RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore relatives' experiences of talking about cancer within the family and to identify their information and support needs. METHOD: A cross-sectional in-depth interview study with relatives and partners (n = 22) of cancer patients recruited through community settings was conducted. A thematic approach was used for analysis. RESULTS: Information sharing and communication within families operated within a context of cancer-related uncertainty. Discussion about cancer was generally viewed as beneficial, but relatives faced dilemmas, which inhibited information exchange. Participants often devised strategies to manage the challenges faced to fulfil their needs for information and support. This was deemed important as talking about cancer allowed relatives to support patients' preferences for care, deal with practical demands and come to terms with difficult issues. Lack of information was perceived to affect the quality of care participants could provide. CONCLUSION: Participants did not always want to know everything about the patient's illness, suggesting the importance of tailoring information to individual needs. Offering a range of different kinds of support directly to relatives may improve patient care and emotional well-being.
Assuntos
Revelação , Neoplasias , Cônjuges/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Comunicação , Estudos Transversais , Família/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Disseminação de Informação , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação das Necessidades , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Apoio SocialRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer affects one in eight UK women during their lifetime: many of these women now receive adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Joint and muscle pains, aches, and stiffness are common but the natural history, aetiology and impact of these symptoms are unknown. A cohort study of newly diagnosed women with primary breast cancer was established to explore this. In this paper we present study methods and sample characteristics, describe participants' experience of musculoskeletal pain at baseline interview, and explore its impact on quality of life. METHODS: Women with non-metastatic breast cancer were recruited following primary surgery into a multi-centre cohort study. They received questionnaires by post five times (baseline, 3, 6 , 9 and 12 months) to investigate prevalence, severity, location and correlates of musculoskeletal pain, and impact on quality-of-life. Pain was measured by the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, the Brief Pain Inventory, and MSK-specific questions, and quality of life by the SF-36 and FACIT scales. RESULTS: 543 women (mean age 57 years, range 28-87, 64% postmenopausal) were recruited following surgery for primary breast cancer from breast cancer clinics in eight hospitals. Fifteen per cent of the eligible cohort was missed; 28% declined to participate. Joint or muscle aches, pains or stiffness were reported by 69% women with 28% specifically reporting joint pain/aches/stiffness. Quality of life, as measured by the FACT-B and adjusted for age, depression, surgery and analgesic use, is significantly worse in all domains in those with musculoskeletal problems than those without. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlights the importance of a better understanding of these symptoms and their impact on the lives of women with primary breast cancer so that healthcare professionals are better equipped to support patients and to provide accurate information to inform treatment decisions. Further papers from this study will address these issues.
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Neoplasias da Mama/complicações , Dor Musculoesquelética/complicações , Qualidade de Vida , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/cirurgia , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor Musculoesquelética/epidemiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The use of continuous sedation until death for terminally ill cancer patients with unbearable and untreatable psychological and existential suffering remains controversial, and little in-depth insight exists into the circumstances in which physicians resort to it. METHODS: Our study was conducted in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK in hospitals, PCUs/hospices, and at home. We held interviews with 35 physicians most involved in the care of cancer patients who had psychological and existential suffering and had been continuously sedated until death. RESULTS: In the studied countries, three groups of patients were distinguished regarding the origin of their psychological and existential suffering. The first group had preexisting psychological problems before they became ill, the second developed psychological and existential suffering during their disease trajectory, and the third presented psychological symptoms that were characteristic of their disease. Before they resorted to the use of sedation, physicians reported that they had considered an array of pharmacological and psychological interventions that were ineffective or inappropriate to relieve this suffering. Necessary conditions for using sedation in this context were for most physicians the presence of refractory symptoms, a short life expectancy, and an explicit patient request for sedation. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians in our study used continuous sedation until death in the context of psychological and existential suffering after considering several pharmacological and psychological interventions. Further research and debate are needed on how and by whom this suffering at the end of life should be best treated, taking into account patients' individual preferences.
