Strengths and resources used by Australian and Danish adult patients and their family caregivers during treatment for cancer

Health professional students' evaluation of video resources to improve their communication skills: A co-design study

BACKGROUND

Effective communication facilitates therapeutic relationships and builds trust, therefore leading to positive consumer health outcomes. There is a greater need for undergraduate health professional students to have authentic learning experiences to build their competence and confidence to develop communication skills.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to explore the learning experiences of health professional students after watching simulated communication videos. The videos were created with consumers to illustrate authentic communication.

DESIGN

A descriptive qualitative co-design study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Second and third year Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics students.

METHODS

Data were collected through group and individual interviews and online questions. Thematic analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight students participated in the research, providing insights into how the videos influenced their understanding of communication and consumer partnerships. On a scale one to five, the students gave the videos an average rating of 4.5 Very useful, the video was quite helpful in understanding communication techniques. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data, including: reinforcing learning concepts; navigating communication; authentic learning; and understanding the patient perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Including consumers in the development of resources enables students to connect theory to practice. Watching genuine conversations and different communication styles, better prepares health professional students to develop effective communication skills for their future practice.

Family Resilience and Its Influencing Factors in Patients With Cancer and Their Family Members: A Systematic Review

AIMS

This review aims to explore factors influencing family resilience in families providing care for patients with cancer and to provide suggestions for future research directions.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were searched including Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed and CNKI from their inception to December 2023. The article reference lists were also manually searched. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was used to assess the included studies in this review. The 27-item checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed to report this review.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies from six online databases reported that either individual or family factors have effects on family resilience and were described into five clusters on the basis of the Walsh model of family resilience, including demographic and clinical factors, personal strengths and resources, family stressors, family resilient coping processes and family resilient adaptation outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Family resilience in cancer families plays a pivotal role in coping with family stressors and facilitating positive outcomes through domains of coping. Future researches need to explore factors related to family resilience from dyadic perspectives and to establish multidisciplinary intervention strategies for developing levels of family resilience in cancer families.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO: CRD42024535349.

Feasibility and preliminary effects of a socio-spiritual intervention for adults with cancer and their family caregivers: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Background

Despite significant psychosocial-spiritual needs adversely affecting the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults living with cancer and their family caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a dearth of culturally tailored interventions to address these needs. This study evaluates the feasibility of a socio-spiritual intervention designed for adults with cancer and their family caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa, and preliminarily examines its impact on family/social support, spiritual needs, information needs, health literacy and HRQoL.

Methods

This study employed a single-site randomised controlled trial design. Eighty-eight dyads were randomly assigned to either a socio-spiritual intervention (n = 44 dyads) or usual care (n = 44 dyads). The intervention group participated in a 4-week face-to-face training programme with usual care, whereas the control group received only usual care over the same period.

Result

A total of 82 dyads completed the study (40 dyads in the intervention group and 42 dyads in the control group). The eligibility and acceptance rates were >85%, retention was >90% and treatment fidelity was high (between 88.5% and 94.6%). In terms of intervention effects, the intervention was helpful in reducing needs and improving HRQoL of adults with cancer (F (13, 65) = 24.50, p < 0.001; Wilks' Lambda = 0.17) and their family caregivers (F (13, 65) = 14.27, p < 0.001; Wilks' Lambda = 0.26).

Conclusion

This pilot study established the feasibility of a face-to-face training programme for adults with cancer and their families, as well as its potential for improving HRQoL of this population.This study's findings imply that by supporting individuals with cancer and their family caregivers as a unit of care, both individual needs and components of HRQoL can be maintained or even improved. In current practice in Nigeria, only patients' needs are routinely addressed; caregivers often are left on their own to obtain information and support to deliver complex care in the home.

The congruence and interrelationships of family resilience in couples coping with colorectal cancer: A cross-sectional study from a dyadic perspective

PURPOSE

To assess the congruence and interdependent impacts of family resilience in colorectal cancer couples using the Walsh Family Resilience Model, focusing on coping domains of the shared beliefs system, organizational patterns, and communication/problem-solving.

