An Innovative Tai Chi and Qigong Telehealth Service in Supportive Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Supportive cancer care services, including acupuncture and Tai Chi and Qigong (TQ), are offered to cancer patients to manage cancer symptoms and/or treatment-related adverse effects and improve quality of life during and after standard care. Normal face-to-face acupuncture and TQ group services were suspended during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to reduce the risk of transmission of infection and meet social distancing restriction guidelines. This led to a sudden shift from face-to-face sessions to telehealth sessions in the health care system. We report patients’ experiences of TQ telehealth services as a new initiative developed for cancer care. We found that delivery of TQ telehealth is feasible and resulted in increased overall patient satisfaction with cancer care services during the lockdown. The delivery of TQ telehealth experiences and challenges are discussed.

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An Overview of Telemedicine Technologies for Healthcare Applications

Wearable Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-5484-4.ch031 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 732-759 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. S. Pandian

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Physiological Monitoring ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Healthcare Applications ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Face To Face ◽

Communications Technologies ◽

The Face

Medical care generally relies on the face-to-face encounter between patients and doctors. In places where face-to-face encounters are not possible, telemedicine technologies are relied upon to link patients to specialist doctors for consultation and to obtain opinion. The telemedicine technologies provide improved health care to the underprivileged in inaccessible areas at reduced cost. Telemedicine also improve quality of health care and more importantly reduce the isolation of specialists, nurses and allied health professionals. This review papers discusses the telemedicine technologies and its history, the communications technologies that are being used. The paper also covers the advantages and benefits of telemedicine. Also the recent advances that are going on in telemedicine in the areas of m-health, Wearable Physiological Monitoring System (WPMS), Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN). Finally, the paper concludes with some of the drawbacks or issues of telemedicine technologies.

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Can simple perioperative measures improve quality of recovery following ambulatory laparoscopic surgery in females? An open prospective randomised cohort study, comparing nutritional preoperative drink and chewing gum during recovery to standard care

Annals of Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.amsu.2019.05.010 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 20-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emma Öbrink ◽

Johanna Lerström ◽

Christian Hillström ◽

Eva Oddby ◽

Jan G. Jakobsson

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Laparoscopic Surgery ◽

Standard Care ◽

Chewing Gum ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Quality Of Recovery

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MA07.09 Willingness to Perform Multiple Biopsies to Improve Quality of Lung Cancer Care: Understanding the Oncologists’ Perspective

Journal of Thoracic Oncology ◽

10.1016/j.jtho.2018.08.373 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. S380 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

U. Basu Roy ◽

M. Jacobson ◽

A. Ferris

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Multiple Biopsies

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Delivering End-of-Life Cancer Care: Perspectives of Providers

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® ◽

10.1177/1049909117719879 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 497-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Manali I. Patel ◽

Vyjeyanthi S. Periyakoil ◽

David Moore ◽

Andrea Nevedal ◽

Tumaini R. Coker

Keyword(s):

End Of Life ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Comparative Method ◽

The United States ◽

Home Delivery ◽

Care Providers ◽

Face To Face ◽

Care Services

Objectives: Persistent gaps in end-of-life cancer care delivery and growing associated expenditures remain imminent US public health issues. The objective of this study was to understand clinical providers’ experiences delivering cancer care for patients at the end of life and their perspectives on potential solutions to improve quality of care. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 75 cancer care providers across the United States. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using constant comparative method of qualitative analysis. Results: Providers identified 3 major cancer care delivery challenges including lack of time to educate patients and caregivers due to clinical volume and administrative burdens, ambiguity in determining both prognosis and timing of palliative care at the end-of-life, and lack of adequate systems to support non-face-to-face communication with patients. To address these challenges, providers endorsed several options for clinical practice redesign in their settings. These include use of a lay health worker to assist in addressing early advance care planning, proactive non-face-to-face communication with patients specifically regarding symptom management, and community and in-home delivery of cancer care services. Discussion: Specific strategies for cancer care redesign endorsed by health-care providers may be used to create interventions that can more efficiently and effectively address gaps in end-of-life cancer care.

