Exploring the impact of brain cancer on people and their participation

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrine Hammill ◽  
Catherine G Stewart ◽  
Natasha Kosic ◽  
Lauren Bellamy ◽  
Hannah Irvine ◽  
...  

Introduction Brain cancer diagnoses are rising, and the prognosis is commonly life-limiting. Brain cancer symptoms and the side effects of treatment are imposing and harmful. Little is known about the effect of these symptoms and treatments on occupational participation or about the role that occupational therapy can play for people with brain cancer. Methods Sixteen participants with brain cancer were purposively recruited from a single site. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed thematically. Results Three overarching themes were identified: (a) ‘there’s a lot of things that I can’t do anymore’: adverse effects of tumour and treatments; (b) ‘you adjust with adversity’: accepting altered occupational participation levels; (c) occupational therapy: ‘why is she here?’ Conclusions Findings highlight a connection between brain cancer symptoms, treatment side effects and occupational participation. A disconnect was found between occupational therapy services and occupational needs. Further research could explore whether realigning occupational therapy services to address the concerns identified in this study leads to enhanced occupational participation through the journey of brain cancer.

2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110300
Author(s):  
Su Ren Wong ◽  
Bi Xia Ngooi ◽  
Fang Yin Kwa ◽  
Xiang Ting Koh ◽  
Rachel J J Chua ◽  
...  

Introduction There is a worldwide trend towards value-based health care, which strives to control healthcare costs while maximising value for clients. The main concept of value has been defined as health outcomes achieved per US dollar spent. This research explored how clients of occupational therapy services, managers and occupational therapists perceived value in occupational therapy services. Method A qualitative design was used to explore the perspectives of clients ( n = 11), occupational therapists ( n = 7) and occupational therapy managers ( n = 7). Appreciative inquiry guided the two phases of semi-structured interviews ( n = 5) and focus groups ( n = 6). Inductive and deductive coding were used to establish themes. Findings Three themes encompassed the participants’ perceived value of occupational therapy services: (1) outcomes which are meaningful to daily life, (2) a constructive client–therapist relationship and (3) affordable, coordinated and understandable therapy. Conclusion Participants attributed value to occupational therapy services when they encountered personalised goal setting, focused on meaningful outcomes, managed personal costs and experienced positive therapeutic relationships. Enhancing services could focus on (1) developing skills in collaborative goal setting, (2) determining suitable outcome measures which are meaningful at personal- and service-level reporting, (3) encouraging self-management strategies, and (4) emphasising therapeutic relationships and supporting therapeutic communication skill development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Załęska ◽  
Magdalena Atta-Motte

Introduction: Laser hair removal (LHR) has become one of the most popular treatments in aesthetics. Side effects are an inevitable part of laser therapy, therefore managing them is crucial for every laser practitioner to ensure patients’ safety along with achieving the best results. The available references describe the effectiveness of the diode LHR for all skin types according to the Fitzpatrick scale, but the question of patient safety and minimization of side effects and postoperative complications in mixed-race patients remains unanswered. This study aims to illustrate aspects of specific side effects in patients of mixed ethnicity and the impact of those effects on the results of the treatment. Methods: The study was conducted in Poland and the United Kingdom on 216 patients of various ethnic backgrounds. This study analyses the frequency of side effects in a mixed-race group of 32 participants, taking into account their skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale. The patients received a course of 6 treatments using diode laser 805 nm. An objective and a subjective method were used to analyse treatment results and side effects, with adverse effects documented, if observed. Treatment settings were adjusted to skin reaction during the patch test. Results: Objective analysis was different from the subjective analysis of the treatment’s effectiveness. No adverse effects were observed. Side effects such as hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, skin burns, and skin hypersensitivity were found. Conclusion: 805 nm diode laser is effective and efficient at hair removal in mixed-race patients. It is a safe treatment in terms of skin reaction as only short-term side effects were observed in the treated area and no adverse effects were noted. To achieve the best results and to avoid adverse effects it is necessary to adjust treatment settings according to the individual patient’s skin reaction.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Urbanowicz

Abstract Hydraulic equipment on board ships is common. It assists in the work of: steering gear, pitch propellers, watertight doors, cargo hatch covers, cargo and mooring winches, deck cranes, stern ramps etc. The damage caused by transient flows (which include among others water hammer) are often impossible to repair at sea. Hence, it is very important to estimate the correct pressure runs and associated side effects during their design. The presented study compares the results of research on the impact of a simplified way of modeling the hydraulic resistance and simplified effective weighting functions build of two and three-terms on the estimated results of the pressure changes. As it turns out, simple effective two-terms weighting functions are able to accurately model the analyzed transients. The implementation of the presented method will soon allow current automatic protection of hydraulic systems of the adverse effects associated with frequent elevated and reduced pressures.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4020-4020 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Love ◽  
C. Bylund ◽  
N. J. Meropol ◽  
J. L. Marshall ◽  
S. A. Curley ◽  
...  

