scholarly journals Organizing Psycho-Oncological Care for Cancer Patients: The Patient’s Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anouk S. Schuit ◽  
Karen Holtmaat ◽  
Valesca van Zwieten ◽  
Eline J. Aukema ◽  
Lotte Gransier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient’S Perspective ◽  
Oncological Care ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
To Receive

BackgroundCancer patients often suffer from psychological distress during or after cancer treatment, but the use of psycho-oncological care among cancer patients is limited. One of the reasons might be that the way psycho-oncological care is organized, does not fit patients’ preferences. This study aimed to obtain detailed insight into cancer patients’ preferences regarding the organization of psycho-oncological care.Methods18 semi-structured interviews were conducted among cancer patients. Patients completed psycho-oncological treatment between 2015 and 2020 at the psychology department in a general hospital or a center specialized in psychological cancer care in the Netherlands. The interview comprised questions related to preferences regarding the institute where to receive treatment, the psychologist who provides treatment, and the type of treatment, as well as questions related to experienced barriers and facilitators to receive psycho-oncological care. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed individually by two coders into key issues and themes.ResultsRegarding the institute, easy accessibility and prompt availability of psychol-oncological care were considered important. Regarding the psychologist, most participants had a strong preference to be treated by a psychologist specialized in cancer or other somatic diseases. Individual face-to-face therapy was preferred above other types of treatment. Several barriers were mentioned to receive psycho-oncological treatment, among which poor accessibility to psycho-oncological care, lack of knowledge on the possibilities for psycho-oncological treatment, and stigma. Most frequently mentioned facilitators were being assertive to ask for help, having a good relationship with the healthcare professional, and the integration of psycho-oncological support within medical cancer care.ConclusionFrom the patient’s perspective, the organization of psycho-oncological care for cancer patients should focus on easy accessibility and availability, delivered by specialized psychologists, and integration in medical cancer care. Online and group therapy are acceptable, but individual face-to-face therapy is preferred. It is warranted to increase awareness on psycho-oncological care targeting both patients and healthcare providers.

scholarly journals PARE0023 ORAL HEALTH IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: LISTENING TO PATIENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1297.2-1297
Author(s):  
J. Protudjer ◽  
C. Billedeau ◽  
C. Stavropoulou ◽  
A. Cholakis ◽  
R. Schroth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Periodontal Disease ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Oral Health Education ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Latent Content

Background:Rates of periodontal disease and tooth loss are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Periodontal disease may exacerbate RA inflammation and complicate RA care. Understanding factors that contribute to the increased burden of periodontal disease in RA is critical to improving oral health and possibly arthritis outcomes. People with RA may have unique needs and/or barriers to maintain oral health.Objectives:To determine from people with RA what are their experiences and perceptions about their oral health, their most important questions relating to oral health, and how they wish to receive oral health information.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with RA patients. Recorded interview transcripts underwent iterative content analysis. Transcripts were initially reviewed to develop a coding guide. Latent content, or larger themes, were then applied to the transcripts. Constructs were considered saturated when no new themes were identified with subsequent interviews. We report identified themes with representative quotes.Results:Interviews with 11 RA (10[91%] female; all on RA medication) averaged 19 minutes (range 8-31 minutes) and were mostly conducted face-to-face. Many believed RA medication contributed to dry mouth. Most participants had not previously considered other links between oral health and RA. Themes identified included the need for complicated oral health routines, barriers of cost and access to dental care, and shame relating to oral health (Table 1). Participants preferred to receive oral health education from their rheumatologists or dentists over printed or online resources.Conclusion:RA patients have unique needs relating to oral health and report poor oral quality of life. Strategies to optimize oral health in RA may include educational tools for optimizing oral self-care appropriate for RA, and improved access to oral care professionals who are aware of the needs of arthritis patients.Disclosure of Interests:Jennifer Protudjer: None declared, Corrie Billedeau: None declared, Chrysi Stavropoulou: None declared, Anastasia Cholakis: None declared, Robert Schroth: None declared, Carol Hitchon Grant/research support from: UCB Canada; Pfizer Canada

