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Crafoord MT, Sundberg K, Nilsson MI, Fjell M, Langius-Eklöf A. Patients' Individualized Care Perceptions and Health Literacy Using an Interactive App During Breast and Prostate Cancer Treatment: Two Parallel Randomized Controlled Trials. Comput Inform Nurs 2023; 41:706-716. [PMID: 36749849 DOI: 10.1097/cin.0000000000001007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of symptom management mobile apps can reduce patients' symptom burden during cancer treatment, but the evidence is lacking about their effect on care. Moreover, if patients' health literacy can be improved, it needs to be more rigorously tested. This study aimed to evaluate patients' perceptions of individualized care and health literacy using an interactive app in two randomized trials. Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (N = 149) and radiotherapy for prostate cancer (N = 150) were consecutively included and randomized into one intervention or control group. Outcome measures were Individualized Care Scale, Swedish Functional Health Literacy Scale, and Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy Scale. In the breast cancer trial, no group differences were observed regarding individualized care or health literacy. Most patients had sufficient health literacy levels. In the prostate cancer trial, intervention group patients rated higher perceived individualized care regarding decision control at follow-up than the control group. Less than half had sufficient health literacy levels and intervention group patients significantly improved their ability to seek, understand, and communicate health information. Education level explained significant variance in health literacy in both trials. Using an interactive app can positively affect individualization in care and health literacy skills among patients treated for prostate cancer, although further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therése Crafoord
- Author Affiliations : Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet (Ms Crafoord, and Drs Sundberg, Fjell, and Langius-Eklöf); Function Area Social Work in Health Care, Karolinska University Hospital, and Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (Dr Nilsson); and Academic Primary Care Center, Stockholm County Council (Dr Nilsson), Stockholm, Sweden
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Fjell M, Langius-Eklöf A, Nilsson M, Sundberg K. Patients’ Experiences of Care With or Without the Support of an Interactive App During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: Interview Study. JMIR Nurs 2022; 5:e39983. [PMID: 35969443 PMCID: PMC9412756 DOI: 10.2196/39983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is often recommended for patients with breast cancer with more aggressive tumor characteristics. As with all chemotherapies, they can cause substantially disturbing symptoms. Most patients receive their treatment as outpatients, which means that they must take responsibility for self-care and management of symptoms at home for a long period. Patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy may not receive sufficient support for management of treatment-related symptoms. For patients undergoing NACT, it has been concluded that information and supportive needs are not always met. In our previous study, the use of mobile health to support patients with breast cancer undergoing NACT reduced symptoms during treatment with the support of an interactive app. Therefore, it is important to investigate how patients experience their care and explore any specific contribution that the app may have brought in care.
Objective
This study aims to explore patients’ experiences of care with or without the support of an interactive app during NACT for breast cancer.
Methods
This qualitative study was part of a larger randomized controlled trial and included 40 individual face-to-face interviews conducted with patients in both intervention and control groups after the end of NACT. The interviews were audio recorded, and the data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.
Results
No major differences in experience of care were observed between the groups. A total of 4 overarching themes emerged. In the first theme, The health care context, patients described care as assessible, although sometimes there was a lack of time and continuity with nurses. In the second theme, Being a recipient of care, it emerged that the patients experienced a warm and positive atmosphere at the clinics. In the third theme, Taking an active role as a patient, patients described being active in searching for information and various ways of participation in their own care. In the fourth theme, The value of the app, patients who had used the app experienced it as a complementary source of information, creating a sense of security. Using the app provided patients with the support of being contacted by a nurse if needed, enabled self-care, and facilitated the planning of daily activities.