Assuntos
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Sedação Consciente/psicologia , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias/psicologia , Cuidados Paliativos/psicologia , Estresse Psicológico/tratamento farmacológico , Assistência Terminal/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Bélgica , Tomada de Decisões , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Países Baixos , Preferência do Paciente , Padrões de Prática Médica , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: Health policy places emphasis on enabling patients to die in their place of choice, and increasing the proportion of home deaths. In this article, we seek to explore reported preferences for place of death and experiences of care in a population-based sample of deaths from all causes. DESIGN: Self-completion post-bereavement survey. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Census of deaths registered in two health districts between October 2009 and April 2010. Views of Informal Carers - Evaluation of Services Short Form was sent to each informant (n = 1422; usually bereaved relative) 6-12 months post-bereavement. RESULTS: Response was 33%. In all, 35.7% of respondents reported that the deceased said where they wanted to die, and 49.3% of these were reported to achieve this. Whilist 73.9% of those who were reported to have a preference cited home as the preferred place, only 13.3% of the sample died at home. Cancer patients were more likely to be reported to achieve preferences than patients with other conditions (p < .01). Being reported to have a record of preferences for place of death increased the likelihood of dying at home (odds ratio = 22.10). When rating care in the last 2 days, respondents were more likely to rate 'excellent' or 'good' for nursing care (p < .01), relief of pain (p < .01) and other symptoms (p < .01), emotional support (p < .01) and privacy of patient's environment (p < .01) if their relative died in their preferred place. CONCLUSIONS: More work is needed to encourage people to talk about their preferences at the end of life: this should not be restricted to those known to be dying. Increasing knowledge and achievement of preferences for place of death may also improve end-of-life care.
Assuntos
Atitude Frente a Morte , Preferência do Paciente , Assistência Terminal/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Causas de Morte , Inglaterra , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise de Regressão , Características de Residência , Inquéritos e Questionários , Assistência Terminal/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although in health services survey research we strive for a high response rate, this must be balanced against the need to recruit participants ethically and considerately, particularly in surveys with a sensitive nature. In survey research there are no established recommendations to guide recruitment approach and an 'opt-in' system that requires potential participants to request a copy of the questionnaire by returning a reply slip is frequently adopted. However, in observational research the risk to participants is lower than in clinical research and so some surveys have used an 'opt-out' system. The effect of this approach on response and distress is unknown. We sought to investigate this in a survey of end of life care completed by bereaved relatives. METHODS: Out of a sample of 1422 bereaved relatives we assigned potential participants to one of two study groups: an 'opt in' group (n=711) where a letter of invitation was issued with a reply slip to request a copy of the questionnaire; or an 'opt out' group (n=711) where the survey questionnaire was provided alongside the invitation letter. We assessed response and distress between groups. RESULTS: From a sample of 1422, 473 participants returned questionnaires. Response was higher in the 'opt out' group than in the 'opt in' group (40% compared to 26.4%: χ(2) =29.79, p-value<.01), there were no differences in distress or complaints about the survey between groups, and assignment to the 'opt out' group was an independent predictor of response (OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.45-2.34). Moreover, the 'opt in' group were more likely to decline to participate (χ(2)=28.60, p-value<.01) and there was a difference in the pattern of questionnaire responses between study groups. CONCLUSION: Given that the 'opt out' method of recruitment is associated with a higher response than the 'opt in' method, seems to have no impact on complaints or distress about the survey, and there are differences in the patterns of responses between groups, the 'opt out' method could be recommended as the most efficient way to recruit into surveys, even in those with a sensitive nature.
