scholarly journals Lifestyle advice to cancer survivors: a qualitative study on the perspectives of health professionals

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Koutoukidis
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Lifestyle Advice

scholarly journals Lifestyle advice to cancer survivors: a qualitative study on the perspectives of health professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (OCE1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A. Koutoukidis ◽  
S. Lopes ◽  
A. Fisher ◽  
H. Croker ◽  
K. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Lifestyle Advice

scholarly journals Incorporating cancer risk information into general practice: a qualitative study using focus groups with health professionals

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (656) ◽  
pp. e218-e226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet A Usher-Smith ◽  
Barbora Silarova ◽  
Alison Ward ◽  
Jane Youell ◽  
Kenneth R Muir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Risk Information ◽  
Lifestyle Advice ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

BackgroundIt is estimated that approximately 40% of all cases of cancer are attributable to lifestyle factors. Providing people with personalised information about their future risk of cancer may help promote behaviour change.AimTo explore the views of health professionals on incorporating personalised cancer risk information, based on lifestyle factors, into general practice.Design and settingQualitative study using data from six focus groups with a total of 24 general practice health professionals from the NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group in England.MethodThe focus groups were guided by a schedule covering current provision of lifestyle advice relating to cancer and views on incorporating personalised cancer risk information. Data were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and then analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsProviding lifestyle advice was viewed as a core activity within general practice but the influence of lifestyle on cancer risk was rarely discussed. The word ‘cancer’ was seen as a potentially powerful motivator for lifestyle change but the fact that it could generate health anxiety was also recognised. Most focus group participants felt that a numerical risk estimate was more likely to influence behaviour than generic advice. All felt that general practice should provide this information, but there was a clear need for additional resources for it to be offered widely.ConclusionStudy participants were in support of providing personalised cancer risk information in general practice. The findings highlight a number of potential benefits and challenges that will inform the future development of interventions in general practice to promote behaviour change for cancer prevention.

scholarly journals Lifestyle advice to cancer survivors: a qualitative study on the perspectives of health professionals

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e020313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios A Koutoukidis ◽  
Sonia Lopes ◽  
Abigail Fisher ◽  
Kate Williams ◽  
Helen Croker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Current Status ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Lifestyle Advice

ObjectivesAdoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours has shown promising effectiveness in reducing the high morbidity burden of cancer survivors. Health professionals (HPs) are well suited to provide lifestyle advice but few survivors report receiving guidance from them. This study aimed to explore HPs’ perspective of lifestyle advice (on healthy eating, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol) for cancer survivors.DesignIn-depth semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone or face to face. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Setting and participantsTwenty-one UK HPs working in secondary care with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer survivors were interviewed.ResultsThe overarching theme was that HPs’ desire to provide lifestyle advice was not necessarily matched by knowledge and action. Three main themes were identified: (1) survivorship-centred barriers to provision, (2) HP-centred barriers to provision, and (3) optimal delivery of lifestyle advice. Results suggested that HPs’ perceptions of survivors’ current status of practising health behaviours, their perceived socioeconomic barriers and ability to practise health behaviours, and HPs’ fear for potential loss of connection with the patient influenced provision of lifestyle advice. Further factors included HPs’ knowledge of healthy lifestyle guidelines, feeling that they were not the ‘right person’ to provide advice, and lack of time and resources. HPs stressed that the optimal delivery of lifestyle advice should (1) be tailored to the individual and delivered throughout the cancer journey, (2) be focused on small and achievable changes framed as part of their treatment regimen and (3) be cost-effective for wide-scale implementation.ConclusionsIncorporation of the identified barriers when developing HP training programmes and lifestyle interventions could increase the probability of successful behavioural change, and thus improve outcomes for cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Medication Experience and Adherence to Oral Chemotherapy: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ and Health Professionals’ Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4266
Author(s):  
Amparo Talens ◽  
Mercedes Guilabert ◽  
Blanca Lumbreras ◽  
María Teresa Aznar ◽  
Elsa López-Pintor
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Individualized Care ◽  
Medication Experience

Lack of adherence constitutes one of the most important challenges in patients undergoing treatment with oral antineoplastic drugs (ANEO). Understanding cancer patients’ experiences with respect to their medication is key for optimizing adherence and therapeutic results. We aimed to assess the medication experience (ME) in patients with cancer in treatment with ANEO, to describe the barriers and facilitators related to the disease and its treatment and to compare them with the healthcare professionals’ perspectives. We carried out an exploratory qualitative study in the University Hospital of San Juan de Alicante, Spain. Three focus groups and two nominal group discussions were conducted with 23 onco-hematological patients treated with ANEO and 18 health professionals, respectively. The data were analyzed using content analyses and were eventually triangulated. The most impactful aspects in patients’ ME were the presence of adverse effects; lack of information about treatment; beliefs, needs and expectations regarding medications; social and family support; and the relationship with the health professionals. Both patients and professionals agreed on considering the negative side effects and the information about treatment as the main barriers and facilitators of adherence, respectively, although the approaches differed between both profiles. The professionals offered a more technical vision while patients prioritized the emotional burden and motivation associated with the disease and medication. This study allowed us to understand the real-life experiences of patients being treated with ANEO and explore the factors which had an impact on adherence to treatment. This understanding enables professionals to have a positive influence on patients’ behavior and provide individualized care plans. Pharmacists’ assistance is relevant to support patients’ adherence and self-management.

scholarly journals Use of symptom checkers for COVID-19-related symptoms among university students: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjinnov-2020-000498
Author(s):  
Stephanie Aboueid ◽  
Samantha B Meyer ◽  
James R Wallace ◽  
Shreya Mahajan ◽  
Teeyaa Nur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

ObjectiveSymptom checkers are potentially beneficial tools during pandemics. To increase the use of the platform, perspectives of end users must be gathered. Our objectives were to understand the perspectives and experiences of young adults related to the use of symptom checkers for assessing COVID-19-related symptoms and to identify areas for improvement.MethodsWe conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 22 young adults (18–34 years of age) at a university in Ontario, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified six main themes related to the decision of using a symptom checker for COVID-19 symptoms: (1) presence of symptoms or a combination of symptoms, (2) knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms, (3) fear of seeking in-person healthcare services, (4) awareness about symptom checkers, (5) paranoia and (6) curiosity. Participants who used symptom checkers shared by governmental entities reported an overall positive experience. Individuals who used non-credible sources reported suboptimal experiences due to lack of perceived credibility. Five main areas for improvement were identified: (1) information about the creators of the platform, (2) explanation of symptoms, (3) personalised experience, (4) language options, and (5) option to get tested.ConclusionsThis study suggests an increased acceptance of symptom checkers due to the perceived risks of infection associated with seeking in-person healthcare services. Symptom checkers have the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and health professionals, especially during pandemics; however, these platforms could be improved to increase use.

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