METHODS

220 colorectal cancer couples were recruited from two hospitals in China, assessing family resilience, hope, family sense of coherence, spiritual well-being, social support, and couple communication quality. Congruence was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and paired t-tests. Pearson correlations, multiple stepwise linear regression, and structural equation modeling examined the effects of coping domains on family resilience. Actor-Partner Independence Model was used to further explore actor and partner effects of these coping domains on family resilience in colorectal cancer couples.

RESULTS

Moderate congruence in family resilience was observed, with spousal caregivers reporting higher family resilience. Key coping domains, including shared beliefs system (hope, family sense of coherence, spiritual well-being), organizational patterns (social support), and mutual communication/problem-solving, were significant predictors of family resilience. Importantly, both patients' and spousal caregivers' coping domains exhibited notable actor and partner effects on family resilience of their own family resilience and partners.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the interdependent influences on family resilience in colorectal cancer couples, supporting family-centered interventions to strengthen positive coping mechanisms.

The complexity of needs and roles of family members during breast cancer rehabilitation: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Family members play a crucial role in supporting women with breast cancer during their recovery. In the complex situation of being an informal caregiver, their own health and ability to support the patient needs to be acknowledged. The aim was to explore the experiences, needs and roles of family members throughout the rehabilitation process of women with breast cancer.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted, involving semi-structured individual telephone interviews with 20 purposefully selected family members of women with breast cancer (13 men aged 24-79 years, 7 women aged 19-76 years). Data analysis utilized conventional content analysis and used "casing" as the analysis technique. The study is part of the ReScreen randomized controlled trial and all participants gave informed consent.

RESULTS

The interviews revealed significant variation among family members, leading to the emergence of different typologies based on their reactions and specific preconditions. These typologies included: 1) The case of the assertive and confident team leader, 2) The case of the frustrated but persistent guardian, 3) The case of the reassured bystander, and 4) The case of the neglected outsider. While not mutually exclusive, the cases demonstrated clear similarities and differences in whether individuals felt secure or insecure in the rehabilitation process and their level of involvement in this process. Some described feelings of being involved and active in the process while others experienced not being involved and described feelings of abandonment. However, regardless of their role, family members reported that their own health was seldom considered by healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds light on the concept of "we-disease," where the role of a family member is interrelated with factors such as their health literacy, supporting role, level of involvement, relationship, and identity during the patient's rehabilitation process. This highlights significant divergence in whether family members perceive the rehabilitation process as a collaborative effort or an individual challenge. These perceptions greatly impact their own well-being and ability to support women with breast cancer, underscoring the importance of recognizing family members as informal caregivers and offering tailored support from healthcare professionals when needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03434717. Registered February 15, 2018.

Instruments for Assessing Family Functioning in Adults Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review of Measurement Properties

OBJECTIVES

To identify instruments for assessing family functioning in adults patients with cancer and summarize their psychometric properties.

METHODS

Psychometric systematic literature review was conducted to June 2023 using four databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Psych INFO, and Web of Science. The psychometric properties of the instruments and the methodological quality of the studies were evaluated using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to rate the best available evidence.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies reporting 13 instruments were included. The instruments measured varied attributes of family functioning and the dimensions were heterogeneous. The Cancer Communication Assessment Tool for Patients and Families (CCAT-PF) was rated the highest in terms of both methodological rigor and instrument quality. However, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES) and the Ice-Expressive Family Functioning Questionnaire (ICE-EFFQ) offer a more comprehensive measure of family functioning, since they assess multiple dimensions of family functioning and demonstrate high-quality measurement properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Instruments to assess family functioning were heterogeneous and exhibited limited reliability and validity. The FACES and the ICE-EFFQ seem to be the most suitable measures for adult cancer patients and their families. Future research should aim to refine the content of existing instruments and rigorously assess their psychometric properties.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Given the profound impact of cancer on family functioning, the initial step in crafting effective interventions is providing valid and reliable instruments to measure the impact of these interventions. This paper could assist nursing professionals in making informed decisions regarding the most suitable instrument for assessing family functioning in adults patients living with life-threatening illness as is the case with cancer.

