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van der Kruk SR, Gunn KM. 'It sort of broke me': A thematic analysis of the psychological experiences and coping strategies employed by Australian fire-affected farmers. Aust J Rural Health 2024; 32:299-310. [PMID: 38407355 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People exposed to bushfires are known to be at heightened risk of experiencing mental health challenges. When farms are impacted, farmers often risk losing not only their homes but also their businesses, containing their livestock, infrastructure and identities. OBJECTIVE To understand the psychological experiences of farmers who have been exposed to fires on their farms and identify the coping strategies they already employ to recover and prepare psychologically for future bushfires. DESIGN In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face or via Zoom. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, using a descriptive, essentialist approach. Sixteen farmers and/or their spouses (50% female; median age of 50.8 years), who owned and/or played an active role in the operation of a farming or pastoral enterprise and had been affected by a farm fire within the last 20 years, participated. Participants resided in inner regional, outer regional and remote South Australia and New South Wales. FINDINGS Seven overarching themes and 22 subthemes resulted: (1) intense emotions in the aftermath, (2) long-term psychological challenges, (3) deliberate focus on organising, prioritising and completing recovery-focused tasks, (4) importance of seeking and/or accessing support to rebuild, (5) adopting a positive attitude and outlook, (6) (dis)engaging from/with community and social connection and (7) various strategies employed to self-regulate emotions. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the unique set of psychological challenges Australian farmers experience in the wake of a farm fire and the coping strategies they report using to help them manage. Findings will inform the development of contextually and culturally appropriate bushfire recovery and preparedness initiatives that are tailored to meet the unique needs of farmers and build upon their existing strengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannen R van der Kruk
- IIMPACT in Health, Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kate M Gunn
- IIMPACT in Health, Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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van der Kruk SR, Gunn KM, MacDougall H, Milne D, Smith K, Zielinski R. Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of virtual reality as a patient education tool for people with cancer undergoing immunotherapy: a protocol for a randomised controlled pilot study in a regional setting. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071080. [PMID: 37311632 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patient education is a critical component of healthcare delivery. However, medical information and knowledge are complex and can be difficult for patients and families to comprehend when delivered verbally. The use of virtual reality (VR) to convey medical information to patients may bridge this communication gap and lead to more effective patient education. It may be of increased value to those with low health literacy and levels of patient activation, in rural and regional settings. The objective of this randomised, single-centre pilot study is to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of VR as an education tool for people with cancer. The results will provide data to inform the feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial, including sample size calculations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Patients with cancer undergoing immunotherapy will be recruited. A total of 36 patients will be recruited and randomised to one of three trial arms. Participants will be randomised 1:1:1 to receive VR, a two-dimensional video or standard care (ie, verbal communication and information leaflets). Feasibility will be assessed by recruitment rate, practicality, acceptability, usability and related adverse events. The potential impact of VR on patient-reported outcomes (ie, perceived information provision quality, knowledge about immunotherapy and patient activation) will be assessed and stratified by information coping style (ie, monitors vs blunters) whenever statistical analyses are significant. The patient-reported outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-intervention and 2 weeks post-intervention. In addition, semistructured interviews will be conducted with health professionals and participants randomised to the VR trial arm, to further explore acceptability and feasibility. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval was obtained from the Greater Western Human Research Ethics Committee, New South Wales Local Health District (2022/ETH01760). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Findings will be disseminated via relevant conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12622001473752.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannen R van der Kruk
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kate M Gunn
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hamish MacDougall
- RPA Institute of Academic Surgery, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Donna Milne
- Melanoma and Skin Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Smith
- School of Rural Health, The University of Sydney, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rob Zielinski
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Central West Cancer Care Centre, Orange Base Hospital, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
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van der Kruk SR, Zielinski R, MacDougall H, Hughes-Barton D, Gunn KM. Virtual reality as a patient education tool in healthcare: A scoping review. Patient Educ Couns 2022; 105:1928-1942. [PMID: 35168856 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore what is currently known about the use of virtual reality (VR) as a patient education tool in healthcare. METHODS Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review method and the PRISMA-ScR Checklist were employed. Four peer-reviewed databases were searched (Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, the Cochrane library). Pre-defined selection criteria identified 18 studies for inclusion. Results were synthesized using a narrative approach. RESULTS VR as an educational tool in healthcare is feasible and acceptable, and may improve patient's knowledge about their illness and satisfaction with treatment. Most studies used the Oculus VR glasses or headset, educated patients though the use of 3D 360° VR anatomical models, and were conducted with people affected with cancer. Opportunities exist for exploring unintended consequences, and the role of VR in educating populations with lower health literacy. CONCLUSION VR could assist in communicating medical information and knowledge to patients, but more research is needed, particularly to identify for whom and in what situations this method is most useful and to improve understanding about the potential unintended consequences. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Health professionals should consider using VR to educate their patients, and researchers can use this as a road map on how to address knowledge gaps in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rob Zielinski
