Women's Self-Management of Dyspareunia Associated With Endometriosis: A Qualitative Study

Given the limitations of medical treatment for endometriosis, self-management is a critical component of symptom management, and providing patients with information and education is a necessary complement to medical interventions. Though 50 to 70% of people with endometriosis experience dyspareunia (painful sex), there is limited knowledge of self-management specific to painful sex. A comprehensive understanding of the self-management strategies used is foundational to developing supportive care interventions that help ease pain and related psychosocial sequelae. The objective was to describe people's experiences of navigating endometriosis-associated painful sex and developing self-management strategies. We analyzed interview data from 20 women using constant comparative and thematic analysis techniques, guided by qualitative interpretive description methodology. Participants (age range 18-44 years) all identified as women and were predominately Caucasian (90%) and heterosexual (80%). Throughout their lives, the women appeared to gradually develop self-management strategies while navigating painful sexual experiences. This complex journey encompassed four phases: 1) viewing painful sex as normal, 2) experiencing evolving thoughts and emotions, 3) coming to understand painful sex and seeking help, and 4) learning strategies to navigate painful sex, these include preparing mentally and physically for sex and communicating with intimate partner(s). Women in this study developed self-management strategies over time through engagement with others who understood their challenges. Future research is warranted regarding initiatives to counter the normalization of painful sex, develop and disseminate patient-facing information, provide education specific to dyspareunia, improve access to multidisciplinary care, facilitate social connections and support, and enhance communication with intimate partners. PERSPECTIVE: In this paper, we report on the experiences of women with endometriosis-associated painful sex and their self-management strategies. Clinicians may be interested in a qualitative exploration of endometriosis-associated painful sex as they seek to further understand their patient's experiences and what strategies can be implemented to alleviate dyspareunia. DATA AVAILABILITY: The data sets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available as participants did not consent to making their data publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Composing adult lives with a ventilator at the intersection of developmental and neoliberal discourses of time

This paper explores temporalities and experiences of time drawn from an analysis of interview data from a critical narrative inquiry of the experiences of young adults living with home mechanical ventilation (HMV). The analysis centers the ideological effects of dominant discourses that shape understandings of time in the Euro-Western world and the ways in which young adults' stories prompt a rethinking of time in health research and praxis. Data generation involved interviews and photo-elicitation with five young adults (ages 18-40). A critical narrative analysis of participants' stories surfaced the influence of ableist, developmentalist, and neoliberal discourses of time and the creative resistance that points to the potential of crip orientations to time in opening up possibilities for living. Implications for practice and research are offered.

The quality, suitability, and readability of web-based resources on endometriosis-associated dyspareunia: A systematic review

People commonly and increasingly rely on the internet to search for health information, including those related to endometriosis-associated dyspareunia. Yet the content of such websites may be of variable accuracy and quality. This review aims to evaluate the quality, readability, and suitability of web-based resources on endometriosis-associated dyspareunia for patients. We searched 3 databases - Google, Bing, and Yahoo - to identify websites related to endometriosis-associated dyspareunia. Two independent reviewers screened the search results against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Another set of two reviewers evaluated the selected websites using validated measurement instruments. Out of 450 websites, 21 met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. More than half of the websites had information on content updates, reported on authorship, or disclosed sponsorship information. The mean quality and suitability scores were 47.5 (SD = 13.3) and 65.2 (SD = 13.6) respectively, thus suggesting generally adequate quality and suitability levels. However, the mean readability scores exceeded the recommended level for health-related websites. The poor readability of the websites might limit accessibility for a significant proportion of patients with low educational levels. The findings of this review have implications for designing high-quality, readable and up-to-date web interventions for people who rely on web platforms as an alternative or complementary source of health information on dyspareunia.

Advanced Cancer in Young Adults (YAs): Living in a Liminal Space

Young adults (YAs), defined as individuals between the ages of 18 and 39 years, experience unique challenges when diagnosed with advanced cancer. Using the social constructivist grounded theory approach, we aimed to develop a theoretical understanding of how YAs live day to day with their diagnosis. A sample of 25 YAs (aged 22-39 years) with advanced cancer from across Canada participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings illustrate that the YAs described day-to-day life as an oscillating experience swinging between two opposing disease outcomes: (1) hoping for a cure and (2) facing the possibility of premature death. Oscillating between these potential outcomes was characterized as living in a liminal space wherein participants were unsure how to live from one day to the next. The participants oscillated at various rates, with different factors influencing the rate of oscillation, including inconsistent and poor messaging from their oncologists or treatment team, progression or regression of their cancer, and changes in their physical functioning and mental health. These findings provide a theoretical framework for designing interventions to help YAs adapt to their circumstance.

When chronic critical illness is a family affair: A multi-perspective qualitative study of family involvement in long-term care

OBJECTIVE

Those with chronic critical illness (CCI) remain dependent on life-sustaining treatments and increasingly reside in long-term care facilities equipped to meet their needs. The nature of family involvement in care remains undetermined thwarting approaches to mitigate poor family outcomes. The research objective was to explicate family involvement in the care of an individual with CCI who resides in long-term care.

METHODS

In this qualitative research, we used thematic analysis and constant comparative techniques to analyze data from interviews with 38 participants: 11 family members, 6 residents with CCI, and 21 healthcare providers.

RESULTS

Involvement in care entailed family: (1) reorienting their life despite the stress and emotional toll; (2) assuming responsibility for meaningful activities and management of practical matters, yet struggling alone; (3) advocating for care by being present, reminding and pushing, and picking their battles; and (4) figuring out how to contribute to nursing care, but with unclear expectations.

DISCUSSION

The burden of family caregiving was substantial, contrasting the assumption that family are relieved of their caregiver responsibilities when the patient with CCI is in a care facility. Research to address unmet family needs specific to their roles and responsibilities could potentially improve family outcomes and is warranted.

Defining destigmatizing design guidelines for use in sexual health-related digital technologies: A Delphi study

OBJECTIVE

Stigma has been recognized as a significant issue in sexual health, yet no specific guidelines exist to support digital health development teams in creating stigma-alleviating sexual health digital platforms. The purpose of this study was to develop a set of design guidelines that would serve as a reference point for addressing stigma during the design of sexual health-related digital platforms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a 3-round Delphi study among 14 researchers in stigma and sexual health. A preliminary list of 28 design guidelines was generated from a literature review. Participants appraised and critiqued the clarity and usefulness of the preliminary list and provided comments for each item and for the overall group of items at each round. At each round, a content validity index and an interquartile range were calculated to determine the level of consensus regarding the clarity and usefulness of each guideline. Items were retained if there was high consensus or were dropped if there was no consensus after the three rounds.