Evaluation of the understandability, actionability and reliability of YouTube videos for brain, head, and neck cancer information

PURPOSE

Online videos accessed via YouTube are a popular method to provide health education. Videos need to be critically evaluated for educational qualities as the information could influence health outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the understandability, actionability and reliability of videos available on YouTube regarding brain, head, and neck cancer information.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted with a specific search strategy and inclusion/exclusion criteria based on previous studies. For each video, video characteristics and user engagement activities were recorded. Videos were evaluated using the PEMAT-A/V and modified DISCERN criteria. Spearman's rank correlation, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 200 retrieved videos, 37 were included and analysed. The median length of the video was 3 min and 33 s. The majority of videos were published by health institutional and private channels (43.2%, n = 16). Health institutional channels received the highest actionability (Md = 37.5, p = 0.049), while private channels resulted in lower views/day (Md = 0.46, p = 0.001) and likes/day (Md = 0.01, p = 0.002). Animated and narrated videos acquired the highest understandability score (Md = 92.31, p < 0.001). Videos with professional transcripts reported higher actionability (Md = 62.5, p = 0.004), reliability (Md = 3.33, p = 0.028), views/day (Md = 29.31, p = 0.026), and likes/day (Md = 0.272, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

YouTube videos pertaining to brain and head and neck cancer have low understandability, low actionability and moderate reliability. It is beneficial to have a stronger representation of trustworthy and credible organisations for sharing essential health information via YouTube. Including animations and professional video transcripts may improve their overall quality and consumer engagement.

Effects of transitional care interventions on quality of life in people with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To identify and appraise the quality of evidence of transitional care interventions on quality of life in lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND

Quality of life is a strong predictor of survival. The transition from hospital to home is a high-risk period for patients' readmission and death, which seriously affect their quality of life.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to 22 October 2022. The primary outcome was quality of life. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4, results were expressed as standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. This study was complied with PRISMA guidelines and previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023429464).

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included consisting of a total of 1700 participants, and 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. It was found that transitional care interventions significantly improved quality of life (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.40, p = .03) and helped reduce symptoms (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.13 to -0.18, p = .007) in lung cancer patients, but did not significantly reduce anxiety and depression, and the effect on self-efficacy was unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that transitional care interventions can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients, and that primarily educational interventions based on symptom management theory appeared to be more effective. But, there was no statistically significant effect on anxiety and depression.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study provides references for the application of transitional care interventions in the field of lung cancer care, and encourages nurses and physicians to apply transitional care plans to facilitate patients' safe transition from hospital to home.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Effectiveness of Technology-Based Psychosocial Interventions on Psychological Outcomes Among Adult Cancer Patients and Caregivers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Technology-based psychosocial interventions (TBPIs) have increasingly gained intention. However, the effectiveness of TBPIs on psychological outcomes remains inconclusive. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of TBPIs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), coping, self-efficacy, and depression among adult cancer patients and caregivers.

DATA SOURCES

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of TBPIs targeting adult cancer patients, caregivers, or patient-caregiver dyads were included. English articles dated from 2012 to 2022 were retrieved from eight electronic databases, three clinical trial registries, and six grey literature databases. Two reviewers independently screened, appraised, and extracted data. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and GRADE were used to appraise the methodological quality of included studies. Meta-analyses and subgroup analyses were undertaken with statistical pooling of standardized mean differences based on the random-effects model.

CONCLUSION

Totally, 37 RCTs were included in the review, with 35 trials for meta-analysis. Results demonstrated improvements in HRQOL, self-efficacy, and depression among cancer patients and caregivers with varying pooled effect sizes. Subgroup analyses suggested that dyadic TBPIs were more effective in improving HRQOL among cancer patients and caregivers, compared with those solely targeted at cancer patients or caregivers.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Findings value-added to the existing evidence base on TBPIs. An interactive patient-caregiver dyadic program integrating TBPIs into routine oncology care is recommended to improve health outcomes for cancer patients and caregivers. Well-designed future RCTs are required to further evaluate the effectiveness of dyadic TBPIs, with emphasis on coping and self-efficacy outcomes among cancer patients and caregivers.

Family resilience in cancer treatment and key influencing factors: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify the status quo and key influencing factors of family resilience in cancer treatment.

