Communication in non-surgical oncology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lai Cheng Yew ◽  
E. Jane Maher
Keyword(s):  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Surgical Oncology ◽  
Health States ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
Time Treatment ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
End Of Life Communication

The non-surgical oncologist is involved in almost every patient’s cancer journey be it at diagnosis, during treatment, at follow-up, at recurrence, through survivorship, and even at the end of life. Communication issues will arise at all of these stages and will need to consider the complexities of the whole patient. There are key communication points when patients shift from different health states (e.g. diagnosis of cancer, completion of initial anti-cancer treatment, recurrence, each time treatment is no longer ‘working’ and disease is progressing, diagnosis of significant, irreversible, treatment-related effects, moving from living with incurable cancer, to dying with cancer). Effective communication is associated with better outcomes including adherence to advice, patient empowerment, quality of life, and survival.

scholarly journals Patient Empowerment Among People Attending Cancer Follow-Up – Results from a Nationwide Questionnaire Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanna Bjerg Eskildsen ◽  
Lone Ross ◽  
Clara Rübner Jørgensen ◽  
Susanne S Pedersen ◽  
Thora Grothe Thomsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Late Complications ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract PurposeTo investigate levels of empowerment, possibilities for empowerment and perceived importance of empowerment among Danes in cancer follow-up. MethodsFrom nation-wide registers a randomly selected group of people diagnosed with one of ten different cancer diagnoses between one and five years ago were invited to complete the newly developed ‘Cancer Patient Empowerment Questionnaire’ (CPEQ). Respondents who reported that they were in a follow-up program were included in the analysis. Frequencies of answers to the items in the questionnaire were calculated. ResultsIn total, 1,418 people with a diagnosis of cancer returned the questionnaire (response rate 54%). Of these, 1,042 reported being in follow-up and were included in the analysis. Most respondents experienced that there was a plan for their follow-up (83%) and felt at ease with both the frequency (80%) and content of the follow-up (78%). However, many also reported lack of possibilities for and/or low levels of empowerment. They were not aware of any decisions being made during their follow-up, had not received information about relevant patient associations, or had any conversations with healthcare professionals regarding their needs and wishes for their follow-up. Furthermore, almost 20% lacked information on and confidence in managing treatment-related side-effects, late complications and alarm symptoms. ConclusionMany respondents reported lack of possibilities for and/or low levels of empowerment in their cancer follow-up. This may have consequences for their quality of life and capabilities and opportunities for managing their own care.

Cancer, depression symptoms and quality of life: The role of creativity

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S470-S471 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Delpech ◽  
F. Sordes ◽  
J.L. Sudres
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
Depression Level ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
The Impact

The diagnosis of cancer is associated with the occurrence of psychopathological symptoms, which cause even more difficulties to patients. Scientific research demonstrates that creativity could help increase the general population's quality of life and regulate their negative emotions, but only a few studies are available on the link between creativity and the regulation of patients’ respective experience. This study aims at (1) measuring the impact of creativity on the patient's level of depression and quality of life and (2) evaluating the psychopathological profile of the creative person. Thirty-five subjects undergoing chemotherapy treatment (age: 61 + 11) took part in this study. The experimental protocol is composed of creativity, depression and QoL tests. The results show that creativity is negatively correlated with depression level and positively with QoL (r = −45; P = <.05 and r=.54; P = <.01 respectively). The linear regressions show that creativity is a variable, which predicts a high QoL (F = 13.83; P=.001). Also, 29.5% of the QoL variability is explained by creativity. A cluster analysis sorted out three different groups: very creative persons (VCP); mildly creative persons (MCP); slightly creative persons (SCP). VCPs have a significantly lower level of depression and have a better QoL compared to SCPs. MCPs have a level of depression between the other groups and a similar level of QoL than VCPs. These results suggest that creativity could have a noticeable influence on how patients experience their cancer. Further studies on this phenomenon will be necessary for creativity to be taken into account for psychological follow-up in oncology.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Have Cochlear Implant, Won't Have to Travel: Introducing Telemedicine to People Using Cochlear Implants