Assuntos
Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde/métodos , Participação do Paciente/psicologia , Seleção de Pacientes , Recusa de Participação/psicologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Luto , Inglaterra , Família/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido/ética , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Cuidados Paliativos/normas , Cuidados Paliativos/estatística & dados numéricos , Participação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Seleção de Pacientes/ética , Satisfação Pessoal , Recusa de Participação/estatística & dados numéricos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Projetos de Pesquisa , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The UK leads the world in recruitment of patients to cancer clinical trials, with a six-fold increase in recruitment during 2001-2010. However, there are large variations across cancer centres. This paper details recruitment to a large multi-centre prospective cohort study and discusses lessons learnt to enhance recruitment. METHODS: During CREW (ColoREctal Wellbeing) cohort study set up and recruitment, data were systematically collected on all centres that applied to participate, time from study approval to first participant recruited and the percentage of eligible patients recruited into the study. RESULTS: 30 participating NHS cancer centres were selected through an open competition via the cancer networks. Time from study approval to first participant recruited took a median 124 days (min 53, max 290). Of 1350 eligible people in the study time frame, 78% (n = 1056) were recruited into the study, varying from 30-100% eligible across centres. Recruitment of 1056 participants took 17 months. CONCLUSION: In partnership with the National Cancer Research Network, this successful study prioritised relationship building and education. Key points for effective recruitment: pre-screening and selection of centres; nurses as PIs; attendance at study days; frequent communication and a reduced level of consent to enhance uptake amongst underrepresented groups.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Colorretais/terapia , Seleção de Pacientes , Convalescença , Humanos , Estudos Multicêntricos como Assunto , Estudos Prospectivos , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Tamanho da Amostra , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of older patients with advanced cancer live alone but there is little research on how well health services meet their needs. The aim of this study was to compare the experiences and future preferences for care between two groups of older people with cancer in their last year of life; those who live alone, and those who live with co-resident carers. METHODS: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 people aged between 70 and 95 years who were living with cancer. They were recruited from general practices and hospice day care, when the responsible health professional answered no to the question, of whether they would be surprised if the patient died within twelve months. Twenty participants lived alone. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and the data analysed using a Framework approach, focussing on the differences and commonalities between the two groups. RESULTS: Many experiences were common to all participants, but had broader consequences for people who lived alone. Five themes are presented from the data: a perception that it is a disadvantage to live alone as a patient, the importance of relational continuity with health professionals, informal appraisal of care, place of care and future plans. People who lived alone perceived emotional and practical barriers to accessing care, and many shared an anxiety that they would have to move into a care home. Participants were concerned with remaining life, and all who lived alone had made plans for death but not for dying. Uncertainty of timescales and a desire to wait until they knew that death was imminent were some of the reasons given for not planning for future care needs. CONCLUSIONS: Older people who live alone with cancer have emotional and practical concerns that are overlooked by their professional carers. Discussion and planning for the future, along with continuity in primary care may hold the key to enhancing end-of-life care for this group of patients.
Assuntos
Neoplasias/psicologia , Preferência do Paciente/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida , Características de Residência , Assistência Terminal/psicologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Cuidadores , Continuidade da Assistência ao Paciente/normas , Feminino , Humanos , Solidão , Masculino , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Isolamento Social , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The number of people surviving colorectal cancer has doubled in recent years. While much of the literature suggests that most people return to near pre-diagnosis status following surgery for colorectal cancer, this literature has largely focused on physical side effects. Longitudinal studies in colorectal cancer have either been small scale or taken a narrow focus on recovery after surgery. There is a need for a comprehensive, long-term study exploring all aspects of health and wellbeing in colorectal cancer patients. The aim of this study is to establish the natural history of health and wellbeing in people who have been treated for colorectal cancer. People have different dispositions, supports and resources, likely resulting in individual differences in restoration of health and wellbeing. The protocol described in this paper is of a study which will identify who is most at risk of problems, assess how quickly people return to a state of subjective health and wellbeing, and will measure factors which influence the course of recovery. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study following 1000 people with colorectal cancer over a period of two years, recruiting from 30 NHS cancer treatment centres across the UK. Questionnaires will be administered prior to surgery, and 3, 9, 15 and 24 months after surgery, with the potential to return to this cohort to explore on-going issues related to recovery after cancer. DISCUSSION: Outcomes will help inform health care providers about what helps or hinders rapid and effective recovery from cancer, and identify areas for intervention development to aid this process. Once established the cohort can be followed up for longer periods and be approached to participate in related projects as appropriate and subject to funding.