scholarly journals Triaging and adaptations of surveillance of cancer services in the COVID pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Shirley Lewis ◽  
Lavanya Gurram ◽  
Umesh Velu ◽  
Krishna Sharan
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Examination ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly challenged the access to cancer care and follow-up for a patient with cancer. Methods: Based on published literature and our experiences, it is reasonable to presume that clinical examination and follow-up visits have been significantly curtailed worldwide in order to adhere to the new norms during the pandemic. Although telephonic and telemedicine consultations may help bridge a few gaps, completely dispensing with in-person consultation has its challenges, especially in low middle-income countries. Telephonic consultations could facilitate triaging of ambulatory cancer patients and allocation of face-to-face consultations for high priority patients. Conclusions: We propose a telephonic consultation-based triaging approach for ambulatory cancer patients in order to identify those needing in-hospital consultations.

scholarly journals A Comparative Analysis of the Perception of Cancer Patients and Healthcare Providers (Oncology Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers) in Support of Integrated Community-Linked Cancer Plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11517
Author(s):  
Young Ae Kim ◽  
Min Gee Choi ◽  
E Hwa Yun ◽  
So-Youn Jung ◽  
Ah Kyung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Future Research Project ◽  
Linked Services

This study aimed to examine the awareness and status of cancer patients and healthcare providers (physicians, nurses and social workers) regarding community linkage, in order to establish a desirable care plan model in a future research project. The survey was conducted via two methods: face-to-face for cancer patients (n = 308) and oncology physicians (n = 210), and due to COVID-19 circumstances, online for nurses (n = 200) and social workers (n = 313). As a result, more than 95% of the healthcare providers responded that cancer patients required community-linked services and discharge plans, whereas 50.7% and 79.2% of cancer patients noted the importance of community-linked services and discharge plans, respectively. Social workers, among healthcare providers, showed the most positive experience about connecting patients to community services since 69.7% of them responded as “excellent”. However, as a group, cancer patients considered the necessity of community-linked service as less important, as only 50.7% responded as agreeing it was necessary. The barriers to community linkage were the lack of communication among the different professions of healthcare providers, and the ambiguity in their roles. The findings of this study will inform future community-linked health research, policies and systems for cancer patients. In particular, an in-depth interview with cancer patients will be required to explore their lack of acknowledgment about the necessity of community-linked services. Therefore, this study is expected to contribute to the improvement and supplementation of cancer policies.

scholarly journals Acupuncture as a complementary therapy for cancer care: acceptability and preferences of patients and informal caregivers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Lefebvre ◽  
Laura Tack ◽  
Virginie Blieck ◽  
Lieselot Cool ◽  
Hans Pottel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Supportive Cancer Care ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background: Acupuncture provides a possible complementary therapy which can be used alongside or following cancer treatment to relieve side-effects for cancer patients and survivors, such as pain and depression. Equally, it can provide relief from symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance, which are recognised as significant issues among caregivers of those with cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability and preferences of cancer patients, disease survivors and their informal caregivers in relation to acupuncture.Methods: A questionnaire was developed to explore acceptability and preferences of cancer patients, disease survivors and their caregivers in relation to acupuncture, including motivations to use acupuncture, preferred symptoms to be addressed, and practical issues (location; cost).Results: A participation rate of 94.5% was obtained, with 116 participating patients and survivors, and 54 caregivers. Acceptability of acupuncture was around 1/3 for patients (34.5%; 40/116) and almost half for informal caregivers (48.0%; 26/54). In terms of preferences, the day care clinic was the favoured location for patients (52.5%; 21/40) to undergo acupuncture, while there was no specific preference on location observed for caregivers. A large number of patients indicated they would be willing to pay to receive the complementary therapy (60%; 24/40). Symptoms of fatigue, feeling listless, and pain were most often identified as complaints patients and survivors would use acupuncture for (60.0%, 57.5%, and 47.5% respectively). For informal caregivers, 48.0% (26/54) expressed an interest in using acupuncture for their pain, stress and sleeping difficulties.Conclusions: This study indicates that many cancer patients, disease survivors and informal caregivers would accept acupuncture as a complementary therapy. They could further identify many symptoms they felt this therapy could relieve. This openness to acupuncture, and expressed preferences provide the foundations for this complementary therapy to be incorporated into holistic and supportive cancer care, both for patients and those supporting them.