RESULTS

Nineteen design guidelines achieved consensus. Most of them were content-related guidelines and sought to address the emotional concerns of patients that could potentially aggravate stigma. The findings also reflected modern stigma management strategies of making stigma a societal attribute by challenging, exposing, and normalizing stigma attributes via web platforms.

CONCLUSION

To address stigma via digital platforms, developers should not just concentrate on technical solutions but seriously consider content-related and emotional design components that are likely to result in stigma.

Web-Based Digital Storytelling for Endometriosis and Pain: Qualitative Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a complex chronic disease characterized by pain, including painful sex, that can contribute to considerable sexual function, self-esteem, and relationship challenges. Digital storytelling is an arts-based, participatory methodology wherein individuals create and share their illness experiences in detailing their lived experiences.

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to pilot-test a web-based digital storytelling workshop focused on endometriosis to understand storytellers' experiences of workshop participation. We assessed the feasibility of story cocreation and sharing, including the emotional impact of workshop participation, the acceptability of the workshop for the subject matter, and the storytellers' willingness to share their stories with broader audiences as a method for knowledge translation.

METHODS

This study used a community-based participatory methodology supplemented with patient-oriented research and integrated knowledge translation. Study participants, referred to as storytellers, cocreated 3- to 5-minute individual digital stories about their lived experiences of endometriosis during a web-based workshop (comprising five 2-hour sessions over 6 weeks) facilitated by The Center for Digital Storytelling. Data were collected through participant observations at the workshop, storyteller weekly reflective journals, and an end-of-workshop focus group interview with storytellers. These data were analyzed using a qualitative interpretive description approach.

RESULTS

A total of 5 women and 1 nonbinary storyteller aged 19 to 39 years who had experienced endometriosis for 4 to 22 years participated in the study. We characterized storytelling workshop participation and the acceptability of story cocreation by describing participants' experiences of opportunity, commitment, and connection; complex emotions that were healing; and a desire to share. Feasibility was demonstrated through 100% engagement in the workshops. All 6 storytellers reported feeling empowered by publicly sharing their cocreated digital stories through social media and the Sex, Pain & Endometriosis website.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the complexities of the story-building process, the workshop and the cocreation and sharing of digital stories were feasible. The storytellers found that this process allowed for emotional healing and personal empowerment by offering a unique way to talk about painful sex, which also facilitated a connection among those in the workshop. The use of digital storytelling as a knowledge translation tool shows promise, and this approach also has potential as a therapeutic intervention.

Health and healthcare equity within the Canadian cancer care sector: a rapid scoping review

BACKGROUND

Despite a publicly-funded healthcare system, alarming cancer-related health and healthcare inequities persist in Canada. However, it remains unclear how equity is being understood and taken up within the Canadian cancer context. Our objective was to identify how health and healthcare equity are being discussed as goals or aims within the cancer care sector in Canada.

METHODS

A rapid scoping review was conducted; five biomedical databases, 30 multidisciplinary websites, and Google were searched. We included English-language documents published between 2008 and 2021 that discussed health or healthcare equity in the Canadian cancer context.

RESULTS

Of 3860 identified documents, 83 were included for full-text analysis. The prevalence of published and grey equity-oriented literature has increased over time (2008-2014 [n = 20]; 2015-2021 [n = 62]). Only 25% of documents (n = 21) included a definition of health equity. Concepts such as inequity, inequality and disparity were frequently used interchangeably, resulting in conceptual muddling. Only 43% of documents (n = 36) included an explicit health equity goal. Although a suite of actions were described across the cancer control continuum to address equity goals, most were framed as recommendations rather than direct interventions.

CONCLUSION

Health and healthcare equity is a growing priority in the cancer care sector; however, conceptual clarity is needed to guide the development of robust equity goals, and the development of sustainable, measurable actions that redress inequities across the cancer control continuum. If we are to advance health and healthcare equity in the cancer care sector, a coordinated and integrated approach will be required to enact transformative and meaningful change.

A comparison of the sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer recruited in-person and online: A Canadian cross-sectional survey

Introduction

Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer (AYAs) are under-represented in research. The Internet and social media could increase the reach of recruitment efforts but may impact sample characteristics. This study evaluated the characteristics of AYAs recruited in-person at an urban hospital versus the Internet in terms of their sociodemographic and medical characteristics, and psychosocial wellbeing, and offers recommendation for increasing the inclusivity and representativeness of research samples.

Methods

Participant data from a cross-sectional survey of AYAs in Canada were evaluated. In-person hospital recruitment used a registry to identify patients attending ambulatory clinics. Internet recruitment included notices on hospital, team members', and community partners' social media channels, and email newsletters. Independent sample t-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to identify differences in participant sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics based on recruitment source.

Results

Of 436 participants, 217 (49.8%) were recruited in-person and 219 (50.2%) online. Online participants were more likely: to be white (p < .001), women (p < .001), and Canadian-born (p < .001); to speak English at home (p < .001), live alone (p = .001) and live in rural settings (p = .014); and to be farther from diagnosis (p = .023), diagnosed with breast cancer (p < .001), and cancer free (p < .001) compared to the hospital sample. Online participants also reported higher anxiety, depression, and loneliness (p < .001), and lower social support (p < .001), self-efficacy for coping with cancer (p < .001), and life satisfaction (p = .006).

Conclusions

Online recruitment yielded a more geographically diverse but less sociodemographically diverse sample of AYAs who were farther from diagnosis and had poorer psychosocial wellbeing than in-person recruitment at an urban hospital. Future research efforts should consider partnering with under-represented communities and using targeted and stratified online and in-person recruitment strategies to achieve an inclusive and representative sample of AYAs.

Occupational and Financial Setbacks in Caregivers of People with Colorectal Cancer: Considerations for Caregiver-Reported Outcomes

Family caregivers of patients with cancer provide substantial physical, emotional, and functional care throughout the cancer trajectory. While caregiving can create employment and financial challenges, there is insufficient evidence to inform the development of caregiver-reported outcomes (CROs) that assess these experiences. The study purpose was to describe the occupational and financial consequences that were important to family caregivers of a patient with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the context of public health care, which represent potential considerations for CROs. In this qualitative Interpretive Description study, we analyzed interview data from 78 participants (25 caregivers, 37 patients, and 16 healthcare providers). Our findings point to temporary and long-term occupational and financial setbacks in the context of CRC. Caregiving for a person with CRC involved managing occupational implications, including (1) revamping employment arrangements, and (2) juggling work, family, and household demands. Caregiver financial struggles included (1) responding to financial demands at various stages of life, and (2) facing the spectre of lifelong expenses. Study findings offer novel insight into the cancer-related occupational and financial challenges facing caregivers, despite government-funded universal health care. Further research is warranted to develop CRO measures that assess the multifaceted nature of these challenges.