Assuntos
Protocolos Clínicos , Neoplasias Colorretais/terapia , Indicadores Básicos de Saúde , Nível de Saúde , Avaliação de Processos e Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Qualidade de Vida , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Adaptação Psicológica , Fatores Etários , Estudos de Coortes , Neoplasias Colorretais/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Colorretais/cirurgia , Feminino , Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Autocuidado/métodos , Fatores Sexuais , Perfil de Impacto da Doença , Inquéritos e Questionários , Sobreviventes/psicologia , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Older adults receive most of their end-of-life care in the community, but there are few published data to guide researchers on recruitment to studies in primary care. The aim of this study was to compare recruitment of patients and bereaved carers from general practices in areas with different research network support, and identify challenges in obtaining samples representative of those in need of end-of-life care. METHODS: Comparative analysis of recruitment from general practices to two face-to-face interview studies concerned with 1) carers' perceptions of transitions between settings for decedents aged over 75 years and 2) the experiences of older patients living with cancer at the end-of-life. RESULTS: 33 (15% of invitees) patients and 118 (25%) carers were interviewed. Carers from disadvantaged areas were under-represented. Recruitment was higher when researchers, rather than research network staff, were in direct contact with general practices. Most practices recruited no more than one carer, despite a seven fold difference in the number of registered patients. The proportion identified as eligible for patient interviews varied by a factor of 38 between practices. Forty-four Primary Care Trusts granted approval to interview carers; two refused. One gave no reason; a second did not believe that general practitioners would be able to identify carers. CONCLUSION: Obtaining a representative sample of patients or carers in end-of-life research is a resource intensive challenge. Review of the regulatory and organisational barriers to end-of-life researchers in primary care is required. Research support networks provide invaluable assistance, but researchers should ensure that they are alert to the ways in which they may influence study recruitment.
Assuntos
Cuidadores , Medicina de Família e Comunidade/organização & administração , Pesquisa sobre Serviços de Saúde/métodos , Participação do Paciente , Seleção de Pacientes , Assistência Terminal , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Cuidadores/psicologia , Continuidade da Assistência ao Paciente , Serviços de Saúde para Idosos , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Neoplasias/psicologia , Cuidados Paliativos , PesquisadoresRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe Spanish nurses' preparedness to care for hospitalised terminally ill patients and how this translates into care delivery. METHODS: An exploratory, sequential mixed methods study with two stages. Stage I used unstructured observations of 22 hospital nurses over 235 hours to understand their daily reality, followed by semi-structured interviews with 21 nurses to elicit their perspectives. Stage 2 was a regional survey (65% response rate) concerned with hospital nurses' opinions of caring for terminally ill patients and their perceived competence. RESULTS: The nurses felt competent to provide physical but not emotional care for terminally ill patients. They reported that care could be improved, particularly through providing more emotional care. This coincided with an observed focus on physical care. The nurses reported a lack of support in caring for terminally ill patients and wanted more education on emotional issues and dealing with their own feelings. CONCLUSION: There is a need for an integrative approach in Spain that combines an educational programme with a supportive environment, focusing on developing nurses' competence to deliver emotional care and deal with their own feelings. Promoting a supportive environment might enable nurses to change their behaviour when caring for terminally ill patients and deal with patients' emotional as well as physical needs.
Assuntos
Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar , Doente Terminal , Coleta de Dados , Humanos , EspanhaRESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report a systematic search and narrative review of the evidence base that can inform dietary advice for patients off treatment living with cancer cachexia syndrome (CCS). METHODS: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases for publications about diet and cancer patients off treatment with symptoms of CCS. The following limits were applied: English language, from September 1998 to September 2008 and adults. In addition, a hand search included the reference lists of papers identified. Seven hundred and eighteen abstracts were assessed against inclusion/exclusion criteria and 88 were selected for full text independent examination by two researchers. Information from 48 papers was extracted, quality assessed, thematically analyzed and presented as a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Two dominant perspectives emerged on what should be eaten by weight-losing cancer patients. The majority of authors advocated a nutrient-dense diet, facilitated by nutritional counselling. The alternative approach was to advise the patient to 'eat what they want'. There is little robust evidence to justify either approach as able to deliver on the range of physical and psychosocial objectives that they aim to achieve. CONCLUSION: A new model for the delivery of nutritional care may benefit cancer patients (off treatment) living with weight loss. The proposed model integrates the two identified perspectives to facilitate optimal food intake taking into account the patient's (1) disease symptoms and treatment side effects (2) emotional adaptation to illness and (3) social circumstances. Research is needed to establish which of these obstacles to eating can be changed for which patient groups to improve patient outcomes.