Conclusions
Overall, patients’ experiences of care were similar and mostly positive. However, for patients using the app, it provided additional support for information and self-care and enhanced participation in their own care. The easy access to a nurse gave patients a sense of security. The findings suggest integrating an interactive app as a complement to standard care to support patients with breast cancer during treatment.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
RR2-DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3450-y
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fjell
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Langius-Eklöf
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kay Sundberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Crafoord MT, Fjell M, Sundberg K, Nilsson M, Langius-Eklöf A. Correction: Engagement in an Interactive App for Symptom Self-Management during Treatment in Patients With Breast or Prostate Cancer: Mixed Methods Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e33140. [PMID: 34637396 PMCID: PMC8548967 DOI: 10.2196/33140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therése Crafoord
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Fjell
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kay Sundberg
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Nilsson
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Langius-Eklöf
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Crafoord MT, Fjell M, Sundberg K, Nilsson M, Langius-Eklöf A. Engagement in an Interactive App for Symptom Self-Management during Treatment in Patients With Breast or Prostate Cancer: Mixed Methods Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e17058. [PMID: 32663140 PMCID: PMC7445604 DOI: 10.2196/17058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Using mobile technology for symptom management and self-care can improve patient-clinician communication and clinical outcomes in patients with cancer. The interactive app Interaktor has been shown to reduce symptom burden during cancer treatment. It includes symptom assessment, an alert system for contact with health care professionals, access to self-care advice, and visualization of symptom history. It is essential to understand how digital interventions operate; one approach is to examine engagement by assessing usage and exploring user experiences. Actual usage in relation to the intended use—adherence—is an essential factor of engagement. Objective This study aimed to describe engagement with the Interaktor app among patients with breast or prostate cancer during treatment. Methods Patients from the intervention groups of two separate randomized controlled trials were included: patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n=74) and patients with locally advanced prostate cancer receiving treatment with radiotherapy (n=75). The patients reported their symptoms daily. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from baseline questionnaires and medical records. Logged data usage was retrieved from the server and analyzed descriptively and with multiple regression analysis. Telephone interviews were conducted with patients about their perceptions of using the app and analyzed using content analysis. Results The median adherence percentage to daily symptom reporting was 83%. Most patients used the self-care advice and free text message component. Among the patients treated for breast cancer, higher age predicted a lower total number of free text messages sent (P=.04). Among the patients treated for prostate cancer, higher age (P=.01) and higher education level (P=.04), predicted an increase in total views on self-care advice, while higher comorbidity (P=.004) predicted a decrease in total views on self-care advice. Being married or living with a partner predicted a higher adherence to daily symptom reporting (P=.02). Daily symptom reporting created feelings of having continuous contact with health care professionals, being acknowledged, and safe. Being contacted by a nurse after a symptom alert was considered convenient and highly valued. Treatment and time-related aspects influenced engagement. Daily symptom reporting was perceived as particularly meaningful at the beginning of treatment. Requests were made for advice on diet and psychological symptoms, as well as for more comprehensive and detailed information as the patient progressed through treatment. Conclusions Patient engagement in the interactive app Interaktor was high. The app promoted patient participation in their care through continuous and convenient contact with health care professionals. The predictive ability of demographic variables differed between patient groups, but higher age and a higher educational level predicted usage of specific app functions for both patient groups. Patients’ experience of relevance and interactivity influenced their engagement positively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therése Crafoord
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Fjell
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kay Sundberg
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Nilsson
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Langius-Eklöf
- Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Biganzoli L, Cardoso F, Beishon M, Cameron D, Cataliotti L, Coles CE, Delgado Bolton RC, Trill MD, Erdem S, Fjell M, Geiss R, Goossens M, Kuhl C, Marotti L, Naredi P, Oberst S, Palussière J, Ponti A, Rosselli Del Turco M, Rubio IT, Sapino A, Senkus-Konefka E, Skelin M, Sousa B, Saarto T, Costa A, Poortmans P. The requirements of a specialist breast centre. Breast 2020; 51:65-84. [PMID: 32217457 PMCID: PMC7375681 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This article is an update of the requirements of a specialist breast centre, produced by EUSOMA and endorsed by ECCO as part of Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care (ERQCC) programme, and ESMO. To meet aspirations for comprehensive cancer control, healthcare organisations must consider the requirements in this article, paying particular attention to multidisciplinarity and patient-centred pathways from diagnosis, to treatment, to survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Biganzoli
- European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA); Breast Centre, AUSL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy.
| | - Fatima Cardoso
- European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO); Breast Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Center-Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - David Cameron
- European Cancer Concord (ECC); University of Edinburgh Cancer Centre, IGMM, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Luigi Cataliotti
- European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA), Senonetwork Italia and Breast Centres Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Charlotte E Coles
- European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO); University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Roberto C Delgado Bolton
- European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM); Department of Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology) and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital San Pedro and Centre for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), University of La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Maria Die Trill
- International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS); ATRIUM: Psycho-Oncology & Clinical Psychology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sema Erdem
- European Cancer Organisation Patient Advisory Committee (ECCO PAC); Europa Donna, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Fjell
- European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS); Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Romain Geiss
- International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG); Medical Oncology, Hôpital René Huguenin - Institut Curie, St. Cloud, France
| | - Mathijs Goossens
- European Cancer League (ECL); Centre for Cancer Detection (CvKO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christiane Kuhl
- European Society of Radiology (ESR); Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lorenza Marotti
- European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA), Florence, Italy
| | - Peter Naredi
