptom management needs and the role of technology were identified. OASIS was developed to address the themes found in phase 1. OASIS consists of 57 self-management strategies for 15 cancer symptoms and a visual symptom/strategy tracker for patients to monitor their symptoms and improve their self-management skills. Results: n = 15 patients were interviewed and n = 11 staff participated in focus groups. Themes identified were “fatalistic acceptance”, “teaching self how to manage symptoms”, and “balancing information needs”. To address these themes OASIS was developed and beta-tested with n = 10 rural residents with advanced cancer. 100% of participants were able to access OASIS via their home internet connection, 80% understood how to use the web-app after one 15 min teaching session, and 50% requested access to the web-app for family to help them with their symptoms. Conclusions: Patients and staff in rural communities have significant cancer symptom management needs and are interested in using eHealth technologies to address these needs. OASIS was found to be accessible, user friendly, easily navigated, and visually appealing. Future research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability as well as the efficacy of OASIS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
C. Ludwig ◽  
J. Renaud ◽  
L. Barbera ◽  
M. Carley ◽  
C. Henry ◽  
...  

Background: Radiation therapists play an important role in helping patients to safely manage and triage potentially life-threatening symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to assess factors influencing the use by radiation therapists of evidence-informed symptom practice guides for patients experiencing cancer treatment–related symptoms. Methods: In a mixed-methods descriptive study guided by the Knowledge-to-Action framework, interviews and a barriers survey were conducted. Two independent reviewers conducted a content analysis of interview transcripts. Barriers survey data were analyzed using frequency distributions and univariate descriptive statistics. Open-ended data from the surveys underwent content analysis and were triangulated with interview findings. Results: Of 90 radiation therapists approached, 58 completed the survey (64%), and 14 were interviewed. Of the 98% who reported providing symptom management to patients undergoing radiation treatment, 53% used evidence-informed practice guidelines. Radiation therapists had moderate moral norms (4.6 of 7) and beliefs about the consequences of using costars (pan-Canadian Oncology Symptom Triage and Remote Support) practice guides (4.8), but neutral intention (3.4) and beliefs about their own capabilities (3.9). Environmental barriers included lack of time (2.0), lack of access (2.5), and neutral organizational support (3.0). Radiation therapists identified a need for training (5.5). Common unique barriers to practice guide use were lack of time during radiation treatments, unclear fit with scope of practice, disparate focus on site-specific symptoms, and lack of medication knowledge. Conclusions: The symptom practice guides were perceived by the radiation therapists to benefit patients, enhance their own knowledge of symptom management, and promote consistent practice. Additional work is required to identify the scope of practice of radiation therapists within the interprofessional team.


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