Assuntos
Caquexia/dietoterapia , Modelos Teóricos , Neoplasias/complicações , Adulto , Caquexia/etiologia , Ingestão de Alimentos , Humanos , Redução de PesoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: despite a mortality rate of approximately 30% in acute stroke, little is known about the palliative care needs of this group of patients. DESIGN: prospective study of 191 acute stroke patients admitted to hospital in England. Biographical, medical and stroke-related data were collected. Participants completed the Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral to Care (SPARC), a screening tool for referral to specialist palliative care. FINDINGS: over 50% reported moderate to significant fatigue-related problems. Approximately 50% reported symptom-related problems (e.g. pain) or psychological distress (e.g. anxiety). Approximately 25% had concerns about death or dying, and 66% had concerns about dependence and disability. Over 50% were worried about the impact of stroke on family members. There were significant main effects of dependence (Barthel Index) (F(1,123) = 12.640 P = 0.001) and age (F(4,123) = 3.022 P = 0.020), and a significant three-factor interaction between dependence, age and co-morbidities (F(9,123) = 2.199 P = 0.026) in predicting total SPARC scores. CONCLUSIONS: acute stroke patients have a high prevalence of palliative care needs. Acute stroke services should use the SPARC for needs assessment. Priority for assessment should be given to patients with a score of <15/20 on the Barthel Index, a tool already used in most stroke services.
Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde para Idosos/estatística & dados numéricos , Avaliação das Necessidades/estatística & dados numéricos , Cuidados Paliativos/estatística & dados numéricos , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/terapia , Doença Aguda , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Ansiedade/terapia , Comorbidade , Inglaterra/epidemiologia , Fadiga/epidemiologia , Fadiga/terapia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , Encaminhamento e Consulta/estatística & dados numéricos , Estresse Psicológico/epidemiologia , Estresse Psicológico/terapiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: there is limited understanding of symptoms and care in the last few months of life for adults dying from causes other than cancer. OBJECTIVE: the aim of the study is to compare the experiences in the community in the last 3 months of life of older adults dying from cancer and non-cancer causes. DESIGN: the study employed a retrospective cross-sectional survey of bereaved relatives. SETTING: the survey took place across eight cancer networks in England. SUBJECTS: a random sample of 1,266 adults who registered a death occurring in someone aged 65 and over between August 2002 and February 2004 was drawn. METHODS: VOICES (Views of Informal Carers-Evaluation of Services) questionnaires were sent to sampled informants by the Office for National Statistics 3-9 months after the registration of the death. Differences in the reported experiences of cancer and non-cancer decedents in symptoms, treatment and care were assessed using Pearson's chi square test. RESULTS: cancer decedents were significantly more likely than non-cancer decedents to have had pain (93 vs 79%, P < 0.001), nausea and vomiting (62 vs 40%, P < 0.001) and constipation (74 vs 66%, P = 0.03), whilst a greater proportion of non-cancer decedents experienced breathlessness (74 vs 65%, P = 0.006). Across both groups, less than half of the decedents were reported to have received treatment which completely relieved their symptoms some or all of the time. There were significant variations in the receipt of district nursing, general practitioner care and other health and social care and the reported quality of this care, for decedents dying of cancer and non-cancer causes. Further, informants for cancer deaths reported greater satisfaction with support received. CONCLUSIONS: there are important differences in the reported experiences of older adults dying from cancer and non-cancer causes in the last months of life, independent of age.