Developing an Educational Website for Women With Endometriosis-Associated Dyspareunia: Usability and Stigma Analysis

Background

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects approximately 10% of women worldwide. Despite its wide prevalence, knowledge of endometriosis symptoms, such as pelvic pain, and treatments remains relatively low. This not only leads to a trivialization of symptoms and delayed diagnosis but also fuels myths and misconceptions about pain symptoms. At the same time, the use of web-based platforms for information seeking is particularly common among people with conditions that are perceived as stigmatizing and difficult to discuss. The Sex, Pain, and Endometriosis website is an educational resource designed to provide evidence-based information on endometriosis and sexual pain to help people understand the condition, feel empowered, dispel myths, and destigmatize endometriosis-associated sexual pain.

Objective

The study objective is to evaluate the usability of the website and assess for destigmatizing properties of sexual health–related web-based resources.

Methods

We conducted a usability analysis by using a think-aloud observation, a postsystem usability questionnaire, and follow-up interviews with 12 women with endometriosis. The think-aloud data were analyzed using the framework by Kushniruk and Patel for analyzing usability video data, the questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the follow-up interviews were analyzed using simple content analysis. We conducted a usability assessment by deductively analyzing the interview data via a trauma-informed care framework and a content analysis approach.

Results

Through usability analysis, we found the website to be simple, uncluttered, satisfying, and easy to use. However, 30 minor usability problems related to navigation; website response; the comprehension of graphics, icons, and tabs; the understanding of content; and mismatch between the website and users’ expectations were reported. In our stigma analysis, we found the web content to be nonstigmatizing. The participants suggested ways in which websites could be designed to address stigma, including ensuring privacy, anonymity, inclusiveness, and factual and nonjudgmental content, as well as providing opportunities for web-based engagement.

Conclusions

Overall, the participants found the website to be useful, easy to use, and satisfying. The usability problems identified were largely minor and informed the website redesign process. In the context of the limited literature on stigma and website design, this paper offers useful strategies on how sexual health–related websites can be designed to be acceptable and less stigmatizing to individuals with sensitive health issues.

The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Canadian Critical Care Nurses

Objective

Focusing on Canadian critical care nurses (CCNs), the study objectives were to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on: mental health, quality of work life, and intent to stay in their current positions.

Research design

Mixed-methods study using an online cross-sectional survey and integration of closed- and open-ended survey data.

Setting

Canadian CCNs working in an intensive care unit, high acuity unit, or intensive care step-down unit during the COVID-19 pandemic between May 2021 to June 2021.

Main outcome measures

The survey consisted of four instruments: (1) the impact of event scale – revised, (2) the depression, anxiety, and stress scale, (3) the professional quality of life scale, and (4) intent to turnover tool, as well as one optional open-ended question.

Results

From across Canada, 425 CCNs responded. The large majority reported symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (74%), depression (70%), anxiety (57%), and stress (61%). All (100%) reported moderate to high burnout, 87% were suffering from signs of secondary traumatic stress, and 22% intended to quit their current employment. Qualitative analysis of written comments submitted by 147 (34.5%) of the respondents depicted an immense mental health toll on CCNs that stemmed from 1) failed leadership and 2) the traumatic nature of the work environment, that led to 3) a sense of disillusionment, defeat, and an intent to leave.

Conclusion

The mental health toll of the pandemic has been significant for Canadian CCNs and highlights the urgent need for individual supports and systems level changes.

Peer Support Needs and Preferences for Digital Peer Navigation among Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer: A Canadian Cross-Sectional Survey

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer desire peer support and require support programs that address their unique needs. This study investigated the need for, and barriers to, peer support and preferences for digital peer navigation among AYA. A cross-sectional survey was administered to AYA, diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15–39, at a cancer center and through social media. Descriptive summary statistics were calculated. Participants (n = 436) were on average 31.2 years (SD = 6.3), 3.3 years since-diagnosis (SD = 3.8), and 65% (n = 218) were women. Over three-quaters (n = 291, 76.6%) desired peer support from cancer peers, but 41.4% (n = 157) had not accessed peer support. Main access barriers were: Inconvenience of in-person support groups (n = 284, 76.1%), finding AYA with whom they could relate (n = 268, 72.4%), and finding AYA-specific support programs (n = 261, 70.4%). Eighty-two percent (n = 310) desired support from a peer navigator through a digital app, and 63% (n = 231) were interested in being a peer navigator. Participants indicated a greater need for emotional (n = 329, 90.1%) and informational support (n = 326, 89.1%) than companionship (n = 284, 78.0%) or practical support (n = 269, 73.6%) from a peer navigator. Foremost peer matching characteristics were cancer-type (n = 329, 88.4%), specific concerns (n = 317, 86.1%), and age-at-diagnosis (n = 316, 86.1%). A digital peer navigation program was desired by over 80% of a large Canadian sample of AYA and could potentially overcome the barriers AYA experience in accessing peer support. The design of a peer navigation program for AYA should consider the matching characteristics and multidimensional support needs of AYA.

To share or not to share: communication of caregiver-reported outcomes when a patient has colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The importance of patient-centered measurement in cancer care has led to recognition of the potential for caregiver-reported outcomes to improve caregiver, patient and healthcare system outcomes. Yet, there is limited evidence to inform caregiver-reported outcome implementation. Our purpose was to generate evidence to inform the meaningful and constructive integration of caregiver-reported outcomes into cancer care to benefit caregivers, including exploration of the question of the extent to which these assessments should be shared with patients. We focused on caregivers of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) because CRC is common, and associated caregiving can be complex.

RESULTS

From our Interpretive Description analysis of qualitative interview data from 78 participants (25 caregivers, 37 patients, and 16 healthcare providers [HCPs]), we identified contrasting perspectives about the sharing of caregiver-reported outcome assessments with patients with CRC. Those who preferred open communication with both the patient and caregiver present considered this essential for supporting the caregiver. The participants who preferred private communication without the patient, cited concern about caregiver- and patient-burden and guilt. Recognizing these perspectives, HCPs described strategies used to navigate sensitivities inherent in preferences for open versus private communication.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of caregiver-reported outcomes into cancer care will require careful consideration of caregiver and patient preferences regarding the communication of caregiver assessments to prevent additional burden.

Application of Anti-Stigma Design Heuristics for Usability Inspection

User interface evaluation has become important in developing usable health care technologies. Although usability engineering methods have been applied in the design and evaluation of health care software, available heuristics focus on task-work aspects and do not address stigma associated with many health conditions. We used a previous set of heuristics and propose a new set of anti-stigma heuristics to evaluate stigmatization in health care websites. The extended set of heuristics were concurrently applied in a heuristic evaluation and a cognitive walkthrough to evaluate an endometriosis and sexual pain website. The walkthrough involved 5 tasks that required 21 actions to execute. Twenty-six usability problems were identified and recommendations for re-design were made to the design team before end-user testing. The anti-stigma heuristics received worse ratings than the traditional heuristics, resulting in several design changes that might otherwise have been missed. Thus, the new anti-stigma heuristics were a valuable contribution.