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Heart failure patients improve quality of life and exercise capacity with tai chi

Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies ◽

10.1211/fact.10.1.0027 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 50-51

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Exercise Capacity ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Heart Failure Patients

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The Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility, Value-Based Living and Emotional Well-Being in People Affected by Cancer

Journal of Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.18.57800 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽

pp. 115s-115s

Author(s):

E. Smith ◽

A. Gow ◽

L. Forsyth ◽

B. Bryne ◽

L. Howells ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Psychological Flexibility ◽

Well Being ◽

Supportive Cancer Care ◽

Valued Living ◽

Being There ◽

The Relationship

Background: Receiving a cancer diagnosis can have detrimental effects on an individual's psychological flexibility (ability to adapt constructively to reality), emotional well-being and ability to live aligned with personal values, for example, in relationships and work. Higher levels of psychological flexibility and emotional well-being are associated with better quality of life and lower psychological cancer-related distress. In turn, value-based living is positively associated with psychological flexibility and emotional well-being. There is, however, limited research specifically exploring the relationship between value-based living and emotional well-being within individuals affected by cancer. Maggie's Centres ( www.maggiescentres.org ) offer an innovative, multidisciplinary model of holistic supportive cancer care, widely regarded as an exemplar of best practice in cancer rehabilitation and supported self-management. In 2017 Maggie's received 249,247 visits across the network of Centres in the UK, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Principles of ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) are incorporated within the program of individual support, psychoeducational courses and groups to help people maximize their quality of life. Aim: To explore the associations between psychological flexibility, value-based living and emotional well-being in individuals affected by cancer. Methods: Sixty-five people, affected by a cancer diagnosis personally or in a family member, were recruited from four UK Maggie's Centres. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring psychological flexibility, valued-based living and emotional well-being. Results: Moderate positive associations were found between emotional well-being and psychological flexibility (r=.4750), as well as emotional well-being and valued-living (r=.37983). Psychological flexibility was also positively associated with valued living (r=.443474). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant model (F(5,54)=9.35, P < .001), accounting for 41.4% of the variance in emotional well-being (adjusted R2 = .414). Both psychological flexibility (b=.357, P = .002) and valued-living (b=.337, P = .004) were predictors of emotional well-being across all ages, gender and time since diagnosis. Conclusion: The study provides support for the positive associations between psychological flexibility, valued-living and emotional well-being and indicates that psychological flexibility and valued-living may be predictors of emotional well-being. This was a small observational study, so conclusions about causation or change over time cannot be made. Longitudinal intervention studies need to explore the potential impact valued-living and psychological flexibility may have on emotional well-being in those affected by cancer, and so contribute to understanding the potential importance of encouraging valued-living as a therapeutic tool within cancer care.

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Enhancing Quality of Life Through an Innovative, Multidisciplinary Model of Supportive Cancer Care and Rehabilitation

Journal of Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.18.57600 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽

pp. 101s-101s

Author(s):