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3S) ◽  
pp. 299-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Cullington ◽  
Padraig Kitterick ◽  
Lisa DeBold ◽  
Mark Weal ◽  
Nicholas Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Remote Care

Purpose This research note describes a planned project to design, implement, and evaluate remote care for adults using cochlear implants and compare their outcomes with those of individuals following the standard care pathway. Method Sixty people with cochlear implants will be recruited and randomized to either the remote care group or a control group. The remote care group will use new tools for 6 months: remote and self-monitoring, self-adjustment of device, and a personalized online support tool. The main outcome measure is patient empowerment, with secondary outcomes of stability in hearing and quality of life, patient and clinician preference, and use of clinic resources. Conclusion The clinical trial ends in summer 2016. Remote care may offer a viable method of follow-up for some adults with cochlear implants.

Treatment outcome in patients undergoing surgery for carcinoma larynx and hypopharynx: A follow-up study

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 15545-15545
Author(s):  
B. T. Varghese ◽  
P. Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Surgical Oncology ◽  
Voice Rehabilitation ◽  
Voice Preservation ◽  
Disease Free

15545 Background: In the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) Trivandrum, India, carcinoma of the larynx account for approximately 5% of all new registries and carcinoma of the hypopharynx for another 3%. It is estimated that the division of surgical oncology RCC has performed about 200 laryngectomies since it’s beginning (1989). Currently i.e. after the year 2000,about 30–40 laryngectomies are estimated to be performed a year thus forming about 3–4% of overall major head and neck surgeries performed which is around 1000 cases per year. 80% of these surgeries are salvage procedures for failed radical radiation/chemoradiation. Aim: (1) To evaluate the role of surgery in disease free and overall survival. (2) To evaluate the prognostic significance of factors that generally affect the surgical outcome in laryngectomies. (3) To evaluate the morbidity associated with salvage surgeries and laryngectomies involving complex reconstructions. (4) To follow up all the patients and evaluate quality of life. (5) To evolve a protocol for selecting cases for primary and salvage laryngectomy. (6) To evolve a protocol for reconstructing the pharynx after laryngectomies. Methods: All patients who have undergone laryngectomy at the Division of Surgical Oncology RCC from June 1995 to Dec 2005 are included in the study which retrospectively records the age and sex distribution initial TNM staging and staging of recurrence/ residual disease at the time of surgical salvage, the indications and types of laryngectomy, and reconstructive options used and analyze the therapeutic outcome, disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), voice preservation, post operative voice rehabilitation and quality of life. Major outcome measures Complications and factors contributing to it, DFS, OS, Voice Preservation, Postoperative rehabilitation and Quality of life. Results and Conclusions: An update of the results as on 31/12/05 the final conclusions and recommendations will be presented.( The study is currently on going with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the local Ethical committee (EC) clearance already obtained.and final document is expected to to be prepared by March 2006). No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cathartic Effect of Suicide Attempts Not Limited to Depression

Crisis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Sarfati ◽  
Blandine Bouchaud ◽  
Marie-Christine Hardy-Baylé
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
World Health ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Short Term

Summary: The cathartic effect of suicide is traditionally defined as the existence of a rapid, significant, and spontaneous decrease in the depressive symptoms of suicide attempters after the act. This study was designed to investigate short-term variations, following a suicide attempt by self-poisoning, of a number of other variables identified as suicidal risk factors: hopelessness, impulsivity, personality traits, and quality of life. Patients hospitalized less than 24 hours after a deliberate (moderate) overdose were presented with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression and Impulsivity Rating Scales, Hopelessness scale, MMPI and World Health Organization's Quality of Life questionnaire (abbreviated versions). They were also asked to complete the same scales and questionnaires 8 days after discharge. The study involved 39 patients, the average interval between initial and follow-up assessment being 13.5 days. All the scores improved significantly, with the exception of quality of life and three out of the eight personality traits. This finding emphasizes the fact that improvement is not limited to depressive symptoms and enables us to identify the relative importance of each studied variable as a risk factor for attempted suicide. The limitations of the study are discussed as well as in particular the nongeneralizability of the sample and setting.

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