METHODS

Eight electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, CNKI, Wan Fang Database, VIP Database) were searched from 2000 to 10 May 2023. Inclusion criteria were the following: (a) study subjects were cancer patients or their family caregivers, (b) family resilience was measured as a variable, (c) reported factors associated with family resilience, (d) employed either quantitative or mixed methods design, (e) written in English or Chinese, (f) published in peer-reviewed journals. All included studies were evaluated for quality using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

Thirty studies were included in the systematic review. According to our analysis, the family resilience of cancer patients could be influenced by various factors associated with six clusters: (a) demographic characteristics, (b) severe staging and treatment of cancer, (c) psychological and health statuses, (d) family, and (e) social environment. Meanwhile, several specific protective factors and risk factors of family resilience were also identified.

CONCLUSION

Family resilience plays an important role in promoting positive adaptation in the face of adversity in families of cancer patients/caregivers. This study classifies related influencing factors by analyzing both protective factors and risk factors (and some controversial factors of family resilience). We found that longitudinal studies are needed to further verify the dynamic changes of family resilience, and future research should focus on understanding family resilience from the dual perspectives of cancer patients and their caregivers, to provide comprehensive information for health professionals, and facilitate the development of effective family resilience intervention programs.

Family resilience and its influencing factors among advanced cancer patients and their family caregivers: a multilevel modeling analysis

BACKGROUND

Cancer is highly prevalent worldwide. Family resilience is a positive variable that helps families burdened by advanced cancer to cope effectively. This study aimed to describe the family resilience of advanced cancer patients and caregivers in dyads and identify its influencing factors at the individual and dyadic levels.

METHODS

This multisite cross-sectional study was conducted in oncology units in five tertiary hospitals in China. A total of 270 advanced cancer patient-caregiver dyads were recruited between June 2020 and March 2021. Patients' and caregivers' family resilience was measured by the Family Resilience Assessment Scale. Data on potential influencing factors, including demographic and disease-related characteristics as well as family sense of coherence, psychological resilience, perceived social support, symptom burden, and caregiver burden, were collected. Multilevel modeling analysis was adopted to control for the interdependence of the dyads.

RESULTS

A total of 241 dyads were included in the data analysis. The mean ages of patients and caregivers were 53.96 (SD 15.37) and 45.18 (SD 13.79) years, respectively. Most caregivers were spouses and adult children (45.6% and 39.0%, respectively). Patients reported a higher mean family resilience score than caregivers (152.56 vs. 149.87, respectively). Undergoing fewer than two types of treatment and a lower symptom burden of patients predicted higher patient (B = -9.702, -0.134, respectively) and caregiver (B = -5.462, -0.096, respectively) family resilience. Patients also reported higher family resilience under the following conditions: 1) were on a medical insurance plan other than the new rural cooperative medical system (B = 6.089), 2) had a better family sense of coherence (B = 0.415), 3) whose caregivers were unmarried (B = 8.618), perceived lower social support (B = -0.145) and higher psychological resilience (B = 0.313). Caregivers who were ≤ 44 years old (B = -3.221), had similar previous caregiving experience (B = 7.706), and had a stronger family sense of coherence (B = 0.391) reported higher family resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of adopting a dyadic approach when caring for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. Dyadic longitudinal research is suggested to discover more modifiable factors of family resilience and tailored interventions are needed to obtain optimal dyadic outcomes.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales in families of patients with dementia

Caring for people with dementia causes heavy care burdens to their families. Family coping is important in decreasing burdens and promoting family adaptation. To comprehensively assess and understand these issues, we validated the Chinese version of the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES) which is widely used to evaluate family coping. Data for psychometric property evaluation were obtained from 215 family members of patients with dementia. The instrument showed satisfactory content validity (scale content validity index 0.98), convergent validity (r = 0.50, P < 0.01), and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.86). The confirmatory factor analysis identified six factors, namely, acquiring relatives' support, acquiring friends' support, acquiring neighbors' or others' support, seeking spiritual support, reframing, and passive appraisal (χ²/df 1.86, CFI 0.88, TLI 0.87, PGFI 0.68, RMSEA 0.06). This instrument may serve as a useful scale for assessing the coping behaviors of families of patients with dementia in mainland China.

