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How do radiation therapists detect and manage patients experiencing anxiety in the radiation oncology setting? A vignette study. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:5973-5981. [PMID: 33770258 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06133-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Anxiety is commonly observed in oncology patients but infrequently screened, assessed or addressed. According to psychosocial guidelines, all healthcare professionals, including radiation therapists, are responsible for the psychosocial care of patients. Radiation therapists (RTs) interact with patients daily throughout treatment; however, little research exists to evaluate RTs' ability to identify and manage patients' psychosocial needs. This study aimed to determine if RTs can detect and manage patient anxiety. METHOD A cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey containing two clinically relevant vignettes was developed. Two fictitious patients were presented to elicit responses reflective of RTs' experiences and judgements in the recognition and management of anxiety. Surveys were distributed via email in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Sydney (2016/227) and informed consent was obtained from participants. RESULTS Eligible and complete surveys were received from 582 respondents (240 (41.2%) from Australia; 78 (13.4%) New Zealand; 264 (45.4%) Canada). Almost all respondents endorsed a relevant descriptor of anxiety (vignette 1, 577 (99.1%); vignette 2, 579 (99.5%)). For both vignettes, the most frequently endorsed management strategy was to acknowledge the patients' feelings and encourage them to express their concerns (vignette 1, 548 (94.2%); vignette 2, 455 (78.2%)). CONCLUSION RTs in Australia, New Zealand and Canada are able to detect anxiety and endorse a strategy to manage patients experiencing anxiety depicted in written vignettes. Exploring RTs' abilities to detect and manage patient anxiety whilst in the high-pressure clinical environment is an important next step.
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Forbes E, Baker AL, Britton B, Clover K, Skelton E, Oultram S, Oldmeadow C, McCarter K. Non-pharmacological approaches to procedural anxiety reduction for patients undergoing radiotherapy for cancer: systematic review protocol. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035155. [PMID: 33039983 PMCID: PMC7549444 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Procedural anxiety relates to an affective state of anxiety or fear in relation to a medical procedure. Various treatment-related factors may elicit anxiety among oncology patients, including fear of diagnostic imaging (such as MRI scans) and impending treatment and medical procedures (such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy). It is common in oncology settings to manage acute anxiety relating to medical procedures with anxiolytic medication. However, pharmacological approaches are not suitable for many patients. Despite this, non-pharmacological interventions are infrequently used. The aim of this systematic review is to determine whether non-pharmacological interventions delivered prior to, or during, radiotherapy are effective in reducing procedural anxiety. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Data sources will include the bibliographic databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL) (from inception onward). Eligible studies will include adult patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy treatment. Included studies will be those which employ a non-pharmacological intervention, delivered within existing radiotherapy appointments, with the aim of reducing procedural anxiety related to radiotherapy. All research designs with a control or other comparison group will be included. The primary outcome will be change in levels of self-reported procedural anxiety. Secondary outcomes will be changes in scores on physiological measures of anxiety and/or changes in treatment completion and/or changes in treatment duration and/or changes in psychological distress. Two investigators will independently complete title and abstract screening, full-text screening, data extraction and assessment of methodological quality. If appropriate, a meta-analyses will be performed. Any important amendments to this protocol will be updated in the PROSPERO registration and documented in the resulting review publication. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION No ethical issues are anticipated from this review. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and at conferences by presentation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION CRD42019112941.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Forbes
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Health and Medicine, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda L Baker
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Health and Medicine, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ben Britton
- Department of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kerrie Clover
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Health and Medicine, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Psycho-Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Hunter Region Mail Centre, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eliza Skelton
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Health and Medicine, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sharon Oultram
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher Oldmeadow
- CREDITSS-Clinical Research Design, Information Technology and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristen McCarter
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle Faculty of Health and Medicine, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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Grilo AM, Gomes AI, Monsanto F, Albino D, Augusto C, Pragana C. First day of radiotherapy for women with breast cancer: predictors of anxiety. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:1241-1248. [PMID: 31227988 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04902-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy treatment may generate anxiety, especially on the first day of treatment. This study aimed to identify potential predictors of radiotherapy-related anxiety in women with breast cancer before treatment initiation, in terms of treatment concerns and trait anxiety. METHODS This transversal study included 94 patients from one Radiation Oncology Department, who had been diagnosed with primary breast cancer and who had been prescribed external radiotherapy for the first time. Patients completed a Treatment Concerns Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the first treatment session. RESULTS Women identified radiation involved in the procedure and treatment efficacy as major concerns surrounding radiotherapy. No significant differences were found between patients with higher and lower state anxiety scores, or by age, level of education, cancer treatment protocol used, prior information given about treatment, or report of doubts before treatment initiation. In the final model, the combination of trait anxiety (49.1% of the total variance) with two treatment-related concerns, regarding radiation and the duration of treatment (plus 10.8% of the total variance), significantly predicted treatment-related anxiety experienced on the first day of treatment. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to identify women with moderate or higher levels of trait anxiety before radiotherapy initiation and to provide them with a more approach to personalized care, adjusted to their specific concerns and susceptibility to anxious reactions. Effective education sessions involving the discussion of specific treatment concerns, and anxiety coping strategies training should be developed and applied in initial interactions with breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Grilo
- ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal. .,CICPSI, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-013, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ana I Gomes
- ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal.,CICPSI, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-013, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fátima Monsanto
- H&TRC- Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Tecnologia, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniel Albino
- ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudio Augusto
- ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pragana
- Unidade de Radioterapia, Hospital CUF Descobertas, R. Mário Botas, Parque das Nações, 1998-018, Lisbon, Portugal
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Elsner K, Naehrig D, Halkett GKB, Dhillon HM. Reduced patient anxiety as a result of radiation therapist-led psychosocial support: a systematic review. J Med Radiat Sci 2017; 64:220-231. [PMID: 28160448 PMCID: PMC5587663 DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 49% of patients attending radiation therapy appointments may experience anxiety and distress. Anxiety is heightened during the first few visits to radiation oncology. Radiation therapists (RT) are the only health professionals in direct daily contact with patients during treatment, placing them in a unique position to explore patients' psychosocial needs. This review aims to synthesise literature regarding the effect of RT-led psychosocial support on patient anxiety. In May 2015, we searched the following electronic databases: Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane library. Radiation therapy-specific journals were hand-searched, and reference lists of identified studies searched. This review complies with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search identified 263 articles, of which 251 were excluded based on non-English language, duplicate article or relevance. A total of 12 articles involving 1363 patients were included and categorised into three broad themes: 'Patient Perspectives' 3 articles, 'Patient Information and Education' 5 articles and 'Screening and Needs Assessment' 4 articles. Two publications referred to the same sample and data. Quality ratings were mixed, with one study rated 'high' quality, seven 'moderate' and four 'low'. Methodological weaknesses were identified in relation to workflow, sample size and responder bias. RTs have a role in psychosocial support through increased communication and information sharing, which can benefit both patients and staff. RT-led practices such as relationship building, patient education sessions and screening and needs assessments are feasible and can reduce anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Elsner
- Central Clinical School, Sydney Medical SchoolUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Diana Naehrig
- School of Psychology, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Georgia K. B. Halkett
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Faculty of Health SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Haryana M. Dhillon
- School of Psychology, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence‐based Decision‐makingUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia
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Egestad H, Nieder C. Differences in quality of life in obese and normal weight head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Support Care Cancer 2014; 23:1081-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-014-2463-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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