From theory to practice: implementing a standardized, interactive education session on oral anticancer medication (OAM) for patients and their caregivers.

PURPOSE: Self-administration at home and decreased visits to see health care professionals bring patients on oral anticancer medication (OAM) and their caregivers to become experts in handling medication, managing adverse events, and making sure that they adhere to treatment. This project aimed to implement a standardized education group session for patients starting an OAM regimen and their caregivers that would build new knowledge, validate comprehension of information, increase satisfaction, and empower participants in self-management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group session led by an oncology nurse was developed. The theoretical section consisted of short videos that include both verbal and visual explanations. The practical component consisted of quizzes with electronic recordings and instant answers. Turning Point technology was used to compile and analyze the data. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period, 124 patients and 79 caregivers participated in the group sessions. More than 111 h were saved by giving standardized group sessions instead of individual teachings. The participants' level of confidence regarding the essential concepts to master significantly increased following the group sessions. The results ranged from 18% of participants who answered 4 or 5 on a five-point Likert-type scale before the session to 100% who answered 4 or 5 after the group session. 94% of participants responded with a rating of 4 or 5 when asked if they were satisfied with the overall interactive group session. CONCLUSION: It is crucial that caregivers participate in the initial OAM teaching. The involvement of the interdisciplinary team was crucial in meeting the informational needs of patients. A standardized group session accessible for viewing and use by all health care professionals and patients simplifies the process of sharing high-quality learning materials in a technological society.

Immune-mediated respiratory adverse events of checkpoint inhibitors.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated remarkable efficacy with durable responses in the treatment of various malignancies. This new class of therapeutic agents is associated with a toxicity profile that differs from conventional cytotoxic therapy. The present review is focused on one of these toxicities affecting the respiratory system. RECENT FINDINGS: Many types of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been identified since the emergence of checkpoint inhibitors including colitis, nephritis, myasthenia gravis-like syndromes, acute interstitial nephritis, pneumonitis, and endocrinopathies. Although pneumonitis is relatively less frequent than other irAEs, this toxicity is by no means inconsequential as it has led to treatment-related deaths during the initial testing phases. SUMMARY: Immune-mediated pneumonitis is a potentially serious but relatively infrequent adverse event associated with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. IrAEs can be challenging for oncologists who are still unfamiliar with the early presenting symptoms and subsequent management of these toxicities, especially in the context of a rapidly expanding science. A high index of suspicion for pneumonitis must be maintained in patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors and who present new onset respiratory symptoms because this type of toxicity can be severe and potentially fatal.