4020 Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) presents a substantial patient education challenge to medical oncologists (MOs). Findings from our 2005 pilot survey suggest that a significant fraction of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors are willing to undergo AC for modest treatment benefits, but their understanding of risks and benefits may be suboptimal. This project attempted to validate these findings by surveying patients with CRC (Pts) who previously received AC. Methods: 150 Pts who received AC for CRC in the last 5 years were recruited to listen to an audio program on AC featuring interviews with clinical investigators (CIs) and Pts who received AC. Based on this input, Pts were asked whether they would undergo the same AC again for varying absolute treatment benefits. A corresponding survey asked 24 CRC CIs and 150 MOs to predict how patients would respond. The survey also queried Pts about their expectations of and experiences with AC side effects. Results: About 1/3 of Pts would be treated again with AC for a 1% absolute reduction in recurrence risk (ARRR), and about 2/3 believed a 5% ARRR would justify treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between responses of males and females or between Pts receiving oxaliplatin (OX) and those receiving other regimens. ( Table 1 ) The corresponding estimates of CIs and MOs were lower. Additionally, AC side effects were different than expected: 57% and 66% of Pts experienced less GI toxicity and alopecia, respectively, while 38% and 46% of Pts receiving OX experienced greater cold intolerance and numbness. Conclusions: Many potential obstacles exist in communicating with Pts about AC including heterogeneity in Pts’ attitudes towards risk/benefit trade-offs and preconceptions about treatment side effects. The next step in this initiative will be to examine these issues prospectively by evaluating the impact of an audio/web education supplement on the decision-making process. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Author(s):  
Yuk Yee Karen Lee ◽  
◽  
Kin Yin Li ◽  

"Breast cancer is a major concern in women’s health in Mainland China. Literatures demonstrates that women with breast cancer (WBC) need to pay much effort into resisting stigma and the impact of treatment side-effects; they suffer from overwhelming consequences due to bodily disfigurement and all these experiences will be unbeneficial for their mental and sexual health. However, related studies in this area are rare in China. The objectives of this study are 1) To understand WBC’s treatment experiences, 2) To understand what kinds of support should be contained in a transdisciplinary intervention framework (TIP) for Chinese WBC through the lens that is sensitive to gender, societal, cultural and practical experience. In this study, the feminist participatory action research (FPAR) approach containing the four cyclical processes of action research was adopted. WBC’s stories were collected through oral history, group materials such as drawings, theme songs, poetry, handicraft, storytelling, and public speech content; research team members and peer counselors were involved in the development of the model. This study revealed that WBC faces difficulties returning to the job market and discrimination, oppression and gender stereotypes are commonly found in the whole treatment process. WBC suffered from structural stigma, public stigma, and self-stigma. The research findings revealed that forming a critical timeline for intervention is essential, including stage 1: Stage of suspected breast cancer (SS), stage 2: Stage of diagnosis (SD), stage 3: Stage of treatment and prognosis (ST), and stage 4: Stage of rehabilitation and integration (SRI). Risk factors for coping with breast cancer are treatment side effects, changes to body image, fear of being stigmatized both in social networks and the job market, and lack of personal care during hospitalization. Protective factors for coping with breast cancer are the support of health professionals, spouses, and peers with the same experience, enhancing coping strategies, and reduction of symptom distress; all these are crucial to enhance resistance when fighting breast cancer. Benefit finding is crucial for WBC to rebuild their self-respect and identity. Collaboration is essential between 1) Health and medical care, 2) Medical social work, 3) Peer counselor network, and 4) self-help organization to form the TIF for quality care. The research findings are crucial for China Health Bureau to develop medical social services through a lens that is sensitive to gender, societal, cultural, and practical experiences of breast cancer survivors and their families."