Stigmatizing and de-Stigmatizing Properties of Web Apps for Sexual Health-Related Conditions: A Scoping Review

Objective

To review the literature that has examined stigma in relation to the design, impact, and ways web apps can alleviate or aggravate sexual health-related stigma.

Methods

Six databases were searched and 17 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Results

While two studies were randomized controlled trials, most studies were descriptive or qualitative. Stigma may be alleviated in web apps through sharing stigma-related experiences, receiving emotional support, and providing anonymous virtual connections Yet, stigma may be aggravated by implied disclosure, inappropriate content, and stigma by association.

Conlcusions

While web apps were able to address stigma to some extent, some strategies employed inadvertently aggravated stigma.

Healthcare provider characteristics that influence the implementation of individual-level patient-centered outcome measure (PROM) and patient-reported experience measure (PREM) data across practice settings: a protocol for a mixed methods systematic review with a narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND

Substantial literature has highlighted the importance of patient-reported outcome and experience measures (PROMs and PREMs, respectively) to collect clinically relevant information to better understand and address what matters to patients. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the evidence about how healthcare providers implement individual-level PROMs and PREMs data into daily practice.

METHODS

This mixed methods systematic review protocol describes the design of our synthesis of the peer-reviewed research evidence (i.e., qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods), systematic reviews, organizational implementation projects, expert opinion, and grey literature. Keyword synonyms for "PROMs," PREMs," and "implementation" will be used to search eight databases (i.e., MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Evidence-based Medicine Reviews, and ProQuest (Dissertation and Theses)) with limiters of English from 2009 onwards. Study selection criteria include implementation at the point-of-care by healthcare providers in any practice setting. Eligible studies will be critically appraised using validated tools (e.g., Joanna Briggs Institute). Guided by the review questions, data extraction and synthesis will occur simultaneously to identify biographical information and methodological characteristics as well as classify study findings related to implementation processes and strategies. As part of the narrative synthesis approach, two frameworks will be utilized: (a) Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify influential factors of PROMs and PREMs implementation and (b) Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) to illicit strategies. Data management will be undertaken using NVivo 12TM.

DISCUSSION

Data from PROMs and PREMs are critical to adopt a person-centered approach to healthcare. Findings from this review will guide subsequent phases of a larger project that includes interviews and a consensus-building forum with end users to create guidelines for implementing PROMs and PREMs at the point of care.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020182904 .

It's not an easy fix: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy after breast cancer

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) is a highly efficacious treatment that significantly reduces breast cancer recurrence and mortality for women with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Yet, many women do not adhere to prescribed AET. The overarching aim of this research was to gain a better understanding of why a significant number of women diagnosed with breast cancer have suboptimal adherence to AET. A mixed-methods approach was used to explore the personal, social, and structural factors influencing breast cancer survivors' AET adherence, including: (1) an integrative review of patient-reported factors associated with AET adherence; and (2) interviews with breast cancer survivors prescribed AET. In this paper, we summarize and discuss the key contributions of both phases of this research, implication for clinical practice, and how we might leverage the expertise of nurses in practicing to full scope to address the complex needs of breast cancer survivors prescribed AET.

[Not Available]

Chez les femmes atteintes d’un cancer du sein à récepteurs hormonaux positifs, l’endocrinothérapie adjuvante est très efficace pour réduire le risque de récidive et de mortalité. Pourtant, ce ne sont pas toutes les femmes qui se conforment au traitement. L’objectif principal de cette recherche était de mieux comprendre pourquoi de nombreuses femmes ayant reçu un diagnostic de cancer du sein n’adhèrent pas au traitement adjuvant. Une approche méthodologique mixte a été utilisée afin d’explorer les facteurs personnels, sociaux et structurels qui influencent l’adhésion à l’endocrinothérapie adjuvante chez les survivantes du cancer du sein. L’approche comprend: 1) une revue intégrative des facteurs mentionnés par les patientes pour expliquer l’adhésion au traitement endocrinien; et 2) des entretiens avec des survivantes du cancer du sein à qui on a prescrit le traitement adjuvant. Le présent article résume et présente les principales contributions des deux phases de cette recherche, les implications pour la pratique clinique et la manière dont nous pourrons tirer parti de l’expertise des infirmières en les amenant à exercer pleinement leur pratique pour répondre aux besoins complexes des survivantes du cancer du sein à qui l’on prescrit l’endocrinothérapie adjuvante.

Sources of Distress for Residents With Chronic Critical Illness and Ventilator Dependence in Long-Term Care

Limited understanding of the psychological challenges experienced by individuals with chronic critical illness hampers efforts to deliver quality care. We used an interpretive description approach to explore sources of distress for individuals with chronic critical illness in residential care, wherein we interviewed six residents, 11 family members, and 21 staff. Rather than discuss physical symptoms, sources of distress for residents were connected to feeling as though they were a patient receiving medical care as opposed to an individual living in their home. The tension between medical care and the unmet need for a sense of home was related to care beyond the physical being overlooked, being dependent on others but feeling neglected, frustration with limited choice and participation in decision making, and feeling sad and alone. Efforts to refine health care for individuals with chronic critical illness must foster a sense of home while ensuring individuals feel safe and supported to make decisions.

The Revised Champion's Health Belief Model Scale: Predictive Validity Among Brazilian Women

Mammography screening is provided free of charge for the recommended target population in Brazil but participation rates have remained low, and breast cancer mortality has continued to increase. Thus, it is important to identify factors that are associated with poor participation in mammography screening so that service providers can target health promotion messages and screening programs more effectively. Objective: To evaluate the predictive validity of the Revised Champion’s Health Belief Model scale (RCHBMS) for identifying women at high risk of not adhering to national guidelines for mammography screening in Brazil. Methods: We used a longitudinal survey design with a 1-year follow-up data from 194 women living in northeastern Brazil, in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, participants completed the RCHBMS at baseline, and mammography uptake was measured 1 year later. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine the predictive validity of the RCHBMS for identifying women who had not adhered to recommendations for mammography screening, after accounting for the women’s sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The sensitivity and specificity of various cut-off points were calculated to determine the optimal cut-off point for identifying women at high risk of not adhering to mammography screening guidelines. Results: Two subscales of the RCHBMS uniquely predicted nonadherence: susceptibility and barriers, along with race and family history of cancer. The total scale score (with barriers reverse coded) was also highly predictive. For our sample, using only the RCHBMS with a cutoff of ≤ 3.67 (out of a total possible range of 1–5) yielded a high sensitivity and specificity for predicting nonadherence. Conclusion: Study findings support the validity and clinical utility of the RCHBM for identifying women at risk of not adhering to national guidelines for mammography screening in Brazil.