Assuntos
Cuidadores/psicologia , Família , Neoplasias/terapia , Cuidados Paliativos/estatística & dados numéricos , Assistência Terminal/estatística & dados numéricos , Atividades Cotidianas , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Luto , Causas de Morte , Serviços de Saúde Comunitária , Estudos Transversais , Inglaterra , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias/psicologia , Cuidados Paliativos/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida , Estudos Retrospectivos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The aims of this qualitative study were to identify patients' and family members' experiences of acute stroke and their preferences for end-of-life care. Twenty-eight purposely sampled patients with an acute stroke who had high (n = 13) and low (n = 15) disability were selected from 191 sequential cases admitted to two general hospitals in north-east England. In addition, 25 family members of other stroke patients were recruited. Views about current stroke services and preferences for end-of-life care were elicited in semi-structured interviews. Communication between patients and family members and healthcare professionals was consistently highlighted as central to a positive experience of stroke care. Honesty and clarity of information was required, even where prognoses were bleak or uncertain. Patients and family members appeared to attach as much importance to the style of communication as to the substance of the transfer of information. Where decisions had been made to shift the focus of care from active to more passive support, families, and where possible patients, still wished to be included in ongoing dialogue with professionals. Where patients were thought to be dying, family members were keen to ensure that the death was peaceful and dignified. Families reported few opportunities for engagement in any form of choice over place or style of end-of-life care. No family member reported being offered the possibility of the patient dying at home. Uncertainty about prognosis is inevitable in clinical practice, and this can be difficult for patients and families. Our findings demonstrate the importance of improving communication between patient, family and health professionals for seriously ill patients with stroke in UK hospitals.
Assuntos
Atitude Frente a Morte , Comunicação , Cuidados Paliativos/normas , Relações Profissional-Família , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/psicologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos Transversais , Inglaterra , Família/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Cuidados Paliativos/psicologia , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde/normas , Características de Residência , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/terapia , Assistência TerminalRESUMO
To systematically review and meta-synthesise primary qualitative research findings regarding family communication following genetic testing of cancer risk, in order to inform development of effective interventions. Systematic searches of CINAHL, Embase, Medline, British Nursing Index and PsycINFO databases were undertaken and relevant studies identified using strict criteria. The selected primary qualitative studies were appraised for quality and relevance by three independent researchers and then synthesized using a "Framework" approach. Fourteen (4.3%) studies met the inclusion criteria. The following factors influenced family communication following genetic testing for late-onset hereditary cancer: the informant's feelings about informing relatives about genetic testing; the perceived relevance of the information to other family members and their anticipated reactions; the "closeness" of relationships within the family; family rules and patterns (e.g., who is best placed to share information with whom); finding the right time and level of disclosure; and the supportive role of heath care professionals. The themes identified in this review could provide practitioners with a useful framework for discussing family communication with those undergoing genetic testing. This framework focuses on helping health care professionals to facilitate family communication. The next step will be the development of an intervention to directly support people in talking to their relatives.
Assuntos
Família , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Testes Genéticos , Neoplasias/genética , HumanosRESUMO
The National Survey of Bereaved People was conducted by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of NHS England for the first time in 2011, and repeated annually thereafter. It is thought to be the first time that nationally representative data have been collected annually on the experiences of all people who have died, regardless of cause and setting, and made publicly available informing palliative and end-of-life policy, service provision and development, and practice. This paper describes the development of the questionnaire used in the survey, VOICES-SF, a short-form of the VOICES (Views Of Informal Carers-Evaluation of Services) questionnaire, adapted specifically to address the aims of the national survey. The pilot study to refine methods for the national survey is also described. The paper also reports on the development of the retrospective, after-death or mortality follow-back method in palliative and end-of-life care, and reviews its strengths and weaknesses.