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Norbaidurah Ithnain ◽  
Albeny Joslyn Panting ◽  
Rosnani Kassim ◽  
Nadia Amirudin ◽  
Manimaran Krishnan

INTRODUCTION: The concomitant intake of herbal medicine and conventional medicine amongst patients is steadily increasing worldwide. However, concerns have been raised regarding potential adverse effects and drug interactions when consuming both medications together. Therefore, this work aimed to comprehending the perception of Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus (T2DM) patients on conventional medicine and the manner of its use with herbal medicine in managing diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted among 28 diabetic patients in four government clinics under the jurisdiction of the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit informants who consumed herbal medicine alongside their prescribed conventional medicine. This study employed semi-structured interviews, which were all digitally recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. RESULTS: This study found that most of the patients perceived the negative side effects of conventional medicine, which led them to consider incorporating herbal medicine in treating diabetes. Such perception was influenced by the personal experiences of their family members and friends. A majority of the informants utilised herbal medicine as a complementary consumption to conventional medicine as opposed to implementing it as an alternative. However, they would alter the dosage and intake time of conventional medicine for several reasons, such as to complement their herbal medicine intake, being fed-up with conventional medicine, and reduce the risk of its side effects. Lastly, this study revealed that some of the patients noted their intention to discontinue conventional medicine, while some even tried to quit. CONCLUSIONS: A complete understanding of patient’s perceptions regarding conventional medicine and its usage with herbal medicine will aid healthcare providers to deliver education on the importance of conventional medicine usage compliance. Additionally, people should be aware that its combination with herbal medicine when consumed may present adverse effects and subsequently cause serious health problems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 542-542
Author(s):  
Xinni Song ◽  
Susan Faye Dent ◽  
Shailendra Verma ◽  
Mark J. Clemons ◽  
Nadine A. Graham ◽  
...  

542 Background: Numerous studies have documented the toxicities of endocrine therapy (ET) for early breast cancer (EBC) and their deleterious impact on quality of life and adherence. However, little is known about the factors that underlie patient's susceptibility to report toxicities. The identification of risk factors for toxicities from ET is important as it would allow early targeting of symptom management interventions for women more vulnerable to adverse effects of ET. This prospective study aims to examine the impact of pre-treatment perceptions of EBC, ET beliefs and fear of breast cancer (BC) recurrence (FBCR) on toxicities reported after 6 months of ET. Methods: Women diagnosed with EBC completed a survey prior to initiating endocrine therapy, then at 3, 6 and 12 months. Standardized self-report instruments were used to assess EBC perceptions, ET beliefs, FBCR and toxicities. Clinical and treatment variables were also evaluated. Univariate analyses and mulitivariate regression were conducted to identify factors associated (p<0.1) with side effects at 6 months. Results: Since 9/2010, 173 patients have consented and 84 (mean age = 60 y) have completed the questionnaires at baseline and after 6 months of ET. Controlling for age, none of the clinical or treatment variables (stage of disease, type of surgery, receipt of chemotherapy and radiation therapy) were significant univariate predictors of toxicities. In multiple regression, stronger perceptions that BC has serious consequences on their lives (β=0.218, p<0.05), greater concerns about the adverse effects of ET (β=0.215, p<0.05) and higher levels of FBCR (β=0.316, p<0.01) at baseline were associated with higher levels of reported toxicities. Conclusions: Baseline psychological factors predicted level of patient-reported toxicities to a larger extent than clinical/treatment factors. How patients perceived their illness, their beliefs about ET side effects and their fear of cancer recurrence are strongly associated with side effects experienced after 6 months of ET. These results could facilitate the identification of a subgroup of patients for early interventions to improve symptom management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Barcelos Pontes ◽  
Katie Mah ◽  
Adrianne K Arnold ◽  
Helene J Polatajko ◽  
Jane A Davis

Introduction Children with mobility difficulties are thought to share similar participation repertoires due to the impact of their physical impairments. However, with these children, as with all others, individual differences and contexts should mediate occupational repertoires and experiences, resulting in participation differences, at least in part. This study aimed to explore the occupational repertoires of children with mobility difficulties and their view of their occupational participation. Methods Five children with mobility difficulties were assessed using the paediatric activity card sort, to establish their occupational repertoires. Semi-structured interviews were used to understand the children’s occupational participation. Findings Our findings suggest that children with mobility issues are more likely to participate in quiet occupations, but not exclusively. The children defined participation in their own way. Conclusion The knowledge about how children with mobility difficulties understand participation in occupation can help occupational therapists to establish goals with their clients and personalise interventions.


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