- Central West Cancer Care Centre, Orange Base Hospital, Orange, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Donna Hughes-Barton
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Kate M Gunn
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
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van der Kruk SR, Butow P, Mesters I, Boyle T, Olver I, White K, Sabesan S, Zielinski R, Chan BA, Spronk K, Grimison P, Underhill C, Kirsten L, Gunn KM. Psychosocial well-being and supportive care needs of cancer patients and survivors living in rural or regional areas: a systematic review from 2010 to 2021. Support Care Cancer 2021; 30:1021-1064. [PMID: 34392413 PMCID: PMC8364415 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06440-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To summarise what is currently known about the psychosocial morbidity, experiences, and needs of people with cancer and their informal caregivers, who live in rural or regional areas of developed countries. Methods Eligible studies dating from August 2010 until May 2021 were identified through several online databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and RURAL (Rural and Remote Health Database). Results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines and the protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020171764). Results Sixty-five studies were included in this review, including 20 qualitative studies, 41 quantitative studies, and 4 mixed methods studies. Qualitative research demonstrated that many unique psychosocial needs of rural people remain unmet, particularly relating to finances, travel, and accessing care. However, most (9/19) quantitative studies that compared rural and urban groups reported no significant differences in psychosocial needs, morbidity, or quality of life (QOL). Five quantitative studies reported poorer psychosocial outcomes (social and emotional functioning) in urban cancer survivors, while three highlighted poorer outcomes (physical functioning, role functioning, and self-reported mental health outcomes) in the rural group. Conclusion Recent research shows that rural people affected by cancer have unique unmet psychosocial needs relating to rurality. However, there was little evidence that rural cancer survivors report greater unmet needs than their urban counterparts. This contrasts to the findings from a 2011 systematic review that found rural survivors consistently reported worse psychosocial outcomes. More population-based research is needed to establish whether uniquely rural unmet needs are due to general or cancer-specific factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannen R. van der Kruk
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Phyllis Butow
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Ilse Mesters
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Terry Boyle
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Ian Olver
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Kate White
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Sabe Sabesan
- College of Medicine and Dentistry (CMD), James Cook University, QLD, Townsville, Australia
| | - Rob Zielinski
- Central West Cancer Care Centre, Orange Base Hospital, Orange, NSW Australia
- Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Bryan A. Chan
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Kristiaan Spronk
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Peter Grimison
- Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | | | | | - Kate M. Gunn
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
- Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
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van der Kruk SR, Gunn KM, Mesters I, Lynch BM, Vallance JK, Boyle T. Associations between baseline demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors, and changes in fatigue, depression, and health-related quality of life in long-term cancer survivors: a cohort study. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:4711-4722. [PMID: 33515106 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06015-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the longitudinal associations between demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors, and changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer survivors 6-9 years post-diagnosis in Western Australia. METHODS A total of 290 individuals participated in this study. Three-quarters of participants were female, and 55%, 31%, and 14% were survivors of breast cancer, colon cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), respectively. PROs (fatigue, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)) were reported at two time points (2012-13 and 2017). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the overall changes over time and linear mixed models were used to identify factors associated with changes over time, after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS No significant changes were observed in PROs between time point 1 and follow-up at the population level, yet a notable proportion of participants (23% for fatigue, 10% for depression, and 39% for HRQOL) reported a negative minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Being non-Caucasian and having had NHL were associated with negative changes over time. Being obese and having had radiotherapy were related to improved outcomes. CONCLUSION Cancer survivors whose levels of fatigue, depression, and quality of life are compromised during cancer treatment may require intervention even 6-9 years post-treatment. Our results suggest particular attention should be paid to those who are non-Caucasian and who have had NHL. This is crucial for providing appropriate care and to support those who are at increased risk of deteriorating naturally over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannen R van der Kruk
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kate M Gunn
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ilse Mesters
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Brigid M Lynch
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Physical Activity Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeff K Vallance
- Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada
| | - Terry Boyle
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
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