Assuntos
Mortalidade , Inquéritos e Questionários/normas , Assistência Terminal/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Cuidadores , Inglaterra , Feminino , Cuidados Paliativos na Terminalidade da Vida/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Cuidados Paliativos/estatística & dados numéricos , Satisfação do Paciente , Projetos Piloto , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Brain death, whether it be brain stem death in the UK, or whole-brain death in the USA, is a prerequisite for heart-beating organ donation. Understanding how brain death is perceived by family members approached about organ donation, its significance to them, and if it is accepted by them, are, therefore, important issues to explore as biomedicine expands the range of end of life technologies that blur the demarcation between life and death. To explore the concept of brain stem death and its meaning to family members the following research questions were posed: (i) what does the diagnosis of death based on brain stem testing mean to bereaved family members who have been approached and asked to consider a donation from a deceased relative, and (ii) how do family members understand the concept of brain stem death? To address these research questions, a secondary analysis of 28 interviews sorted from two primary datasets was carried out. The primary datasets contained longitudinal and cross-sectional interviews carried out in the UK with family members who had been approached about organ donation and agreed to donate their relatives' organs. Data analysis was guided by constructionist grounded theory method and resulted in the theory of Paradoxical Death. In this process, family members and health professionals engage in a series of practical and psychological activities aimed at rationalising real or potential emotional and cognitive conflict resulting from a brain-based diagnosis of death, whilst faced with the physical image of a functioning body. Rationalising emotional and cognitive conflict is how family members and health professionals appeared to process this paradoxical death, a death that is contrary to conventional opinion.
Assuntos
Adaptação Psicológica , Morte Encefálica/diagnóstico , Tronco Encefálico/patologia , Família/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Atitude Frente a Morte , Tomada de Decisões , Feminino , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obtenção de Tecidos e Órgãos , Reino UnidoRESUMO
AIM: This paper is a report of a study which explores patients' experiences and how they talk about living and coping with motor neurone disease. BACKGROUND: Living with motor neurone disease is challenging, frightening and disabling. It leads to progressive physical decline, normally with a prognosis of 3-5 years. Patients have to deal with many problems, including loss of mobility and the inability to communicate. There is little evidence about how people manage these problems or live with this illness. METHOD: Narrative case studies were used, the unit of analysis being a patient living in their own home or a care home. Thirteen adults were recruited through purposeful sampling. Longitudinal narrative interviews were conducted at three-monthly intervals over an 18-month period in 2005-06. Interviews were analysed focusing on the form and content of the patients' narratives. FINDINGS: Four types of narrative, or storyline were identified. The sustaining storyline is about living life as well as possible through keeping active and engaged in life. In contrast, the enduring storyline concerns living in an insurmountable situation leaving the person feeling disempowered, unable to fight for life or against death. Survival is the essence of the preserving storyline, while the fracturing storyline concerns loss and fear of what is to come. CONCLUSION: Storylines help make sense of complex narratives by encouraging closer attention and active listening to the stories and serve as organizing threads to help patients, families and healthcare professionals better understand living with motor neurone disease.
Assuntos
Adaptação Psicológica , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Doença dos Neurônios Motores/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doença dos Neurônios Motores/enfermagem , Doença dos Neurônios Motores/fisiopatologia , Narração , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Estresse Psicológico/psicologiaRESUMO
AIM: This paper is a report of part of an evaluation of the impact of a national palliative care education and support programme on the knowledge and confidence of members of district nursing teams. BACKGROUND: District nursing teams are the mainstay of 'hands on' provision of care at home. In recognition of their central role, the English Department of Health commissioned a national palliative care education programme as postregistration education had been limited. METHODS: The evaluation, conducted between 2002 and 2004, had a mixed methods design. In the summative component, 1280 nurses were randomly selected from eight cancer networks to receive postal questionnaires 1 year apart, before and after the educational intervention. Changes in scores were calculated and a multiple regression analysis undertaken to identify predictors of improvement in confidence in competence and knowledge. The formative component involved qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of 39 district nurses participating in the programme. FINDINGS: Nurses who responded in both years (374/32%) were included in the analysis. There was a small statistically significant increase in confidence in palliative care competency and knowledge after participation in the educational programmes. Nurses without district nursing qualifications and who had never worked in specialist palliative care had the largest improvements in scores. Qualitative data supported these findings. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the education programme led to improvements in self-reported district nursing confidence in palliative care competencies and knowledge; it is likely that the baseline level of palliative care confidence in competency and knowledge has as a result been raised nationally.