- European Cancer Organisation (ECCO); Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Simon Oberst
- Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI); Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jean Palussière
- Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE); Department of Imaging, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - Antonio Ponti
- European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA), Centre for Epidemiology and Prevention in Oncology (CPO) Piemonte, AOU Citta' Della Salute e Della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Isabel T Rubio
- European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO); Breast Surgical Oncology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Sapino
- European Society of Pathology (ESP); Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Elzbieta Senkus-Konefka
- European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC); Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marko Skelin
- European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP); Pharmacy Department, General Hospital Sibenik, Sibenik, Croatia
| | - Berta Sousa
- European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP); Pharmacy Department, General Hospital Sibenik, Sibenik, Croatia
| | - Tiina Saarto
- Flims Alumni Club (FAC); Breast Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Center-Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Philip Poortmans
- Iridium Kankernetwerk, University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Campus Drie Eiken, Wilrijk-Antwerp, Belgium
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Fjell M, Langius-Eklöf A, Nilsson M, Wengström Y, Sundberg K. Reduced symptom burden with the support of an interactive app during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer - A randomized controlled trial. Breast 2020; 51:85-93. [PMID: 32247251 PMCID: PMC7375618 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Neoadjuvant chemotherapy causes distressing symptoms, which have to be managed by patients at home. Assessing and acting upon relevant patient-reported symptoms regularly with the support of mHealth such as apps, has shown to decrease symptom burden and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is a lack of apps for patients with breast cancer which are tested in rigorous trials and only a few include interactive components for immediate clinical management. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of the interactive app Interaktor improves patients’ levels of symptom burden and HRQoL during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Materials and methods This randomized controlled trial included patients in an intervention group (n = 74) and a control group (n = 75), recruited at two university hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. The intervention group used Interaktor for symptom reporting, self-care advice and support from health-care professionals during treatment, and the control group received standard care alone. Self-reported symptoms and HRQoL were assessed at two time points to determine differences between the groups. Results The intervention group rated statistically significant less symptom prevalence in nausea, vomiting, feeling sad, appetite loss and constipation. Overall symptom distress and physical symptom distress were rated statistically significant lower in the intervention group. Further, emotional functioning was rated statistically significant higher in the intervention group. Conclusions By using the Interaktor app in clinical practice, patients get individual support when managing treatment-related symptoms during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, leading to decreased symptom burden and improved emotional functioning. Using the app Interaktor reduced symptom burden in patients with breast cancer. The use of Interaktor enhanced emotional functioning during treatment. Interaktor provided individual support during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Use of Interaktor allowed breast cancer patients for daily reflection over symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fjell
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ann Langius-Eklöf
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Nilsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Hospital, Function Area Social Work in Health Care, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm County Council, Academic Primary Health Care Center, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Wengström
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Hospital, Cancer Theme, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kay Sundberg
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Stockholm, Sweden
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Crafoord MT, Fjell M, Nilsson M, Nilsson M, Sundberg K, Langius-Eklöf A. Patients’ usage and perception of an interactive app for symptom management and self-care during cancer treatment. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Langius-Eklöf A, Crafoord MT, Christiansen M, Fjell M, Sundberg K. Effects of an interactive mHealth innovation for early detection of patient-reported symptom distress with focus on participatory care: protocol for a study based on prospective, randomised, controlled trials in patients with prostate and breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:466. [PMID: 28676102 PMCID: PMC5496395 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3450-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer patients are predominantly treated as out-patients and as they often experience difficult symptoms and side effects it is important to facilitate and improve patient-clinician communication to support symptom management and self-care. Although the number of projects within supportive cancer care evaluating mobile health is increasing, few evidence-based interventions are described in the literature and thus there is a need for good quality clinical studies with a randomised design and sufficient power to guide future implementations. An interactive information and communications technology platform, including a smartphone/computer tablet app for reporting symptoms during cancer treatment was created in collaboration with a company specialising in health care management. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of using the platform for patients with breast cancer during neo adjuvant chemotherapy treatment and patients with locally advanced prostate cancer during curative radiotherapy treatment. The main hypothesis is that the use of the platform will improve clinical management, reduce costs, and promote safe and participatory care. Method The study is a prospective, randomised, controlled trial for each patient group and it is based on repeated measurements. Patients are consecutively included and randomised. The intervention groups report symptoms via the app daily, during treatment and up to three weeks after end of treatment, as a complement to standard care. Patients in the control groups receive standard care alone. Outcomes targeted are symptom burden, quality of life, health literacy (capacity to understand and communicate health needs and promote healthy behaviours), disease progress and health care costs. Data will be collected before and after treatment by questionnaires, registers, medical records and biomarkers. Lastly, participants will be interviewed about participatory and meaningful care. Discussion Results will generate knowledge to enhance understanding about how to develop person-centred care using mobile technology. Supporting patients’ involvement in their care to identify problems early, promotes more timely initiation of necessary treatment. This can benefit patients treated outside the hospital setting in regard to maintaining their safety. Clinical trial registration June 12 2015 NCT02477137 (Prostate cancer) and June 12 2015 NCT02479607 (Breast cancer).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Langius-Eklöf
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie-Therése Crafoord
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Christiansen
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Fjell
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kay Sundberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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