Caregiver Engagement in Stroke Care: Opportunities and Challenges in Australia and Denmark

Globally, there is a rise in incident cases of stroke, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to obesity-related and lifestyle risk factors, including health issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Since the early 20th century, stroke mortality has declined due to proper management of the risk factors and improved treatment practices. However, despite the decline in mortality, there is an increase in the levels of disability that requires long-term support. In countries such as Australia and Denmark, where most care is provided within the community; family members, generally spouses, assume the role of caregiver, with little to no preparation that affects the quality of care provided to the person living with stroke. While past research has highlighted aspects to improve caregiver preparedness of stroke and its impact on care; health planning, recovery, and public health policies rarely consider these factors, reducing engagement and increasing uncertainty. Hence, there is a need to focus on improving strategies during recovery to promote caregiver engagement. In this study, we, therefore, try to understand the needs of the caregiver in stroke that limit engagement, and processes employed in countries such as Australia and Denmark to provide care for the person with stroke. Based on our understanding of these factors, we highlight the potential opportunities and challenges to promote caregiving engagement in these countries.

Re-activating life skills in cancer patients through expressive-creative workshops: A qualitative exploratory study

Background: Cancer strongly impacts on patients' lives, undermining their life skills. This research aimed to explore the perception of efficacy of participants in a series of expressive-creative workshops (ArtLab) designed to reactivate life skills in cancer patients.Methods:Quotations of two semi-structured focus groups with ten participants in ArtLab (Mean Age = 59; SD = 11.19) enrolled at [Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori] have been analyzed through a priori (top-down) thematic analysis which allowed us to identify life skills provided by WHO 1948: Emotional, Relational and Cognitive.Results:Thematic analysis showed ArtLab program's effectiveness, especially regarding Emotional and Relational life skills. Cognitive skills, instead, seemed to be only partially expressed. Sub-themes articulation for each life skill has been discussed.Conclusion:This study provides encouraging results with respect to the effectiveness of expressive-creative group workshops among cancer patients.

A survey of cancer patients, caregivers, and providers regarding familiarity, importance, and utilization of supportive and integrative oncology services

PURPOSE

Supportive and integrative oncology services aim to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. This study characterizes the views of these services among cancer patients, caregivers, and providers at a comprehensive cancer center.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered in 2017-2018. The survey asked about participants' familiarity, perceived importance, use, accessibility, and barriers to 19 supportive and integrative oncology services using a Likert scale. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and a proportional odds regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 976 surveys were obtained (604 patient surveys, 199 caregiver surveys, 173 provider surveys). Patients were mostly female (56.3%), ≥60 years old (59.4%), and Caucasian (66%). Providers were an even distribution of nurses, physicians, and advanced practice providers. Patients felt social work and nutrition services were the most familiar (36.4% and 34.8%) and the most important (46.3% and 54.5%). Caregivers were also most familiar with those two services, but felt that nutrition and learning resources were most important. Social work and nutrition were easiest to access and used the most by both patients and providers. There was a positive correlation between accessibility and perceived importance. Being unaware was the most common barrier identified by patients (38.4%), providers (67.1%), and caregivers (33.7%).

CONCLUSION

Social work and nutrition services were most familiar to respondents, and also generally the most important, accessible, and utilized. Lack of awareness was the most common barrier cited and suggests that increased efforts to educate patients and providers about other services available are needed.

A systematic review of psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life of people with cancer and their family caregivers

Aims

To review the characteristics and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on quality of life of adult people with cancer and their family caregivers.

Design

A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines.

Methods

Seven databases were searched from 2009-2019 using key terms. Included studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies.

Results

1909 studies were retrieved with 12 studies included, involving 3,390 patients/caregivers. Interventions aimed to improve communication, behaviour change and setting short-term goals. Duration of interventions varied from 4-17 weeks. Highest benefit was gained from telephone interventions. Interventions based on interpersonal counselling appeared more effective than other approaches. Studies predominantly focused on psychological, physical and social domains of quality of life. Spiritual well-being received relatively little attention. A paradigm shift is needed to develop psychosocial interventions that incorporate spiritual well-being. More research is needed in developing countries.

Point-of-care used in the treatment of older patients with cancer. The perception and experience of nurses

BACKGROUND

Nursing tasks are changing as the proportion of people over the age of 65 years is increasing and is expected to double over the next four decades. New innovative solutions such as Point of Care Treatment (POCT) are being tested in oncological settings in order to optimise treatment, and this changes the nurse management in oncology. There is a need to explore oncology nurses' perception and experience when implementing the innovations in order to understand the implications for nursing and the treatment of older patients with cancer.