A. Anderson ◽

K. Verrill ◽

S. Hughes ◽

S. Harenwall ◽

L. Howells ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Outcome Evaluation ◽

Model Of Care ◽

Supportive Cancer Care ◽

Managing Stress ◽

Multidisciplinary Model

Background: Advancements in diagnosis and cancer treatment mean survival rates have improved but as a consequence many people are living with the adverse physical effects of complex treatments, financial hardship, work and relationship stress, and fear of recurrence. Person-centered, holistic care is required to help people maximize all aspects of their quality of life when living with and beyond their cancer, but debate continues around which models are economically sustainable and effective in achieving the desired outcomes. Maggie's ( www.maggiescentres.org ) is an innovative, multidisciplinary model of holistic supportive cancer care, widely regarded as an exemplar of best practice in cancer rehabilitation and supported self-management. In 2017 Maggie's received 249,247 visits across the network of centres in the UK, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The Maggie's program is designed to incorporate evidence based psychoeducation techniques delivered by multidisciplinary oncology professionals; offer personalised and understandable treatment and lifestyle information; and maximize the opportunity for social-support. Outcome evaluation is embedded within the model of care. Aim: To illustrate the holistic Maggie's model using outcome data from “Managing Stress” and “Living with and after Prostate Cancer (LWAPC)” courses to provide examples of the impact Maggie´s makes in enhancing quality of life. Methods: A subset of participants in “Managing Stress” and “Living with and after Prostate Cancer” courses across the network of UK Maggie´s Centres completed pre and post course standardized questionnaires. Results: Participants in “Managing Stress” found significant improvements in overall psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL) (t(40)=3.28, P = .002) and significant improvements in their ability to tolerate uncertainty (t(47) = 3.23, P = .002). Participants in the LWAPC found significant improvements in overall prostate cancer specific QoL ( t(37)=3.603, P = .001), general well-being ( t(37)=2.61, P = .013), and emotional well-being ( t(37)=2.62, P = .013). Also, significant reductions were found in overall negative appraisal of life (t(52)=2.96, P = .005), overall health worries (t(52) 2.28, P = 0.27), worries about the future (t(52) = 2.85, P = .006) and uncertainty (t(52) = 3.89, P < .001). Conclusion: Globally, the supportive care needs of people affected by cancer are changing but the Maggie's model of care offers valuable lessons that can be generalized across varied support settings to meet these emerging needs.

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Evidence-Based Integrative Health Care to Promote Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cancer

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2320 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 609-610

Author(s):

Robin Majeski ◽

Delia Chiaramonte

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Cancer Symptoms ◽

Integrative Health

Abstract Cancer disproportionately affects older adults and presents significant challenges to patients’ quality of life. Use of complementary medicine is increasing among older adults with cancer and these modalities have the potential for both benefit and harm. Thus, it is important that health care professionals are knowledgeable about the evidence-supported benefits and risks of complementary and integrative health approaches in the care of older adults with cancer. Integrative cancer care provides a comprehensive approach to reducing symptom burden in patients suffering with cancer symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment. Symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbance, mood disorder, perceived stress, and reduced quality of life are common in this population.This session will discuss an evidence-based integrative approach to cancer care which incorporates both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic modalities to decrease symptom burden, enhance patient well-being, and improve quality of life. Non-pharmacologic modalities used in the integrative approach to care will be described and relevant evidence for risks, benefits and indications will be presented. Case studies will be discussed to demonstrate the integration of these techniques into conventional western medical treatment plans for older adults with cancer. Diversity and inclusion issues relevant to integrative medicine for underserved cancer patients will be addressed, as well as recommendations for future research to expand access of underserved populations to evidence-supported integrative cancer care. A resource list will be provided to participants.

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Using Technology to Improve Quality of Cancer Care in Resource-Limited Settings

Journal of Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.19.21000 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 12-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

O.A. Silas ◽

C.J. Achenbach ◽

L. Hou ◽

R.L. Murphy

Keyword(s):

Cancer Research ◽

Data Management ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Resource Limited Settings ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Resource Limited ◽

Data Management Software

PURPOSE To highlight the importance of adapting affordable, holistic point-of-care technology (POCT) and data management software to improve quality of cancer care in resource-limited settings. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for as much as 70% of these deaths. METHODS In 2004, the WHO outlined a set of criteria, called the ASSURED guidelines, to promote affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid, robust, equipment-free, and deliverable to end-user POCT. Although advances in POC cancer technology are relatively underexploited, early successes show that the field has significant potential to contribute to improving cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment in low- and middle-income countries. RESULTS The current global disparity in cancer care can be addressed through mobilization of the research community to improve POCT, funding unique POCT concepts adapted for resource-limited settings, and training of scientists and engineers in designing robust data management software, such as the research electronic data capture for cancer research. CONCLUSION Improving cancer care holistically requires use of POCT with designs adapted to resource-limited settings and leveraging software with robust features for cancer research.

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