Supporting and preparing patients for radiotherapy: Patients’ and radiation therapists’ perspectives on their one‐to‐one consultations

Patient Education Materials for Immobilisation Masks in Radiation Therapy for Adult Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review

Immobilisation masks (IMs) are used for people with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation therapy (RT) treatment to ensure accuracy and reproducibility between treatments. Claustrophobia-related mask anxiety in HNC patients is common and can compromise treatment due to patient distress. This scoping review aimed to describe the content of publicly available Patient Education Materials (PEMs) for people with HNC undergoing RT. Three search engines (Bing, Yahoo, and Google) were systematically searched using standard terms. PEMs in audio-visual or written formats were eligible for inclusion if the target readership was adults with HNC and included content on IMs for RT. Content was appraised using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable and Audio-Visual Materials to assess understandability and actionability. In total, 304 PEMs were identified of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen PEMs were webpages, three were PDF format, and one was a standalone video. The understandability and actionability of PEMs ranged between 47 to 100% and 0 to 80%, respectively. PEMs authored by Foundations/Organisations scored higher in understandability (80-100%) and were more likely to discuss mask anxiety coping strategies. In comparison, News sites and IM manufacturers published PEMs with the lowest understandability scores (20-80%). The significant variations in the quality of IM PEMs identified suggest that some sources may be more effective at informing patients about IMs. Although multiple aspects of the PEMs were consistent across the reviewed materials, many PEMs lacked information, and a stronger focus on understandability and actionability is required.

Using virtual reality to prepare patients for radiotherapy: A systematic review of interventional studies with educational sessions

Purpose

To understand the impact of radiotherapy educational sessions with virtual reality on oncologic adult patients' psychological and cognitive outcomes related to the treatment experience.

Methods

This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. A systematic electronic search in three databases, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, was conducted in December 2021 to find interventional studies with adult patients undergoing external radiotherapy who received an educational session with virtual reality before or during the treatment. The studies that provided qualitative or quantitative information about the impact of educational sessions on patients' psychological and cognitive dimensions related to RT experience were retained for analysis.

Results

Of the 25 records found, eight articles about seven studies were analysed that involved 376 patients with different oncological pathologies. Most studies evaluated knowledge and treatment-related anxiety, mainly through self-reported questionnaires. The analysis showed a significant improvement in patients' knowledge and comprehension of radiotherapy treatment. Anxiety levels also decreased with virtual reality educational sessions and throughout the treatment in almost all the studies, although with less homogeneous results.

Conclusion

Virtual reality methods in standard educational sessions can enhance cancer patients' preparation for radiation therapy by increasing their understanding of treatment and reducing anxiety.

Does a communication skills program enable symptom and distress screening?: The impact of training on radiation therapists' confidence, knowledge, and use of distress screening

INTRODUCTION

Due to the prevalence of distress following a cancer diagnosis, routine symptom and distress screening is recommended as best practice. RTs perceive psychosocial support and screening to be part of their role, however feel they lack the education and skills to perform this confidently. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of providing communication skills training (RT Prepare CST) on the perceived barriers, knowledge, attitude, role, and confidence of radiation therapists (RTs) in using routine symptom and distress screening.

METHODS

A single-arm, pre-post intervention design was implemented. All RTs at one regional and one rural centre participated in RT Prepare CST. RTs completed a questionnaire: pre-intervention (T1); immediately post-intervention (T2); and, three months post-intervention (T3). Cochran's Q and McNemar's tests for non-parametric data were conducted to compare outcomes over time.

RESULTS

Of 39 RTs approached, 37 (95%) consented to participate with 36 (92%) completing questionnaires at all three time points. Significant and sustained improvements post-intervention were noted from T1-T3 including: confidence in describing the PROMPT-Care tool to patients (p=0.002), discussing psychosocial issues (p=0.014); recognising signs of anxiety/depression (p<0.001); dealing with signs of anxiety (p=0.002), depression (p=0.015) and distress (p=0.008) as well as agreeing 'the tool is useful in identifying psychosocial problems' (p=0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

RT Prepare CST was effective in increasing confidence, knowledge and attitudes of RTs in the psychosocial care of patients with a change in RT behaviour noted by a significant increase in the number of patients screened following the intervention. Providing routine CST and emotional cues training to RTs enhances their ability to care for patients holistically, equipping them with skills to be included within a psychosocial model of care. Engaged leadership and role models are essential to sustain the learnings from education programs and provide an environment to discuss and define roles within radiation therapy departments.

"It's Always Been a Second Class Cancer": An Exploration of the Experiences and Journeys of Bereaved Family Carers of People with Sarcoma

Sarcomas are a group of rare and aggressive cancers, which develop in bones and connective tissue throughout the body. Sarcomas account for only 1-2% of all cancers worldwide; however, mortality rates for sarcoma are high with approximately two in four sarcoma patients dying following a diagnosis. Delays in diagnosis, poor management of symptoms, patients' high symptom loads and high carer burden are all associated with carer distress, which may lead to complications after bereavement. The experience of having a family member referred for palliative care is also distressing for carers, with the realisation that their family member is dying. This study aimed to explore the experiences of bereaved family carers of people diagnosed with sarcoma. A qualitative descriptive design using a social constructionist framework was adopted. Interviews were conducted with sixteen participants, and thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in the data. Four overarching themes emerged: beginning the journey; moving through treatment; transitioning to palliative care; and experiencing bereavement. The narratives were coherent and potent, and people reflected on their journeys. Interventions and supports for bereaved carers could include opportunities for counselling to support reflections, supports for developing a narrative such as writing therapy, and preparation for the death of the family member.