scholarly journals Provision of physical activity advice for patients with chronic diseases in Shenzhen, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Hu ◽  
Stanley Sai-chuen Hui ◽  
Eric Kam-pui Lee ◽  
Mark Stoutenberg ◽  
Samuel Yeung-shan Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Physical Activity Advice ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) may best be promoted to patients during clinical consultations. Few studies investigated the practice of PA advice given by physicians, especially in China. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and contents of PA advice given by physicians in China and its association with patients’ characteristics. Methods Face-to-face questionnaire asking the prevalence and contents of PA advice given by physicians was administered to adult patients in three major hospitals in Shenzhen, China. Attitude of compliance, stature, PA level, and socio-demographic information were also collected. Data was analyzed via descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Results Of the 454 eligible patients (Age: 47.0 ± 14.4 years), only 19.2% (n = 87) reported receiving PA advice, whereas 21.8%, 23.0%, 32.2%, and 55.2% of patients received advices on PA frequency, duration, intensity, and type, respectively. Male patients were more likely to receive PA advice from physicians [odds ratio (OR): 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–3.05], whereas patients who were unemployed (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04–0.67), and who already achieved adequate amount of PA (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12–0.71) were less likely to receive PA advice. Conclusions Prevalence of physicians providing physical activity advice to patients is low, there is a pressing need to take intervention measures to educate healthcare providers.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Its Impact on Cancer Patient’s Outcome and Cancer Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (S1) ◽  
pp. 199-201
Author(s):  
Nalin Goyal ◽  
Deepak Saini ◽  
Harpreet Angural ◽  
Richa Richa ◽  
Vikrant Kaushal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Immunocompromised Status ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Patient’S Outcome ◽  
Care System

The current coronavirus pandemic has severely impacted the health care system in India and all around the world. All aspects of cancer care, including screening, investigations, treatment, clinical trials and research, have been affected as resources are diverted to combat the pandemic. Cancer patients are more susceptible to infections due to their immunocompromised status, either due to disease or therapy, and subsequently, this may result in in poor outcome, especially in case of coronavirus infection. Multiple studies have shown adverse impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients in form of higher mortality with haematological malignancy being worst affected, and interval between last oncological treatment and infection playing an important role in affecting the prognosis. Impact on clinical trials in oncology has been severe. Enrolment has decreased significantly, many trials have been suspended, and ongoing trials are facing problems with patient evaluations leading to impact on quality of data being generated. Telemedicine is now being used to overcome some of these problems but it has its own limitations and should be used judiciously. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to look into the shortcomings of our cancer care system and to find out ways to overcome them.

Fear of receiving less effective care: A barrier to effective cancer care cost communication.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18339-e18339
Author(s):  
Sokbom Kang ◽  
Yelee Yu
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Financial Status ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
The Cost ◽  
To Receive

e18339 Background: Increasing financial burden in cancer care promoted cost communication as an intervention to the problem. We explored patients’ attitudes and concerns for the physician-patient communication of the costs of cancer care. Methods: From an oncology outpatient clinic, patients were recruited and interviewed using a 29-item questionnaire. The questionnaire includes basic and financial characteristics, attitudes toward cost-communication, and experience of cost-communication with oncologists. Results: Among 292 patients with gynecologic cancer, 68% were found to have an income below the nation’s average households income. Although the majority (81%) of patients have a positive attitude toward patient-physician cancer care cost-communication, however, only 19% of them wanted to discuss the cost with their physicians - 33% of them did not want to disclose their financial status to health care providers and 48% wanted to discuss the cost with other providers than their physicians. In addition, while 87% preferred to be informed about costs for various treatment options, 86% of them did not want to receive cost-effective treatment and preferred to receive the most effective treatment regardless of their financial status. Compared with non-cancer patients (n = 83), significantly more patients had a negative attitude to disclosing their financial status especially to their physician (22% vs. 11%, P = 0.024). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of cancer patients had concerns that cost communication with their physician may interfere with their opportunity to access the best care options. To facilitate cost communication, oncologists should understand such concerns and making a thoughtful effort to relieve the concern during cost communication.