Health-related expectations of the chronically critically ill: a multi-perspective qualitative study

Background

Those who survive critical illness only to become chronically critically ill (CCI) experience a high symptom burden, repeat episodes of illness exacerbation, communication barriers, and poor health outcomes. Yet, it is unclear how CCI individuals and their family understand their health and the importance of prognostic information following hospitalization. The research purpose was to examine expectations about health and disease prognosis of CCI residents in long-term care from the perspectives of the CCI themselves and their family members, as well as to describe healthcare provider (HCP) interpretations of, and reactions to, these health-related expectations.

Methods

In this qualitative interpretive descriptive study, conducted in British Columbia, Canada, 38 semi-structured interviews were conducted (6 CCI residents, 11 family members, and 21 HCPs) and inductively analyzed using thematic and constant comparative techniques.

Results

There was divergence in CCI resident, family and HCP expectations about health and the importance of disease prognosis, which contributed to conflict. CCI residents and family viewed conflict with HCPs in relation to their day-to-day care needs, while HCPs viewed this as arising from the unrealistically high expectations of residents and family. The CCI residents and family focussed on the importance of maintaining hope, and the HCPs highlighted the complexity of end-of-life decisions in conjunction with the high expectations and hopes of family.

Conclusions

The emotional and ongoing process of formulating health-related expectations points to the need for future research to inform the development and/or adapting of existing communication, psychosocial and health services interventions to ease the burden experienced by those who are CCI.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-020-00696-w.

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Canadian critical care nurses providing patient care during the early phase pandemic: A mixed method study

Background

Healthcare workers have historically experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety with previous infectious outbreaks. It is unknown if critical care nurses have similar experiences.

Objectives

The study aimed to examine the mental health of Critical Care Registered Nurses providing direct patient care during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

Design

This was a convergent parallel mixed method study utilizing validated questionnaires and semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Setting

Critical care units in a single large 650 bed academic teaching hospital in western Canada. The critical care units serve a general mixed medical – surgical adult patient population.

Participants

Critical Care Registered Nurses providing direct patient care in the intensive care and high acuity units at the designated site.

Methods

109 participants completed two self-reported validated surveys, the Impact of Events Scale – Revised and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. 15 participants completed one-on-one semi-structured interviews that were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

In the surveys, the participants reported clinical concern for (23%), probable (13%) and significant (38%) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as mild to severe depression (57%), anxiety (67%) and stress (54%). In the interviews, psychological distress was described as anxiety, worry, distress and fear related to: 1) rapidly changing policy and information, 2) overwhelming and unclear communication, 3) meeting patient care needs in new ways while staying safe, and 4) managing home and personal commitments to self and family.

Conclusions

Critical care nurses experienced psychological distress associated with providing care to COVID-19 patients during the early phases of the pandemic.

Factors related to mammography adherence among women in Brazil: A scoping review

AIM

To explore and synthesize the literature on factors related to mammography screening adherence among women in Brazil.

DESIGN

A scoping review.

METHODS

We searched 11 databases for studies published between 2006-January 2020. All identified articles were screened, and data were extracted from eligible studies. We used the UK Government Social Research Service weight of evidence appraisal tool to appraise the quality of the included study.

RESULTS

From a total of 1,384 identified articles, 22 were retained. All included studies used quantitative, non-experimental methods and all but two studies used cross-sectional data. Quality of evidence varied across studies. We identified 41 factors that were investigated across the set of studies. Demographic and socio-economic factors were the most commonly investigated, with older age, urban residence, living in the southeast of Brazil, higher level of education, higher income and private health insurance most consistently associated with mammography adherence.

Utility of the number needed to treat in paediatric haematological cancer randomised controlled treatment trials: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to assess the utility of the number needed to treat (NNT) to inform decision-making in the context of paediatric oncology and to calculate the NNT in all superiority, parallel, paediatric haematological cancer, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), with a comparison to the threshold NNT as a measure of clinical significance.

DESIGN

Systematic review DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Childhood Cancer Group Specialized Register through CENTRAL from inception to August 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Superiority, parallel RCTs of haematological malignancy treatments in paediatric patients that assessed an outcome related to survival, relapse or remission; reported a sample size calculation with a delta value to allow for calculation of the threshold NNT, and that included parameters required to calculate the NNT and associated CI.

RESULTS

A total of 43 RCTs were included, representing 45 randomised questions, of which none reported the NNT. Among acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) RCTs, 29.2% (7/24) of randomised questions were found to have a NNT corresponding to benefit, in comparison to acute myeloid leukaemia (ALM) RCTs with 50% (3/6), and none in lymphoma RCTs (0/13). Only 28.6% (2/7) and 33.3% (1/3) had a NNT that was less than the threshold NNT for ALL and AML, respectively. Of these, 100% (2/2 ALL and 1/1 AML) were determined to be possibly clinically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that decision-makers in paediatric oncology use the NNT and associated confidence limits as a supportive tool to evaluate evidence from RCTs while placing careful attention to the inherent limitations of this measure.

Health solutions to improve post-intensive care outcomes: a realist review protocol

BACKGROUND

While 80% of critically ill patients treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) will survive, survivors often suffer a constellation of new or worsening physical, cognitive, and psychiatric complications, termed post-intensive care syndrome. Emerging evidence paints a challenging picture of complex, long-term complications that are often untreated and culminate in substantial dependence on acute care services. Clinicians and decision-makers in the Fraser Health Authority of British Columbia are working to develop evidence-based community healthcare solutions that will be successful in the context of existing healthcare services. The objective of the proposed review is to provide the theoretical scaffolding to transform the care of survivors of critical illness by a synthesis of relevant clinical and healthcare service programs.

METHODS

Realist review will be used to develop and refine a theoretical understanding of why, how, for whom, and in what circumstances post-ICU program impact ICU survivors' outcomes. This review will follow the recommended five steps of realist review which include (1) clarifying the scope of the review and articulating a preliminary program theory, (2) searching for evidence, (3) appraising primary studies and extracting data, (4) synthesizing evidence and sharing conclusions, and (5) disseminating and implementing recommendations.

DISCUSSION

This realist review will provide a program theory, encompassing the contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes, to explain how clinical and health service interventions to improve ICU survivor outcomes operate in different contexts for different survivors, and with what effect. This review will be an evidentiary pillar for health service development and implementation by our knowledge user team members as well as advance scholarly knowledge relevant nationally and internationally.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018087795.

Clinical significance in pediatric oncology randomized controlled treatment trials: a systematic review

Background

Clinical significance in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) can be determined using the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), which should inform the delta value used to determine sample size. The primary objective was to assess clinical significance in the pediatric oncology randomized controlled trial (RCT) treatment literature by evaluating: (1) the relationship between the treatment effect and the delta value as reported in the sample size calculation, and (2) the concordance between statistical and clinical significance. The secondary objective was to evaluate the reporting of methodological attributes related to clinical significance.