METHODS

Qualitative research with face to face interviews with nurses working in oncology. Sample size (Mean = 8). Data were recorded verbatim, transcribed, and thematic analysis used.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified: a, A great advantage in nursing, b, Change of practice in nursing care, c, Challenges in shifting roles. A majority of the participants had the perception that POCT treatment was an advantage not only for the nursing profession but for the older patients in cancer treatment as well. Monitoring the older patients with cancer at home would prevent them from accessing the hospital and get exposed to viral infections as well as saving them the journey to the hospital. Involvement from relatives, clear communication and management of the device and data transferred is essential.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of POCT in oncology will shift the nurses' tasks on the ward as well as improve treatment for older patients with cancer.

Video-consulted rounds with caregivers: The experience of patients with cancer

PURPOSE

This study aim to explore how adult patients admitted to an oncology ward experience video-consulted rounds with caregivers as a mean for family involvement.

METHODS

The methodological framework for the study was Interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participant observations during video-consulted rounds and semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2018 and March 2019 at the Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.

RESULTS

15 patients participated in the study. Overall, patients experienced video-consulted rounds as a satisfactory way of involving their families in rounds while also creating a sense of presence and comfort. Appropriate positioning of stakeholders could influence the experience of virtual rounds. Limitations included the lack of physical care from caregivers, specifically when patients discussed serious matters with health care professionals. Furthermore, patients experienced challenges in reading body language when communicating virtually with their families.

CONCLUSION

The study provides important knowledge regarding patients' experiences with video-consulted rounds with caregivers. In concordance with patients' experiences, video-consulted rounds can offer a family centered way to involve caregivers in patient rounds. However, there should be awareness in regard to how the technology is used and to which context it is applied.

Current evidence of education and safety requirements for the nursing administration of chemotherapy: An integrative review

PURPOSE

The administration of chemotherapy is a complex task which has many safety issues. Safe administration of chemotherapy by nurses should be evidence-based. The aim of this integrative review was to synthesise the evidence about education and practice requirements for safe administration of chemotherapy by nurses.

METHOD

A systematic search of four databases identified 17 studies for inclusion in this review. Key words: Nurse, chemotherapy, cytotoxic drug, administration, safety, education. Data extracted from the studies included author, year, aims, design, sample, outcome measures and findings. After screening the articles, extracting study data and completing a summary table, critical appraisal of the studies was completed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

RESULTS

All the studies focused on strategies to promote patient and nurse safety during nursing administration of chemotherapy. Content analysis identified five themes: governance, process safeguards, communication, interdisciplinary collaboration and education. Key strategies or interventions that increased patient and/or nurse safety identified were standardised computer-generated chemotherapy orders, barcodes, medication safety procedures, education and simulated learning.

CONCLUSIONS

This review found low-level evidence exists about the education and safety requirements for nursing administration of chemotherapy. High-level research is needed to assist healthcare services to select evidence-based educational and safety strategies and provide appropriately resourced work environments to support the safe nursing administration of chemotherapy and deliver the best possible patient outcomes.

Experiences of cancer rehabilitation: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the cancer rehabilitation experiences of working-age cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND

Cancer survivors have extremely complex needs, spanning physical, vocational and sexual domains. Although cancer rehabilitation services have been found to eliminate or reduce these strains, these services are often underutilised.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study design was employed.

METHODS

A survey of persons over the age of 18 with a cancer diagnosis, enrolled in the Social Insurance Agency in a municipality in southern Sweden (n = 168, 68% women), was conducted.

RESULTS

Patients who used the cancer rehabilitation service (57%) were generally satisfied with it. Of participants, 26% reported not having received an offer of rehabilitation. Of those who reported that they received information about cancer rehabilitation services, most also reported that they received this information from a healthcare service professional (69%); for example, from the oncology nurse or the oncologist, whereas 20% claimed they received the information from the administrator of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. A minority of children and family members of patients received support from the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS

More efforts should be taken to reach patients in need of cancer rehabilitation. Additionally, more attention should be directed towards family members and young children.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

More than one in four patients claimed to not have received an offer of cancer rehabilitation, and an even greater number of patients claimed that their spouses and children had never received an offer for this service either. Hence, there is a communication barrier that needs to be overcome. Health providers should be aware that information needs to be repeated several times, and presented both orally and in writing.