Diagnosis Disclosure Preferences of Cancer Patients in Egypt: A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110410
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdel-hafeez ◽  
Hadeer I. Abdel-Aziz ◽  
Ahmad Hassan ◽  
Dina E. Farag ◽  
Wessam A. El-Sherief ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diagnosis Disclosure ◽  
To Receive

Background: Although diagnosis disclosure to cancer patients has important roles in cancer care, it is not a routine practice in countries like Egypt. Respecting patients’ autonomy and responding to their preferences are among the factors that should guide the practice of cancer diagnosis disclosure. Objectives: To assess the preferences of Egyptian cancer patients regarding the disclosure of cancer diagnosis and to determine factors that may affect their preferences. Methods: The study included 295 patients aware of their cancer diagnosis from 3 cancer care facilities in Egypt. Patients were asked if they would have preferred to be informed of the diagnosis or not, whom they would have preferred to receive the diagnosis information from, and if they would have preferred to tell their families or not. Results: The vast majority (91%) of the included patients preferred to be informed about their diagnosis, 59% preferred to disclose the diagnosis to their families and 66% preferred to receive the diagnosis information from a physician. In univariate analysis, male gender, higher education level and employment were significantly associated with the preference for disclosure. None of the studied variables associated significantly with the preferences in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The majority of Egyptian cancer patients in our study preferred to be informed about their diagnosis, which should be respected. The results may help in changing the diagnosis disclosure practice of health care professionals and refuting the misconception of family caregivers about cancer diagnosis disclosure in Egypt and countries with similar culture.

Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions in Cancer Survivors

2021 ◽  
pp. 528-534
Author(s):  
Chloe Grimmett ◽  
Rebecca J. Beeken ◽  
Abigail Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Survival Data ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Care Package ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
Behavioral Trials ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients

The field of exercise oncology has developed such that it is clear that people affected by cancer should be encouraged to be physically active from the point of diagnosis; indeed, this is now a key component of the survivorship care package in many countries. However, there are still gaps in the evidence. The majority of evidence for the benefits of exercise after cancer comes from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer patients, usually without metastatic disease. Trials have usually been rated as low to moderate in quality, and although double-blinding will always be an issue in behavioral trials, there is a need to approach exercise studies with the rigor applied to drug trials if it is to be considered an adjuvant cancer therapy. Additionally, there are still gaps around the most appropriate types of exercise for specific cancer sites and how best to implement exercise as part of cancer care, balancing interventions that are likely to reach a large number of patients (e.g., remote, digital) versus those that may have greater benefit (e.g., supervised, face to face). Finally, while observational data are strongly supportive of higher self-reported postdiagnosis physical activity being associated with lower all-cause and cancer-specific mortality, and possibly recurrence, definitive trial data does not yet exist (although a number of trials are underway). Until survival data are generated, caution should be used in how the benefits of exercise are presented to cancer patients, with a focus on the large number of outcomes that have been robustly demonstrated to improve in response to intervention.

scholarly journals The views of patients with brain cancer about palliative care: a qualitative study

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Vierhout ◽  
M. Daniels ◽  
P. Mazzotta ◽  
J. Vlahos ◽  
W.P. Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Brain Cancer ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
To Receive

Background Palliative care, a specialty aimed at providing optimal care to patients with life-limiting and chronic conditions, has several benefits. Although palliative care is appropriate for neurosurgical conditions, including brain cancer, few studies have examined the views of brain cancer patients about palliative care. We aimed to explore the thoughts of brain cancer patients about palliative care, their opinions about early palliative care, and their preferred care setting.Methods Semi-structured interviews and the qualitative research methodologies of grounded theory were used to explore perceptions of palliative care on the part of 39 brain cancer outpatients.Results Seven overarching actions emerged:Patients would prefer to receive palliative care in the home.Increased time with caregivers and family are the main appeals of home care.Patients express dissatisfaction with brief and superficial interactions with health care providers.Patients believe that palliative care can contribute to their emotional well-being.Patients are open to palliative care if they believe that it will not diminish optimism.There is a preconceived idea that palliative care is directly linked to active dying, and that supposed link generates fear in some patients.Patients prefer to be educated about palliative care as an option early in their illness, even if they are fearful of it.Conclusions Overall, when educated about the true meaning of palliative care, most patients express interest in accessing palliative care services. Although the level of fear concerning palliative care varies in patients, most recognize the associated benefits.

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