Methods

RCTs of pediatric cancer treatments, where a sample size calculation with a delta value was reported or could be calculated, were systematically reviewed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Childhood Cancer Group Specialized Register through CENTRAL were searched from inception to July 2016.

Results

RCTs (77 overall; 11 and 66), representing 95 (13 and 82) randomized questions were included for non-inferiority and superiority RCTs (herein, respectively). The minority (22.1% overall; 76.9 and 13.4%) of randomized questions reported conclusions based on clinical significance, and only 4.2% (15.4 and 2.4%) explicitly based the delta value on the MCID. Over half (67.4% overall; 92.3 and 63.4%) reported a confidence interval or standard error for the primary outcome experimental and control values and 12.6% (46.2 and 7.3%) reported the treatment effect, respectively. Of the 47 randomized questions in superiority trials that reported statistically non-significant findings, 25.5% were possibly clinically significant. Of the 24 randomized questions in superiority trials that were statistically significant, only 8.3% were definitely clinically significant.

Conclusions

A minority of RCTs in the pediatric oncology literature reported methodological attributes related to clinical significance and a notable portion of statistically insignificant studies were possibly clinically significance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2925-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Understanding adjuvant endocrine therapy persistence in breast Cancer survivors

Background

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) significantly decreases the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality. Notwithstanding the demonstrated efficacy of AET, 31–73% of breast cancer survivors do not persist with AET. The purpose of this study was to explore breast cancer survivors’ experiences and perspectives of persisting with AET and to identify the psychosocial and healthcare system factors that influence AET persistence.

Methods

Informed by interpretive descriptive methodology and relational autonomy theory, individual interviews were conducted with 22 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who had been prescribed AET. These participants also completed a demographic form and a survey that assessed their perceived risk of recurrence. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic and constant comparative analysis to iteratively compare data and develop conceptualizations of the relationships among data. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the quantitative data.

Results

The personal, social, and structural factors found to influence AET persistence included AET side effects, perception of breast cancer recurrence risk, medication and necessity beliefs, social support, the patient-provider relationship, and the continuity and frequency of follow-up care. For most women, over time, the decision-making process around AET persistence became a balancing act between quality of life and quantity of life. The interplay between the personal, social, and structural factors was complex and the weight women placed on some factors over others influenced their AET persistence or non-persistence.

Conclusion

Expanding our understanding of the factors affecting breast cancer survivors’ AET persistence from their perspective is the first step in developing efficacious, patient-centered interventions aimed at improving AET persistence. In order to improve AET persistence, enhanced symptom management is required, as well as the development of supportive care strategies that acknowledge the values and beliefs held by breast cancer survivors while reinforcing the benefits of AET, and addressing women’s reasons for non-persistence. Improved continuity of health care and patient-healthcare provider communication across oncology and primary care settings is also required. The development and evaluation of supportive care strategies that address the challenges associated with AET experienced by breast cancer survivors hold the potential to increase both women’s quality and quantity of life.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4644-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Healthcare system barriers to long-term follow-up for adult survivors of childhood cancer in British Columbia, Canada: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Risk-stratified life-long follow-up care is recommended for adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) to ensure appropriate prevention, screening, and management of late effects. The identification of barriers to long-term follow-up (LTFU), particularly in varying healthcare service contexts, is essential to develop and refine services that are responsive to survivor needs. We aimed to explore CCS and healthcare professionals (HCP) perspectives of healthcare system factors that function as barriers to LTFU in British Columbia, Canada.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 43 in-depth interviews, 30 with CCS and 13 with HCP, using qualitative thematic analysis and constant comparative methods.

RESULTS

Barriers to accessible, comprehensive, quality LTFU were associated with the following: (1) the difficult and abrupt transition from pediatric to adult health services, (2) inconvenient and under-resourced health services, (3) shifting patient-HCP relationships, (4) family doctor inadequate experience with late effects management, and (5) overdue and insufficient late effects communication with CCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Structural, informational, and interpersonal/relational healthcare system factors often prevent CCS from initially accessing LTFU after discharge from pediatric oncology programs as well as adversely affecting engagement in ongoing screening, surveillance, and management of late effects.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Understanding the issues faced by adult CCS will provide insight necessary to developing patient-centered healthcare solutions that are key to accessible, acceptable, appropriate, and effective healthcare.

"Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews in radiation oncology: A systematic review"

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate the methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in Radiation Oncology.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted for all eligible systematic reviews and meta-analyses in Radiation Oncology from 1966 to 2015. Methodological characteristics were abstracted from all works that satisfied the inclusion criteria and quality was assessed using the critical appraisal tool, AMSTAR. Regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with a higher score of quality.

RESULTS

Following exclusion based on a priori criteria, 410 studies (157 systematic reviews and 253 meta-analyses) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were found to be of fair to good quality while systematic reviews were found to be of less than fair quality. Factors associated with higher scores of quality in the multivariable analysis were including primary studies consisting of randomized control trials, performing a meta-analysis, and applying a recommended guideline related to establishing a systematic review protocol and/or reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses may introduce a high risk of bias if applied to inform decision-making based on AMSTAR. We recommend that decision-makers in Radiation Oncology scrutinize the methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses prior to assessing their utility to inform evidence-based medicine and researchers adhere to methodological standards outlined in validated guidelines when embarking on a systematic review.

Comparison of hypersensitivity rates to intravenous and intramuscular PEG-asparaginase in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Pegylated-asparaginase (PEG-ASP) is a critical treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has traditionally been delivered via intramuscular (IM) injection. In an attempt to reduce pain and anxiety, PEG-ASP has increasingly been delivered via intravenous (IV) administration. The study objective was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review to compare and generate pooled hypersensitivity rates for IM and IV PEG-ASP.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted for all epidemiological studies that investigated IV and IM hypersensitivity rates for pediatric ALL. Included studies were critically appraised using the GRACE checklist. Pooled estimates and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for IM and IV hypersensitivity rates were derived based on either a random or fixed effects model.

RESULTS

Four studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were of adequate quality. The random effects pooled hypersensitivity rates were 23.5% (95% CI 14.7-33.7) and 8.7% (95% CI 5.4-12.8) for IV and IM, respectively. The fixed effects pooled odds ratio after adjusting for publication bias was 2.49 (95% CI 1.62-3.83), indicating a significantly higher risk of hypersensitivity for IV over IM PEG-ASP. This risk is far more pronounced for high-risk (HR) patients compared with standard-risk (SR) patients (IV vs. IM: HR ↑35.2% and SR ↓2.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although administering PEG-ASP through IV is preferable for patients, it poses a significantly higher risk of hypersensitivity when compared with IM administration, especially for HR patients. We recommend pediatric oncologists consider treating patients with HR pediatric ALL with IM PEG-ASP to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity.

