scholarly journals Self-management strategies to consider to combat endometriosis symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Leonardi ◽  
Andrew W Horne ◽  
Katy Vincent ◽  
Justin Sinclair ◽  
Kerry A Sherman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Expert Opinion ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Educational Resource ◽  
Underlying Condition

ABSTRACT The care of patients with endometriosis has been complicated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Medical and allied healthcare appointments and surgeries are being temporarily postponed. Mandatory self-isolation has created new obstacles for individuals with endometriosis seeking pain relief and improvement in their quality of life. Anxieties may be heightened by concerns over whether endometriosis may be an underlying condition that could predispose to severe COVID-19 infection and what constitutes an appropriate indication for presentation for urgent treatment in the epidemic. Furthermore, the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 can impose negative psychological effects, which patients with endometriosis may be more prone to already. In combination with medical therapies, or as an alternative, we encourage patients to consider self-management strategies to combat endometriosis symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. These self-management strategies are divided into problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies, with the former aiming to change the environment to alleviate pain, and the latter address the psychology of living with endometriosis. We put forward this guidance, which is based on evidence and expert opinion, for healthcare providers to utilize during their consultations with patients via telephone or video. Patients may also independently use this article as an educational resource. The strategies discussed are not exclusively restricted to consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most have been researched before this period of time and all will continue to be a part of the biopsychological approach to endometriosis long after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

scholarly journals Promoting physical activity in adolescent cancer survivors

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Wurz ◽  
Jennifer Brunet
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Adolescent Cancer ◽  
Recommended Guidelines

Self-management strategies, such as physical activity, have been identified to help young cancer survivors reduce or control the side effects that accompany modern cancer therapies whilst improving their overall quality of life. Despite the known benefits of physical activity, the majority of young cancer survivors not meeting recommended guidelines. In this article, we discuss knowledge translation activities that are taking place across Canada to develop and disseminate resources to healthcare providers in an effort to improve physical activity counselling, and ultimately participation for adolescent cancer survivors.

Supporting Self-Management and Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder with the Beta PolarUs App: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin E Michalak ◽  
Steven J Barnes ◽  
Emma Morton ◽  
Heather O'Brien ◽  
Greg Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Beta Version

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly recognised as a key outcome of self-management interventions for bipolar disorder (BD). Mobile phone applications (apps) can increase access to evidence-based self-management strategies and provide real-time support. However, while individuals with lived experience desire support with monitoring and improving broader health domains, existing BD apps largely target mood symptoms only. Further, evidence from the broader mHealth literature has shown that the desires and goals of end-users are not adequately taken into account during app development, and as a result engagement with mental health apps is suboptimal. To capitalise on the potential of apps to optimise wellness in BD, there is a need for interventions developed in consultation with real-world users that are designed to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management. Objective: This mixed methods pilot study is designed to evaluate the beta version of the newly developed PolarUs app, which aims to support QoL self-monitoring and self-management in people with BD. Developed using a community-based participatory research framework, the PolarUs app builds on the web-based adaptation of a BD-specific QoL self-assessment measure, and integrates material from a web-based portal providing information on evidence-informed self-management strategies in BD. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives of this project are to: (1) evaluate PolarUs app feasibility (via behavioral usage metrics); (2) evaluate PolarUs impact (via the Brief Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorders, QoL.BD scale, our primary outcomes measure); and (3) explore engagement with the PolarUs app (via both quantitative and qualitative methods). METHODS Study participants will be North American residents (N=150) aged 18-65 years with a DSM-5 diagnosis of BD-I, BD-II or BD not otherwise specified (NOS) as assessed by a structured diagnostic interview. An embedded mixed-methods research design will be adopted; qualitative interviews with a purposefully selected sub-sample (~n=30) of participants will be conducted to explore in more depth feasibility, impact and engagement with the PolarUs app over the 12-week study period. RESULTS At the time of publication of this protocol, the development of the beta version of the PolarUs app is complete. Participant enrollment is expected to begin in February 2022. Data collection is expected to be completed by December 2022. CONCLUSIONS Beyond contributing knowledge on the feasibility and impacts of a novel app to support QoL and self-management in BD, this study is also expected to provide new knowledge on engagement with mHealth apps. Furthermore, it is expected to function as a case study of successful co-design between individuals living with BD, clinicians who specialise in the treatment of BD, and BD researchers, providing a template for future use of community-based participatory research frameworks in mHealth intervention development. Results will be used to further refine the PolarUs app and inform the design of a larger clinical trial.

Atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
pp. 185-208
Author(s):  
Gheorghe-Andrei Dan ◽  
Jan Steffel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mechanical Valve ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonist ◽  
Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy ◽  
Mitral Disease ◽  
Valve Prostheses

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest cardiac arrhythmia in hopspitalized patients, with an increasing incidence with age and an epidemic increase projected for the next 10 years. Therapy of AF has several goals: to decrease mortality (mainly due to cardiovascular diseases), stroke rate, ventricular deterioration and heart failure, cognitive impairment, and dementia, as well as to increase quality of life. The recent European AF guidelines specify the management strategies for each of the above-mentioned goals. For stroke prevention, treatment with a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) has emerged as the therapy of choice for the majority of patients with AF in the absence of rheumatic mitral disease and mechanical valve prostheses. However, in daily use of these drugs, many challenges remain that healthcare providers need to be aware of. Regarding treatment of the arrhythmia itself, it remains a therapy addressing the quality of life. Catheter ablation has emerged as a valid alternative for a variety of patients. Nevertheless, pharmacological antiarrhythmic drug therapy remains an important pillar for the majority of patients, and effective and safe use implies an important skill for every cardiologist.

Atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
pp. 185-208
Author(s):  
Gheorghe-Andrei Dan ◽  
Jan Steffel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Mechanical Valve ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonist ◽  
Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy ◽  
Mitral Disease ◽  
Valve Prostheses

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest cardiac arrhythmia in hopspitalized patients, with an increasing incidence with age and an epidemic increase projected for the next 10 years. Therapy of AF has several goals: to decrease mortality (mainly due to cardiovascular diseases), stroke rate, ventricular deterioration and heart failure, cognitive impairment, and dementia, as well as to increase quality of life. The recent European AF guidelines specify the management strategies for each of the above-mentioned goals. For stroke prevention, treatment with a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) has emerged as the therapy of choice for the majority of patients with AF in the absence of rheumatic mitral disease and mechanical valve prostheses. However, in daily use of these drugs, many challenges remain that healthcare providers need to be aware of. Regarding treatment of the arrhythmia itself, it remains a therapy addressing the quality of life. Catheter ablation has emerged as a valid alternative for a variety of patients. Nevertheless, pharmacological antiarrhythmic drug therapy remains an important pillar for the majority of patients, and effective and safe use implies an important skill for every cardiologist.

scholarly journals Understanding the impact of incontinence on Veterans’ self-management strategies, quality of life and treatment experiences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Cowan ◽  
Sarah Bradley ◽  
Andrew R. Devendorf ◽  
Lelia Barks ◽  
Tatiana Orozco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Fecal Incontinence ◽  
Healthcare Provider ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
List Type ◽  
Structured Interviews

