scholarly journals COMMUNICATION IN ONCOLOGY: WHAT PARENTS OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS DON’T TALK ABOUT?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
N.S. Artomova ◽  
N.I. Hasiuk ◽  
O.O. Kaliuzhka ◽  
M.M. Fastovets ◽  
G.O. Soloviova
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Communication Barriers ◽  
Reliable Information ◽  
Paediatric Cancer ◽  
Information Platform ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Attending Physicians ◽  
Physician Patient

Communication during the treatment process is vital as it relates directly to the treatment outcomes. For patients and their family members, obtaining and possessing reliable information is essential for building successful and strong communication between physician, patient and in cases of paediatric cancer, the official guardians of the child and family members. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyse communication barriers in communication between physicians and parents (guardians), medical staff and parents (guardians) of paediatric cancer patients. Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort research among parents of paediatric cancer patients who took care of their children while receiving programmed chemotherapy was carried out. The information was collected indirectly: the information was provided by respondents remotely and anonymously using Google Forms. Results. The survey involved 106 family members of paediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at Ukrainian medical institutions specializing in the paediatric cancer treatment. 66% (n=70) of the respondents indicated that it was difficult to find contact with physicians; 85% (n=90) of respondents stated that it was difficult to find the contact with nurses and medical staff; 39,2% of the respondents reported the communication lapses with their attending physicians because the latter were busy and had no enough time to communicate. Considering that the overwhelming majority of respondents (79, 3%) noted physicians and medical staff as the most convenient source of reliable information on paediatric cancer, the researchers proposed to create an information platform for parents of paediatric cancer patients in order to provide access to information on the main issues of paediatric cancer. Conclusions. The research has revealed the following challenges: lack of adequate communication between the patients’ parents and physicians and / or medical staff; parents’ feeling unprepared to receive and comprehend information because of emotional trauma; poor communication between parents and physicians and / or medical staff due to the lack of time. A tool to eliminate these communication barriers can be suggested: this implies the creation of a video channel with visual thematic and clearly structured content for parents of paediatric cancer patients.

Differences in practice and preferences associated with truth-telling to cancer patients

2020 ◽  
pp. 096973302094575
Author(s):  
Jing Wu ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Xiaodong Jiao ◽  
Jingting Wang ◽  
Xuchun Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Doctors should disclose the diagnosis to patients according to the principle of autonomy. However, not disclosing the diagnosis and prognosis to cancer patients remains common in mainland China. Objective: The study explored the experiences and attitudes of patients with cancer, family members, and the medical staff in truth-telling. Research design: A quantitative survey with three closed-ended questionnaires was conducted. Participants: In all, 137 patients with cancer, 134 family members caring for cancer cases, and 54 medical staff were surveyed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize all characteristics, and the chi-square test was performed to analyze group differences in attitudes toward cancer disclosure. Ethical considerations: This study was approved by the Committee on Ethics of Biomedicine Research, at the Second Military Medical University (HJEC-2018-YF-001). Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to study commencement. Findings: A total of 59.8% of patients were informed about their diagnosis within 1 week, and 19.7% inferred theirs. The medical staff preferred to prioritize family members in informing about patient diagnosis while 77.4% of patients preferred to be told the whole truth at the time of initial diagnosis. More patients than family members and medical staff wanted the patients to be informed about the diagnosis ( p < 0.001). A significant difference was found between the patients and family members regarding who should tell the patients. Discussion: The willingness of patients in knowing the truth was underestimated by their family members as well as the medical staff. Guessing the truth indirectly may exert negative effects on the patients, and not telling the truth is inappropriate in patients who want to be informed. Conclusion: Disclosure of a cancer diagnosis is a complex process involving medical practice, as well as a range of cultural, ethical, and legal factors. The medical staff should first assess each patient’s willingness in truth-telling and inform about disease diagnosis with respect. Emotional support and comfort from family members are encouraged. Anyone in the patient’s care team, especially nurses, could be integrated in the process of truth-telling.

Care for Imminently Dying Cancer Patients: Family Members' Experiences and Recommendations

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Shinjo ◽  
Tatsuya Morita ◽  
Kei Hirai ◽  
Mitsunori Miyashita ◽  
Kazuki Sato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
The Family ◽  
High Level ◽  
Bereaved Family

Purpose The aim of this study was to clarify the level of emotional distress experienced by bereaved family members and the perceived necessity for improvement in the care for imminently dying patients and to explore possible causes of distress and alleviating measures. Methods A cross-sectional nationwide survey was performed in 2007 of bereaved families of cancer patients at 95 palliative care units across Japan. Results Questionnaires were sent to 670 families, and 76% responded. Families reported their experiences as very distressing in 45% of cases. Regarding care, 1.2% of respondents believed that a lot of improvement was needed, compared with 58% who believed no improvement was needed. Determinants of high-level distress were a younger patient age, being a spouse, and overhearing conversations between the medical staff outside the room at the time of the patient's death; those reporting high-level necessity of improvement were less likely to have encountered attempts to ensure the patient's comfort, received less family coaching on how to care for the patient, and felt that insufficient time was allowed for the family to grieve after the patient's death. Conclusion A considerable number of families experienced severe emotional distress when their family member died. Thus, we propose that a desirable care concept for imminently dying cancer patients should include relief of patient suffering, family advisement on how to care for the patient, allowance of enough time for the family to grieve, and ensuring that family members cannot overhear medical staff conversations at the time of the patient's death.