A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study of Cerebrovascular Disease and Late Effects After Radiation Therapy for Craniopharyngioma

BACKGROUND

The study objective was to describe radiation-induced vascular abnormalities, stroke prevalence, and stroke risk factors in survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma.

PROCEDURE

Twenty survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma who received radiotherapy (RT) were included in the study. A clinical history, quality of life assessment, cognitive functioning assessment, magnetic resonance angiogram or computed tomography angiogram, fasting lipid profile, and fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1c test were obtained.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 10.3 years and median age at time of study was 29.0 years. Vascular abnormalities were detected in six (32%) of 19 patients' angiograms (vascular stenosis, decreased artery size, aneurysm, cavernoma, and small vessel disease). Five (25%) of 20 patients experienced a stroke after RT. Median time since RT was 27.8 versus 9.1 years in patients with versus without vascular abnormalities (P = 0.02). A low level of high-density lipoproteiin (HDL) was present in 100% (5/5) of patients who had a post-RT stroke as compared with 13% (2/15) of patients who did not have any post-RT stroke (P = 0.02). Previous stroke had occurred in 0% (0/5) of patients receiving growth hormone (GH) replacement at the time of study, compared to 40% (6/15) of patients who were not receiving GH replacement (P = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with craniopharyngioma treated with RT have a high prevalence of stroke and vascular abnormalities, particularly those with low HDL and longer duration of time since RT. There is a trend to suggest that continual GH replacement may reduce the risk of stroke. These patients should undergo careful monitoring and aggressive modification of stroke risk factors.

PEComa of the terminal ileum mesentery as a secondary tumour in an adult survivor of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (pecomas) are rare mesenchymal tumours that are characterized by perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation and immunoreactivity to myogenic and melanocytic markers. These tumours can be classified as benign, uncertain malignant potential, or malignant. Because of the rarity of pecomas, their cause and clinical prognosis remain unclear. To the best of our knowledge, no reports in the literature describe a pecoma of the terminal ileum mesentery as a secondary tumour in an adult survivor of childhood embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, let alone any childhood cancer. Here, we present the case of a 27-year-old man with a pecoma involving the mesentery of the terminal ileum. At the age of 5, he had been treated with a combination of chemotherapy and high-dose pelvic radiation therapy for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, most likely arising from the posterior bladder wall. During routine follow-up 22 years after this patient's initial treatment, computed tomography imaging revealed a mass within the terminal ileum mesentery. The tumour was successfully treated with surgical resection, and pathology examination determined the mass to be a pecoma with uncertain malignant potential. This first case of a pecoma of the terminal ileum mesentery arising within a high-dose radiation therapy field as a secondary tumour in an adult survivor of childhood cancer highlights the importance of screening and surveillance in high-risk childhood cancer survivors treated with high-dose radiation therapy. Further research to build a better understanding of this remarkably rare tumour is warranted.

Access to medical and supportive care for rural and remote cancer survivors in northern British Columbia

BACKGROUND

Rural cancer survivors (RCS) potentially have unique medical and supportive care experiences when they return to their communities posttreatment because of the availability and accessibility of health services. However, there is a limited understanding of cancer survivorship in rural communities.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to describe RCS experiences accessing medical and supportive care postcancer treatment.

METHODS

Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 52 RCS residing in northern British Columbia, Canada. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis methods.

RESULTS

General Population RCS and First Nations RCS experienced challenges accessing timely medical care close to home, resulting in unmet medical needs. Emotional support services were rarely available, and, if they did exist, were difficult to access or not tailored to cancer survivors. Travel and distance were barriers to medical and psychological support and services, not only in terms of the cost of travel, but also the toll this took on family members. Many of the RCS lacked access to trusted and useful information. Financial assistance, for follow-up care and rehabilitation services, was rarely available, as was appropriate employment assistance.

CONCLUSION

Medical and supportive care can be inaccessible, unavailable, and unaffordable for cancer survivors living in rural northern communities.

Truth-telling and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background:

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a potential cure for a range of life-threatening diseases, but is also associated with a high mortality rate. Nurses encounter a variety of situations wherein they are faced with discussing bad news with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.

Research objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and strategies used by Iranian nurses related to truth-telling and communicating bad news to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.

Research design:

A qualitative approach using content analysis of interview data was conducted.

Participants and research context:

A total of 18 nurses from the main hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center in Iran participated in semi-structured interviews.

Ethical considerations:

The Institutional Review Board of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and the Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

Findings:

In the first main category, not talking about the disease and potential negative outcomes, the nurses described the strategies of not naming the disease, talking about the truth in indirect ways and telling gradually. In the second main category, not disclosing the sad truth, the nurses described the strategies of protecting patients from upsetting information, secrecy, denying the truth and minimizing the importance of the problem. The nurses used these strategies to minimize psychological harm, avoid patient demoralization, and improve the patient’s likelihood of a fast and full recovery.

Discussion:

The priority for Iranian hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nurses is to first do no harm and to help patients maintain hope. This reflects the Iranian healthcare environment wherein communicating the truth to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients is commonly considered inappropriate and avoided.

Conclusion:

Iranian nurses require education and support to engage in therapeutic, culturally appropriate communication that emphasizes effective techniques for telling the truth and breaking bad news, thereby potentially improving patient outcomes and protecting patient rights.

Trajectories of social isolation in adult survivors of childhood cancer

PURPOSE

Long-term childhood cancer survivors may be at increased risk for poor social outcomes as a result of their cancer treatment, as well as physical and psychological health problems. Yet, important challenges, namely social isolation, are not well understood. Moreover, survivors' perspectives of social isolation as well as the ways in which this might evolve through young adulthood have yet to be investigated. The purpose of this research was to describe the trajectories of social isolation experienced by adult survivors of a childhood cancer.

METHODS

Data from 30 in-depth interviews with survivors (9 to 38 years after diagnosis, currently 22 to 43 years of age, 60 % women) were analyzed using qualitative, constant comparative methods.

RESULTS

Experiences of social isolation evolved over time as survivors grew through childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Eleven survivors never experienced social isolation after their cancer treatment, nor to the present day. Social isolation among 19 survivors followed one of three trajectories; (1) diminishing social isolation: it got somewhat better, (2) persistent social isolation: it never got better or (3) delayed social isolation: it hit me later on.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of when social isolation begins and how it evolves over time for different survivors is an important consideration for the development of interventions that prevent or mitigate this challenge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Assessing and addressing social outcomes, including isolation, might promote comprehensive long-term follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors.

