Health professionals' perspectives on information provision for patients with brain tumours and their families

A significant number of patients diagnosed with primary brain tumours report unmet information needs. Using concept mapping methodology, this study aimed to identify strategies for improving information provision, and to describe factors that health professionals understood to influence their provision of information to patients with brain tumours and their families. Concept mapping is a mixed-methods approach that uses statistical methods to represent participants' perceived relationships between elements as conceptual maps. These maps, and results of associated data collection and analyses, are used to extract concepts involved in information provision to these patients. Thirty health professionals working across a range of neuro-oncology roles and settings participated in the concept mapping process. Participants rated a care coordinator as the most important strategy for improving brain tumour care, with psychological support as a whole rated as the most important element of care. Five major themes were identified as facilitating information provision: health professionals' communication skills, style and attitudes; patients' needs and preferences; perceptions of patients' need for protection and initiative; rapport and continuity between patients and health professionals; and the nature of the healthcare system. Overall, health professionals conceptualised information provision as 'individualised', dependent on these interconnected personal and environmental factors.

Evidence-Based Treatment of Anxiety in Patients With Cancer

Anxiety is a dynamic response to perceived threat that is common among patients with cancer and fluctuates at critical points in the disease trajectory. A substantial minority of patients may experience clinically significant anxiety resulting from a range of potential etiologic factors. This review summarizes evidence-based recommendations for treatment of anxiety in oncology settings. Recommendations are based on the nature and time course of anxiety and the results of meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and individual trials in cancer populations. The evidence-based literature supports the use of psychosocial and psychopharmacologic treatments to prevent or alleviate anxiety symptoms. Conclusions are tempered by study heterogeneity and methodologic limitations and a lack of trials that included patients with clinically significant anxiety. In oncology settings, accessibility and acceptability of evidence-based treatments vary, and patients may seek a variety of resources to manage cancer concerns. Treatment planning should incorporate contributing factors to anxiety and patient preferences for psychiatric care.

"No me ponían mucha importancia": care-seeking experiences of undocumented Mexican immigrant women with chronic illness

This interpretive phenomenological study explored the health care-seeking experiences of undocumented Mexican immigrant women. Interviews and observations were conducted with 26 uninsured Mexican immigrant women with a chronic illness residing in California. Participant narratives revealed that their health care seeking experiences were often characterized by a lack of recognition of their human plight and devaluation of their personhood. Both structural and social barriers to care exist for immigrant women. Modifying current policies to allow undocumented immigrants more options to access care could help reduce stigma, reduce suffering, and encourage clinicians to recognize their humanity and their legitimate medical needs.

As the bell tolls: a foundation study on pancreatic cancer consumer's research priorities

Background

This is the first investigation of its kind to explore the views of people affected by pancreatic cancer with regard to research priorities. Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor outlook in terms of early diagnosis, effective treatment and survival. Those affected by the disease generally lack opportunities to voice their needs or concerns in an organised manner, link with others affected by the condition and take part in research.

Methods

This qualitative study adopts a self-selected telephone focussed discussion group approach. Information was obtained from distinct carer and patient groups after adequate controls such as the 'safe space' technique (repeatedly enquiring on and respecting the emotional needs) were implemented to protect participants from undue physical and psychological distress.

Results

Five themes emerged overall, with three themes being common between the patients and carers groups. Early detection, clinician communication and public awareness were areas of recurring discussion and consensus for both groups. The fourth theme to emerge for the patient group centred on quality of care, while the fourth theme of the carer group focused on the need for more and improved treatment options.

Conclusion

Research priorities for pancreatic cancer consumers have been identified via an investigation that was tailored to meet exceptional needs. This research gives us a primary understanding of the role that pancreatic cancer patients can play in identifying areas of research that are responsive to their needs and priorities when suitably planned. Importantly it also provides a much greater understanding of the grim realities of the disease for those affected. This work is likely to be of value to anyone planning to work with those with a time limited, challenging condition.

Patients' reflections on communication in the second-opinion hematology-oncology consultation

OBJECTIVE

The nature of communication between patients and their second-opinion hematology consultants may be very different in these one-time consultations than for those that are within long-term relationships. This study explored patients' perceptions of their second-opinion hematology-oncology consultation to investigate physician-patient communication in malignant disease at a critical juncture in cancer patients' care and decision-making.

METHODS

In-depth telephone interviews with a subset of 20 patients from a larger study, following their subspecialty hematology consultations.

RESULTS

Most patients wanted to contribute to the consultation agenda, but were unable to do so. Patients sought expert and honest advice delivered with empathy, though most did not expect the consultant to directly address their emotions. They wanted the physician to apply his/her knowledge to the specifics of their individual cases, and were disappointed and distrustful when physicians cited only general prognostic statistics. In contrast, physicians' consideration of the unique elements of patients' cases, and demonstrations of empathy and respect made patients' feel positively about the encounter, regardless of the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients provided concrete recommendations for physician and patient behaviors to enhance the consultation.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Consideration of these recommendations may result in more effective communication and increased patient satisfaction with medical visits.