scholarly journals Friendship and Cancer

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-65
Author(s):  
Rebecca Evans ◽  
Pascal Mallet ◽  
Cécile Bazillier ◽  
Phillipe Amiel
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
School Context ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Evidence Based

Friendships are a powerful healing force for physical and mental illness. The study of the role of friendship for cancer patients has been relatively neglected and academic evidence-based studies are lacking. A literature review of research was performed linking cancer with friendships and social support (other than that provided by family members or members of medical staff). Some studies report the importance of friendships formed amongst young children and often in a school context; fewer studies have focused on friendships amongst adults with cancer. Direct links between friendships formed and/or maintained amongst cancer patients and their precise effects on an individual’s battle with cancer have yet to be explored.

Preference of cancer patients and family members regarding delivery of bad news and differences in clinical practice among medical staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongyi Fan ◽  
Liyan Chen ◽  
Limin Meng ◽  
Haihua Jiang ◽  
Qianqian Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Bad News

Improving the End-of-Life Experience for Family Members of Cancer Patients Who Die on the Oncology Ward: The Three Wishes Project (SCI922)

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 681-682
Author(s):  
Gwenyth Day ◽  
Marilyn Swinton ◽  
Danielle Bear ◽  
Peter Phung ◽  
Allegra Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Oncology Ward

Truth-Telling to Terminal Stage Cancer Patients in India: A Study of the General Denial to Disclosure

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110327
Author(s):  
Souvik Mondal
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Full Disclosure ◽  
Terminal Stage ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Private And Public

Telling the truth to the terminal-stage cancer patients differs socio-culturally based on the priorities assigned to patients’ autonomy and the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. After conducting in-depth interviews with 108 terminal-stage adult cancer patients, 306 family members, and 25 physicians, in private and public hospitals in both rural and urban areas, in the state of West Bengal, India it has been found that even though 85.60% of the patients prefer full disclosure, only 22.03% are actually informed. Though demographic characteristics, like age, gender, education etc., have marginal influences over the pattern of truth-telling, the main factor behind non-disclosure is the family members’ preference for principles of beneficence and non-maleficence over patient autonomy. Hence, only 9.32% of those 118 patients’ family members have agreed to full disclosure. Physicians comply with this culture of non-disclosure as family, in India, is the centre of decision-making and acts as the primary unit of care.

scholarly journals 5-Hydroxyvitamin D concentration in paediatric cancer patients from Scotland: a prospective cohort study

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (11) ◽  
pp. 1926-1934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Revuelta Iniesta ◽  
Ilenia Paciarotti ◽  
Isobel Davidson ◽  
Jane M. McKenzie ◽  
Celia Brand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Relative Risk ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Paediatric Cancer ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Nutritional Data

AbstractChildren with cancer are potentially at a high risk of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) inadequacy, and despite UK vitamin D supplementation guidelines their implementation remains inconsistent. Thus, we aimed to investigate 25(OH)D concentration and factors contributing to 25(OH)D inadequacy in paediatric cancer patients. A prospective cohort study of Scottish children aged <18 years diagnosed with, and treated for, cancer (patients) between August 2010 and January 2014 was performed, with control data from Scottish healthy children (controls). Clinical and nutritional data were collected at defined periods up to 24 months. 25(OH)D status was defined by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health as inadequacy (<50 nmol/l: deficiency (<25 nmol/l), insufficiency (25–50 nmol/l)), sufficiency (51–75 nmol/l) and optimal (>75 nmol/l). In all, eighty-two patients (median age 3·9, interquartile ranges (IQR) 1·9–8·8; 56 % males) and thirty-five controls (median age 6·2, IQR 4·8–9·1; 49 % males) were recruited. 25(OH)D inadequacy was highly prevalent in the controls (63 %; 22/35) and in the patients (64 %; 42/65) at both baseline and during treatment (33–50 %). Non-supplemented children had the highest prevalence of 25(OH)D inadequacy at every stage with 25(OH)D median ranging from 32·0 (IQR 21·0–46·5) to 45·0 (28·0–64·5) nmol/l. Older age at baseline (R −0·46; P<0·001), overnutrition (BMI≥85th centile) at 3 months (P=0·005; relative risk=3·1) and not being supplemented at 6 months (P=0·04; relative risk=4·3) may have contributed to lower plasma 25(OH)D. Paediatric cancer patients are not at a higher risk of 25(OH)D inadequacy than healthy children at diagnosis; however, prevalence of 25(OH)D inadequacy is still high and non-supplemented children have a higher risk. Appropriate monitoring and therapeutic supplementation should be implemented.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document