scholarly journals Usability testing of an electronic pain monitoring system for palliative cancer patients: A think-aloud study

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 1133-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Taylor ◽  
Matthew J Allsop ◽  
Michael I Bennett ◽  
Bridgette M Bewick
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Think Aloud ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Integration ◽  
Affect Patient Care

Pain experienced by advanced cancer patients is often poorly controlled due to inadequate assessment. We aimed to test an electronic pain monitoring system (PainCheck) with advanced cancer patients and health professionals. In all, 29 participants (13 patients and 16 health professionals (n = 16)) used PainCheck while thinking their thoughts aloud. After the think aloud, both groups were asked about their experiences. Think-aloud and semi-structured interview data were analysed using framework analysis. Both groups were generally positive about PainCheck and found it easy to understand but they had concerns about clinical integration. Their concerns related to impact on workload, how lack of response may affect patient care and ability to engage with and use the technology. PainCheck has the capacity to be useful in clinical practice. For integration to be successful, patients and health professionals need guidance on how to use PainCheck and the expectations of users need to be clarified.

scholarly journals Cancer Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions toward Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Preliminary Investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8160
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Reynolds ◽  
Amelia Akroyd ◽  
Frederick Sundram ◽  
Aideen Stack ◽  
Suresh Muthukumaraswamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Transformative Approach ◽  
Potential Use

Recent clinical trials suggest that psychedelic-assisted therapy is a promising intervention for reducing anxiety and depression and ameliorating existential despair in advanced cancer patients. However, little is known about perceptions toward this treatment from the key gatekeepers to this population. The current study aimed to understand the perceptions of cancer healthcare professionals about the potential use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in advanced cancer patients. Twelve cancer healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers took part in a semi-structured interview which explored their awareness and perceptions toward psychedelic-assisted therapy with advanced cancer patients. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Four inter-connected themes were identified. Two themes relate to the role and responsibility of being a cancer healthcare worker: (1) ‘beneficence: a need to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients’ and (2) ‘non-maleficence: keeping vulnerable cancer patients safe’, and two themes relate specifically to the potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy as (3) ‘a transformative approach with the potential for real benefit’ but that (4) ‘new frontiers can be risky endeavours’. The findings from this study suggest intrigue and openness in cancer healthcare professionals to the idea of utilising psychedelic-assisted therapy with advanced cancer patients. Openness to the concept appeared to be driven by a lack of current effective treatment options and a desire to alleviate suffering. However, acceptance was tempered by concerns around safety and the importance of conducting rigorous, well-designed trials. The results from this study provide a useful basis for engaging with healthcare professionals about future research, trial design and potential clinical applications.

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