AbstractBackgroundUrinary and fecal incontinence contribute to significant quality of life impairments for patients and caregivers. Preliminary research suggests that incontinence rates may be higher among Veterans. However, few studies have examined incontinence experiences among Veterans and their caregivers.ObjectivesWe aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting a one-year, telephone survey with Veterans and their caregivers to help inform larger studies. By including both Veteran and caregiver perspectives, we explored how incontinence impacts Veterans’ self-management strategies, quality of life, and treatment experiences.DesignWe used a mixed methods design, employing quantitative (i.e., cross-sectional survey) and qualitative approaches (i.e., semi-structured interviews).ParticipantsOur sample included 64 Veterans with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, or mixed incontinence, and 36 caregivers. A subset of 18 Veterans and 8 caregivers completed semi-structured interviews.MethodsData were collected via telephone surveys over the course of 1-year from a small research team at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Participants completed measures about the Veteran’s incontinence severity, quality of life, and VHA treatment experiences. Interviews asked participants about their perceptions and satisfaction in receiving treatment for the Veterans’ incontinence. Qualitative themes were extracted using a Rapid Assessment Process model.ResultsVeterans’ self-reported physical quality of life correlated negatively and significantly with both urinary and fecal incontinence severity, as well as negatively and significantly with urinary continence bother (rs range: −.36 to −.47, ps < .01). Veterans’ mental quality of life correlated negatively and significantly with urinary incontinence bother (r = −.43, p < .001). About 67% Veterans experienced incontinence symptoms for 5-years or more, yet 44% waited at least 1-year to discuss incontinence with a VHA provider. Most Veterans (92%) reported speaking with a VHA provider about incontinence, while only 42% reported speaking with a non-VHA provider. Qualitative findings revealed that, upon speaking to a provider, Veterans felt comfortable but also desired more incontinence education from their providers, including obtaining more appropriate and tailored treatment options. While most Veterans followed their provider’s treatment recommendations, some felt unsatisfied with treatments that they perceived as embarrassing.ConclusionsRecruiting a substantial sample of Veterans with incontinence, and their caregivers, is feasible using our recruitment methods, which can inform larger studies. Our study revealed that incontinence symptoms interfere significantly with the quality of life of Veterans and their caregivers. Intervening at the healthcare level by educating providers and systematizing inquiry into incontinence for higher risk populations would be fruitful to explore.Contribution of the PaperWhat is already known about this topic?Urinary incontinence is more prevalent than fecal incontinence, and both are associated with significant impairments in physical, mental, and social functioning.Urinary and fecal incontinence become more prevalent with older age and additional chronic health conditions.There is a lack of incontinence diagnoses documented in Veteran’s medical records, even when incontinence is present. Few studies have reported on caregiver burden related to incontinence care.What this paper addsThis study is the first to report on the potential delay between Veteran’s experiencing symptoms of incontinence and informing their healthcare provider or caregiver about those symptoms (sometimes 5-years or more).Insights on Veteran and caregiver satisfaction with incontinence care can guide healthcare interventions to improve incontinence care.Both Veteran quality of life and caregiver burden correlated significantly and negatively with satisfaction with incontinence treatments tried and number of treatments tried. Only 21% of Veterans were satisfied with the treatment plan they were given, suggesting a potential knowledge gap or opportunity for improvement in healthcare provider approaches to incontinence management.

Exploring and Prioritization of Mobile-Based Self-Management Strategies for HIV Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-296
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Mehraeen ◽  
Reza Safdari ◽  
SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi ◽  
Niloofar Mohammadzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Management Interventions

Background: Appropriate mobile-based self-management strategies can be as new approaches to decelerate the HIV infection progression and improve the quality of life. This study aims at (i) identifying in the literature mobile-based self-management strategies for HIV care and (ii) prioritizing those from the point of view of infectious diseases specialists. This study provides some clues to design useful mobile-based self-management tools for HIV patients, from the point of view of practitioners. Methods: This mixed methods study was done in two main phases. In the first phase, a review was conducted in: PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and Ovid. In this manner, related studies published between 2010 and 2017 and in the English language were reviewed. In the second phase, identified mobile-based self-management strategies were scored and prioritized by 23 participants. Frequency distribution and mean reports were calculated using SPSS statistical software. Results: By detailed reviewing of 24 related articles, the HIV mobile-based self-management strategies were identified in 47 categories and subcategories. According to the findings, "enhance the quality of life" was the main self-management strategy addressed by reviewed studies. However, "antiretroviral therapy and medication adherence" was reported at a higher rate to be a more helpful strategy than "enhance the quality of life". Conclusion: In this study, helpful HIV mobile-based self-management strategies were identified that can be used to guide self-management interventions which have the potential to improve the healthcare services for people living with HIV.

Pain and fatigue

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candy McCabe ◽  
Richard Haigh ◽  
Helen Cohen ◽  
Sarah Hewlett
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Holistic Treatment

Pain and fatigue are the prominent problems for those with a rheumatic disease, and are often underestimated by clinicians. Symptoms may fluctuate in quality and intensity over time and commonly will vary over the course of a day. For pain, clinical signs and symptoms will be dependent on the source of the pain and whether causative underlying pathology is identifiable or not. Fatigue may range from mild effects to total exhaustion and may include cognitive and emotional elements, with a complex, probably multicausal, pathway. Theoretical knowledge of potential mechanistic pathways for pain and fatigue should be used to inform assessment and treatment approaches. Best practice recommends a multidisciplinary and holistic treatment approach with the patient an active participant in the planning of their care, and self-management. Many patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions will not achieve a pain-free or fatigue-free status. Medication use must therefore balance potential benefit against short- and long-term side effects. Rheumatology centres should offer specific fatigue and pain self-management support as part of routine care. Emphasis should be given to facilitating self-management strategies for both pain and fatigue to help the patient optimize their quality of life over years or a lifetime of symptoms. Interventions should include behaviour change and cognitive restructuring of pain/fatigue beliefs, as well as access to relevant self-help groups and charitable organizations. Referral for specialist advice from regional or national clinics on pain relief and management should be considered if pain interferes significantly with function or quality of life despite local interventions.

