Patient satisfaction with the role of a Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist in palliative care

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Rozanec ◽  
Sandra Smith ◽  
Woodrow Wells ◽  
Elen Moyo ◽  
Laura Zychla ◽  
...  

AbstractAimTo examine patient satisfaction with a Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) in a palliative radiotherapy clinical environment.Materials and methodsA one-point dissemination design captured satisfaction scores from patients who did (n=19) and did not (n=14) receive palliative care from the CSRT. The ‘Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire’ included six common questions and four additional questions for patients seen by a CSRT. T-tests compared results from common questions and mean values, standard deviations were also calculated.ResultsFor questions ‘I was told everything that I want to know about my condition’ and ‘I felt that the problem that I came with was sorted out properly’, those who received care from the CSRT scored significantly (p<0·05) higher than those that did not (p=0·033, 0·037). For CSRT-specific questions, 89% of participants felt the experience with the CSRT was excellent, 78% strongly agreed/agreed having a CSRT on the care team was important, and 89% of participants strongly agreed/agreed having a CSRT on the care team was important to patients’ understanding of treatment.FindingsPatients receiving care from the CSRT had better understanding of treatment and an excellent experience with the CSRT. This interaction provided more opportunities to address patient questions/concerns, thus alleviating patient anxiety, increasing satisfaction with care, and demonstrating how new roles can develop new models of care within the current healthcare system.

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Rozanec ◽  
Sandra Smith ◽  
Woodrow Wells ◽  
Elen Moyo ◽  
Laura Zychla ◽  
...  

ISRN Oncology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Carsten Nieder ◽  
Kent Angelo ◽  
Astrid Dalhaug ◽  
Adam Pawinski ◽  
Gro Aandahl ◽  
...  

Purpose. To analyze pattern of care and survival after palliative radiotherapy (RT) in patients managed exclusively by regular oncology staff or a multidisciplinary palliative care team (MPCT) in addition. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 522 RT courses. Comparison of Two Groups: MPCT versus none. Results. We analyzed 140 RT courses (27%) with MPCT care and 382 without it. The following statistically significant differences were observed: 33% of female patients had MPCT care versus only 23% of male patients and 37% of patients <65 years had MPCT care versus only 22% of older patients. MPCT patients were more likely to have poor performance status and liver metastases. In the MPCT group steroid and opioid use was significantly more common. Dose-fractionation regimens were similar. Median survival was significantly shorter in the MPCT group, 3.9 versus 6.9 months. In multivariate analysis, MPCT care was not associated with survival. Adjusted for confounders, MPCT care reduced the likelihood of incomplete RT by 33%, P>0.05. Conclusions. Patterns of referral and care differed, for example, regarding age and medication use. It seems possible that MPCT care reduces likelihood of incomplete RT. Therefore, the impact of MPCT care on symptom control should be investigated and objective referral criteria should be developed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 124-124
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Lockhart ◽  
Michelle Ang ◽  
Laura Zychla ◽  
Kate Bak ◽  
Lynne Nagata ◽  
...  

124 Background: Ontario’s cancer system faces many challenges, including a rising incidence of cancer, aging population, increasingly complex cancer treatment, and health human resource (HHR) constraints. In response, Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care collaborated on a project to assess whether a new advanced practice radiation therapist role – the ‘Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist’ (CSRT) – could enhance access to high quality, innovative care by optimizing the use of HHR. Methods: This innovative model of care aims to enable radiation therapists with advanced training and accreditation (CSRTs) to assume responsibility for certain activities traditionally performed by radiation oncologists (ROs) while maintaining and improving the quality, accessibility and efficiency of radiotherapy (RT) for patients. To assess CSRTs’ impacts standardized metrics, including efficiency (access, wait times (WTs), team function) and quality (new/enhanced services, patient experience) measures, were used. Results: Currently there are 24 CSRTs in 9 of 14 regional cancer centres. 2014/15 data demonstrated that CSRTs can improve the efficiency of referral processes and clinic operations, decrease WTs, and increase capacity (2-28 additional patients seen in clinic/month). Optimized team function and time savings (5-66 RO hours/month) have been achieved through CSRTs’ assumption of certain patient assessment and treatment planning activities. Efficiencies have improved patient experience by facilitating quicker, more coordinated flow through the RT process, and greater continuity of care. Further, CSRTs have enhanced access to high quality RT, through > 75 innovative initiatives (rapid access clinics, telemedicine consults). Conclusions: The CSRT role demonstrates how innovative models of care can improve patient access to high quality cancer care. With 24 CSRTs implemented, opportunities for analysis of factors which facilitate achievement of maximal impact and position sustainability exist. Such investigations could inform the refinement and further implementation of CSRTs in Ontario and other jurisdictions, improving patients’ access to RT more broadly.


Author(s):  
Marcela Moreira Salles ◽  
Viviane de Cássia Oliveira ◽  
Ana Paula Macedo ◽  
Claudia Helena Silva-Lovato ◽  
Helena de Freitas Oliveira Paranhos

Implant-supported prostheses hygiene and peri-implant tissues health are considered to be predictive factors for successful prosthetic rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of brushing associated with oral irrigation measured as biofilm-removing capacity, maintenance of healthy oral tissues, and patient satisfaction. A randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted with 38 patients who wore conventional maxillary complete dentures and mandibular overdentures retained by the O-ring system. The patients were instructed to use the following hygiene methods for 14 days: mechanical brushing [MB (brush and dentifrice - Control)]; and MB with oral irrigation [WP (Waterpik - Experimental)]. Biofilm-removing capacity and maintenance of healthy oral tissues were evaluated by the Modified Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), and Bleeding on Probing Index (BP) recorded at baseline and after each method. In parallel, patients answered a specific questionnaire using a Visual Analogue Scale after each hygiene method. Data were analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (α=0.05). The results showed significantly lower PI, GI, PD, and BP indices after application of the hygiene methods (P&lt;0.001) than those observed at baseline. However, no significant difference was found between MB and WP. The satisfaction questionnaire responses to both methods showed high mean values for all questions, with no statistically significant difference found between the answers given after the use of MB and WP (P&gt;0.05). The findings suggest that WP was effective in reducing PI, GI, PD, and BP indices and provided a high level of patient satisfaction.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 901-905
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Watanabe ◽  
Miwako Eto ◽  
Keiichi Yamasaki

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