The Knowledge Exchange-Decision Support Model: application to cancer navigation programs

Purpose

The Knowledge Exchange–Decision Support (KE-DS) Model provides a framework outlining essential components of knowledge generation and exchange. The purpose of this research was to illustrate how the Model makes explicit the different contextual aspects implicit in the planning and implementation of two cancer navigation programs in Canada.

Methods

The KE-DS Model guided the collection and analysis of interviews with program personnel and narrative data. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted wherein we compared and contrasted the planning and implementation of these two navigation programs.

Results

The planning and implementation of these two programs was conceptualized differently and adapted to meet local contingencies. The KE-DS Model highlighted three factors that influenced program delivery. First, the structure of health services was shaped by the interaction of professionals and services operating in the region, and the existing health services influenced the program’s approach to navigation. Second, while there were similarities in the professional roles and responsibilities of the navigators, these roles and responsibilities also reflected local context in their approaches to patient assessment, referral, education, coordination of services, and advocacy. Third, these two distinct approaches to navigation have responded to the needs of diverse populations being served by improving access to care.

Conclusions

Evidence generated using the KE-DS Model could ensure a more robust and structured approach to the planning and implementation of future navigation programs. The Model prompts users to make explicit the different types of evidence utilized during program planning and implementation. The systematic collection of new information on program implementation using the KE-DS Model in future initiatives will contribute to an improved understanding of the science of knowledge exchange.

Investigating the perceived feasibility of integrative medicine in a conventional oncology setting: yoga therapy as a treatment for breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

A majority of cancer survivors experience debilitating effect(s) related to their cancer diagnosis and treatments across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains. Timely and innovative solutions are needed to address the adverse treatment-related effects and often disjointed services that breast cancer patients face. Recent studies suggest that the majority of breast cancer survivors are using complementary and alternative medicine at some point along their cancer trajectory. In recent years, scientists and clinicians have examined the effects of yoga therapy among cancer patients and survivors. The current study examined the perceived feasibility of implementing yoga therapy as a treatment service for breast cancer patients at a large urban cancer center in Canada.

METHODS

A mixed-methods approach that included focus groups and self-reported surveys with health care providers (HCPs) and breast cancer patients was used in this research.

RESULTS

Overall, results indicated that breast cancer patients and HCPs were supportive and eager for the implementation of a yoga therapy program. Six themes emerged from the analysis of the focus group and the survey data: (1) the availability of resources and accessibility of yoga therapy, (2) the credibility and transparency of yoga therapy, (3) the understanding of yoga therapy, (4) an educational component, (5) the therapeutic context, and (6) the integration of yoga therapy. Specific facilitators and barriers became evident within these themes.

CONCLUSIONS

Although enthusiasm for the implementation of an integrative yoga therapy program was apparent among both breast cancer survivors and HCPs, barriers were also identified. The findings of this study are currently being used to inform a large-scale program of research aimed at developing integrative treatment services for breast cancer patients, beginning with yoga therapy.

A structured approach to knowledge exchange: understanding the implementation of a cancer survivor program

PURPOSE

The purpose of this research was to describe the application of a model of knowledge exchange, the Knowledge Exchange-Decision Support (KE-DS) Model, to the Canadian pilot of Cancer Transitions, a psychosocial program for cancer survivors.

METHOD

We compared and contrasted the program planning and implementation processes across three diverse sites offering Cancer Transitions. The KE-DS Model guided the collection and analysis of observations and written data according to specific model components.

RESULTS

The use of the KE-DS Model highlighted four pertinent factors that influenced knowledge exchange during planning and implementation processes of this psychosocial program. First, the geographic diversity of where these programs were offered affected strategies for program promotion, recruitment and means of access. Second, the variation of the professional and organizational capacity of the three sites was critical to program planning and delivery. Third, cultural values and norms shaped each site's approach. Fourth, the KE-DS Model identified populations who were included and excluded from participation.

CONCLUSIONS

The KE-DS Model was useful in elucidating the processes of knowledge exchange during the planning and implementing of an intervention for survivor care. This process information will inform future offerings of Cancer Transitions.

Preserving the self: the process of decision making about hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer risk reduction

Women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) gene mutations have up to an 88% lifetime risk of breast cancer and up to a 65% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Strategies to address these risks include cancer screening and risk-reducing surgery (i.e., mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy). We conducted a grounded theory study with 22 BRCA1/2 mutation-carrier women to understand how women make decisions about these risk-reducing strategies. Preserving the self was the overarching decision-making process evident in the participants' descriptions. This process was shaped by contextual conditions including the characteristics of health services, the nature of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk-reduction decisions, gendered roles, and the women's perceived proximity to cancer. The women engaged in five decision-making styles, and these were characterized by the use of specific decision-making approaches. These findings provide theoretical insights that could inform the provision of decisional support to BRCA1/2 carriers.

Women's constructions of the 'right time' to consider decisions about risk-reducing mastectomy and risk-reducing oophorectomy

Background

Women who are notified they carry a BRCA1/2 mutation are presented with surgical options to reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancer, including risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and risk-reducing oophorectomy (RRO). Growing evidence suggests that a sub-group of women do not make decisions about RRM and RRO immediately following genetic testing, but rather, consider these decisions years later. Women's perspectives on the timing of these decisions are not well understood. Accordingly, the purpose of this research was to describe how women construct the 'right time' to consider decisions about RRM and RRO.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 BRCA1/2 carrier women and analyzed using qualitative, constant comparative methods.

Results

The time that lapsed between receipt of genetic test results and receipt of RRM or RRO ranged from three months to nine years. The findings highlighted the importance of considering decisions about RRM and RRO one at a time. The women constructed the 'right time' to consider these decisions to be when: (1) decisions fit into their lives, (2) they had enough time to think about decisions, (3) they were ready emotionally to deal with the decisions and the consequences, (4) all the issues and conflicts were sorted out, (5) there were better options available, and (6) the health care system was ready for them.

Conclusions

These findings offer novel insights relevant to health care professionals who provide decision support to women considering RRM and RRO.

Women's decision making about risk-reducing strategies in the context of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: a systematic review

Women who have a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have up to an 87% lifetime risk of breast cancer and up to a 40% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Cancer prevention and early detection strategies are often considered by these women to address this heightened risk. Risk-reducing strategies include risk-reducing mastectomy and oophorectomy, breast and ovarian cancer screening, and chemoprevention. This systematic literature review summarizes the factors and contexts that influence decision making related to cancer risk-reducing strategies among women at high-risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. In the 43 published research articles reviewed, three main types of factors are identified that influence high-risk women's decisions about risk-reducing strategies: a) medical and physical factors, b) psychological factors and c) social context factors. How these factors operate in women's lives over time remains unknown, and would best be elucidated through prospective, longitudinal research, as well as qualitative research.