Quality of life and self-management strategies after gastroesophageal cancer surgery.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 159-159
Author(s):  
Virginia Sun ◽  
Jae Y. Kim ◽  
Nora Ruel ◽  
Joseph Kim ◽  
Dan Raz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Eating Problems ◽  
Gastroesophageal Cancer ◽  
Eortc Qlq

159 Background: Gastroesophageal cancer surgery can result in significant morbidity and decreased quality of life (QOL). The profound physical changes and symptoms that affect eating/digestion can substantially alter psychological and social well-being. We aimed to describe QOL and dietary/behavioral self-management strategies after gastroesophageal cancer surgery. Methods: Patients who were 6-12 months post-resection completed surveys for QOL (EORTC-QLQ-C30), symptoms (EORTC-QLQ-OES18 or QLQ-STO22), diet modifications, and behavioral adjustments. Scores for validated measures were calculated according to guidelines, and summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: 31 patients (11 esophagectomy, 20 gastrectromy) participated in the study. Surgical approach was 71% minimally invasive (laparoscopic, robotic). Patients reported clinically meaningful (≥10 point difference) worse mean scores compared to reference population means for physical (73.3/100 esophagectomy, 78.3/100 gastrectomy vs. 89.8/100 reference populations), role (63.6/100, 73.3/100 vs. 84.7/100), and social functioning (62.1/100, 75.0/100 vs. 87.5/100). Eating problems (48.5/100) was the worst symptom for esophagectomy patients. Thereafter, problems with taste, cough, reflux, and dysphagia were reported frequently. For gastrectomy patients, eating problems was also the worst symptom (28.2/100), followed by body image disturbance, dry mouth, and pain. Time to comfort with eating after surgery was between 3-12 months. The most common behavioral adjustments include chewing food completely (96%), eating multiple meals per day (90%), controlling meal portions (87%), staying or sitting upright after meals (71%), staying at or close to home more (64%), and eating out less (55%). Conclusions: QOL is greatly reduced after gastroesophageal cancer surgery. Eating problems and associated symptoms persist 6-12 months after surgery. Patients used multiple self-management strategies to control eating problems and symptoms. These strategies varied greatly, suggesting that personalized interventions are necessary to help patients adjust to eating after surgery and improve QOL.

Pain and fatigue

2013 ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Candy McCabe ◽  
Richard Haigh ◽  
Helen Cohen ◽  
Sarah Hewlett
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Charitable Organizations ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Clinical Signs And Symptoms

Pain and fatigue are the prominent problems for those with a rheumatic disease, and are often underestimated by clinicians. Symptoms may fluctuate in quality and intensity over time and commonly will vary over the course of a day. For pain, clinical signs and symptoms will be dependent on the source of the pain and whether causative underlying pathology is identifiable or not. Fatigue may range from mild effects to total exhaustion and may include cognitive and emotional elements, with a complex, probably multicausal, pathway. Theoretical knowledge of potential mechanistic pathways for pain and fatigue should be used to inform assessment and treatment approaches. Best practice recommends a multidisciplinary and holistic treatment approach with the patient an active participant in the planning of their care, and self-management. Many patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions will not achieve a pain-free or fatigue-free status. Medication use must therefore balance potential benefit against short- and long-term side effects. Rheumatology centres should offer specific fatigue and pain self-management support as part of routine care. Emphasis should be given to facilitating self-management strategies for both pain and fatigue to help the patient optimize their quality of life over years or a lifetime of symptoms. Interventions should include behaviour change and cognitive restructuring of pain/fatigue beliefs, as well as access to relevant self-help groups and charitable organizations. Referral for specialist advice from regional or national clinics on pain relief and management should be considered if pain interferes significantly with function or quality of life despite local interventions.

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