Evaluation of an online communication skills training programme for oncology nurses working with patients from minority backgrounds.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and assess the feasibility of an online communication skills training intervention to increase cultural competence amongst oncology nurses working with individuals from minority backgrounds. METHODS: The intervention provided examples of communication strategies using vignette-based, professionally produced videos, developed through an iterative process with input from a large multidisciplinary team. Fifty-three oncology nurses completed all three questionnaires at baseline, within 2 weeks and then 3 months after accessing the programme. RESULTS: The online intervention was well received by the majority of participants, and was endorsed as clearly presented, informative, relevant and useful by more than 90% of participants. Eighty-seven percent of participants reported increased confidence in communicating with patients via an interpreter, and 93% agreed that skills they gained would be useful in providing better patient care. Participants reported significant improvements in practice while interacting with people with limited English proficiency 2 weeks and 3 months after accessing the website (X2 = 13.66, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This online communication training programme can now be tested for its utility in improving patient care for oncology nurses working with patients from minority backgrounds.

Psychoeducational interventions to alleviate hot flashes: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Hot flashes are frequent and bothersome in menopausal women and breast cancer survivors. Most pharmacological interventions or herbal therapies for hot flashes have limitations because of contraindications in breast cancer survivors, side effects, or lack of proven efficacy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of psychoeducational interventions, including relaxation, on hot flashes in menopausal women and women previously diagnosed with breast cancer. DESIGN: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library, and reference lists of articles were searched for relevant articles published between January 1980 and December 2006. Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by two of the authors. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving 475 patients were included. Five studies evaluated psychoeducational interventions, including education, counseling, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. All showed an improvement in vasomotor symptoms, although the experimental group in the two studies containing the largest numbers of participants also received pharmacological therapies. Nine trials evaluated the efficacy of relaxation techniques to improve hot flashes. Five of these studies showed a significant improvement in hot flashes. Only three of the 14 studies evaluated a psychoeducational intervention in breast cancer survivors. Two of these showed a significant improvement in hot flashes. CONCLUSIONS: Psychoeducational interventions, including relaxation, seem to alleviate hot flashes in menopausal women and breast cancer survivors; however, the methodological quality of published research is either fair or poor. More studies are required, especially in the breast cancer population where only a few studies are available, before psychoeducational interventions are offered as a treatment option.

Communicating with patients from minority backgrounds: Individual challenges experienced by oncology health professionals.

PURPOSE: Oncology health professionals (HPs) are increasingly required to care for patients from minority backgrounds. Yet many HPs have not had formal training in how to communicate effectively in culturally diverse settings. More information is needed about the challenges that oncology HPs face in communicating with minority patients to inform the content of formal training programs. This qualitative study aimed to identify oncology nurses' and oncologists' individual experiences and challenges in communicating with patients from minority backgrounds. METHOD: Thirty-eight oncology HPs (21 oncology nurses, 12 medical oncologists, and 5 radiation oncologists) were interviewed individually or in focus groups about their experiences communicating with patients from minority backgrounds. The interviews were audio taped and analysed thematically. RESULTS: The majority of participants (82%) reported varying degrees of uncertainty and discomfort regarding working with minority patients, with many barriers to communication encountered. Participants perceived that minority patients received less emotional support than majority group patients. They experienced challenges in balancing beliefs about patient autonomy with cultural differences regarding the role of the family. Strategies employed by participants to facilitate interactions included: modifying speech, taking more time in consultations, rapport building, and using nonverbal techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Oncology HPs encounter many linguistic and cultural barriers when communicating with minority patients. They need formal training tailored to developing culturally competent communication. Oncology nurses and oncologists could benefit from formal communication skills training focused upon cultural competence during their career development programs.

Developing an Evidence-Based, Nurse-Led Psychoeducational Intervention With Peer Support in Gynecologic Oncology.

BACKGROUND: The physical and psychosocial impact of radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer requires complex interventions to address treatment-related, psychosocial, and psychosexual and survivorship needs. A multidisciplinary approach is required to address these needs, but standard practice is varied and lacks a sound evidence base. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the process of development and pilot testing of a novel evidence-based, complex psychoeducational intervention aiming to improve psychosocial outcomes for gynecologic-oncology patients treated curatively with radiotherapy. METHODS: The intervention combines tailored nursing consultations with telephone peer support pretreatment, midtreatment, end of treatment, and posttreatment. The UK Medical Research Council framework for developing complex interventions was used to produce an evidence-based, feasible, and acceptable intervention. RESULTS: Intervention manuals and study materials were informed by literature reviews of best-available evidence, relevant theory, and iterative consumer and expert consultations. The nurse manual specified content for consultations providing self-care information, coaching tailored to individual needs, and multidisciplinary care coordination. The peer manual described phone consultations aimed at providing psychosocial support and encouraging adherence to self-care strategies. Three peers and 1 nurse underwent rigorous skills and knowledge-based intervention delivery training. The intervention was pilot tested with 6 patients. Qualitative feedback led to minor design and content changes. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was found to be feasible, relevant, and acceptable to participants and clinicians and is currently being tested in a national randomized controlled trial (PeNTAGOn). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Medical Research Council framework is useful in developing nursing interventions. The specific methods and strategies described are useful for designing future complex studies targeting patient supportive care.

Is symptom burden a predictor of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer about to commence chemotherapy?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, severity and distress from physical symptoms and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients about to undergo chemotherapy for potentially curable cancers; and to explore the presence of symptom clusters and investigate their relationships with anxiety and depression. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey of 192 patients with breast or gastrointestinal cancers or lymphoma before first ever chemotherapy treatment with curative intent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess anxiety and depression and the Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale to measure physical symptom prevalence, severity and distress ("bother"). RESULTS: Prevalence of anxiety was 45% and depression 25%. The most prevalent physical symptoms were pain (48%), feeling unusually tired (45%) and difficulty sleeping (45%). Physical symptoms rated as most severe were pain (28%), difficulty sleeping (26%) and feeling unusually tired (19%). Physical symptoms causing the most distress were pain (39%), constipation (18%) and nausea (16%). Factor analysis of symptom distress scores indicated that five factors explained 36.7% of the variance and included: gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, pain), general malaise (tiredness, feeling weak, headaches), emotional (feeling depressed, feeling anxious), nutritional (changes to appetite, weight loss or gain) and general physical (mouth/throat problems, shortness of breath). Regression analysis indicated that symptom distress for the malaise (beta = 1.46; P < 0.001), nutritional (beta = 0.70; P < 0.05) and gastrointestinal (beta = 0.73; P < 0.05) factors were independent predictors of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Before commencing chemotherapy, patients are already experiencing distressing symptoms and have high scores for anxiety and depression, partially explained by physical symptom distress. Patients should be routinely screened for both emotional and physical needs and appropriate interventions should be developed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN012606000178549.