Using simulation to enhance primary care sexual health services for breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of a virtual simulation game (VSG) to improve primary care sexual health services for breast cancer survivors. METHODS: We developed a VSG to help primary care providers (PCPs) address sexual health disturbances among breast cancer survivors. We used a pretest-posttest design with a series of validated tools to assess the feasibility and perceived impact of the  VGS, including an open-ended question about participants' perceptions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data through an inductive content analysis approach. RESULTS: Of the 60 participants, the majority were nurse practitioner students (n = 26; 43.3%), female (n = 48; 80%), and worked full-time (n = 35; 58.3%). Participants perceived the VSG as feasible and potentially effective. The intervention elicited an improvement in PCPs' perception of knowledge between pretest and posttest surveys (z = - 1.998, p = 0.046). Professional background and previous exposure to sexual health training were predictors of knowledge perception. Participants described the intervention as an engaging educational strategy where they felt safe to make mistakes and learn from that. CONCLUSIONS: VSGs can be a potentially effective educational approach for PCPs. Our findings indicate that despite being an engaging interactive strategy, VSG interventions should be tailored for each professional group. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This intervention has potential to improve the knowledge and practice of PCPs related to breast cancer follow-up care to support comprehensive care for survivors, resulting in a better quality of life and patient outcomes.

The use of clinical simulation in wound care education for nurses: a scoping review protocol.

Many nurse educators consider simulation a valuable tool to supplement and augment learning due to current shortages of clinical placements. Wound care is integral to nursing practice yet many students and practicing nurses experience difficulties in securing sufficient learning opportunities or experience at the undergraduate level to feel competent in providing it. Emerging evidence supports simulation as a promising intervention to facilitate student learning in wound care, building nurses' confidence and competence in providing evidence-based wound care. OBJECTIVE: To understand how clinical simulation is being used to educate nurses about wound assessment and management, and to explore the impact of clinical simulation on learning outcomes, including knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and skills related to wound care. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria include studies of nursing students and nurses, simulation educational interventions, and learning outcomes related to wound care evaluated by any measures. Any studies that do not fit these criteria will be excluded. METHODS: Databases to be searched include PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, SciELO up to February 2022. Studies in English with a date limit of 2012 to 2022 will be included. Search results will be imported into Covidence and screened by two independent reviewers, first based on the title and abstract and then full text. Data will be extracted with a novel extraction tool developed by the reviewers and then synthesised and presented in narrative, tabular, and/or graphical forms. DISSEMINATION: The finished scoping review will be published in a scientific journal once analysis is completed.

Identifying the Professional Development Needs Among Early Career Doctorally Prepared Oncology Professionals.

This study aimed to identify the professional development needs of early career doctorally prepared professionals in psychosocial oncology. We used a cross-sectional descriptive survey design to assess professionally related skills deemed most important to participants' academic excellence and promotion, skills they felt most and least confident to engage in, and those they were most interested to learn more about. Seventeen participants completed the survey and were, on average, 39.3 years of age (range 29-55 years) and had completed doctoral or post-doctoral training 3.1 years previously (range 0-5 years). Participants identified seeking external funding as not only the most important skill to achieve their academic excellence and promotion, but also as the skill they felt least confident to engage in. They felt most confident to engage in career planning and getting published and were most interested to learn more about how to negotiate a career/position. Participants also expressed interest in having access to a forum wherein they could collaborate with others and receive mentorship from expert oncology professionals with doctoral degrees. The findings from this study point to the need for professional development opportunities for oncology professionals before and after they complete their doctoral or post-doctoral training. Study participants' perspectives offer insights about topics that may be enhanced in doctoral and post-doctoral mentorship programs.

"How to start that conversation?": Experiences of developing a virtual simulation about sexual health care for breast cancer survivors.

Virtual simulation (VS) is an innovative and engaging knowledge translation strategy that can improve healthcare providers' knowledge and skills. However, there is no known literature published related to the use of simulation to improve cancer survivorship care. In this paper, we describe our experience of developing a VS to educate primary healthcare professionals about sexual health disturbances among breast cancer survivors. Based on literature in other contexts, this VS may help increase health professionals' knowledge and skills needed to assist breast cancer survivors with sexual health concerns. Our VS development experience can be used to encourage and guide other researchers planning to develop similar interventions in the future.

Exploring the effect of neurofeedback on postcancer cognitive impairment and fatigue: A pilot feasibility study.

Purpose: Postcancer cognitive impairment (PCCI) and fatigue are adverse effects that often persist following cancer treatment, and impact quality of life. The study purpose was to evaluate feasibility and effect of neurofeedback on cognitive functioning and fatigue in cancer survivors. Specifically, we aimed to test feasibility of recruitment strategies and our study protocol including outcome measures. Design: This pilot feasibility study used a 10-week wait-list design. Participants served as their own controls and received neurofeedback training twice a week for 10 weeks. Participants: The sample consisted of breast cancer survivors from Kingston, Ontario (n = 16). Methods: Outcomes were assessed using validated, self-report scales and neuropsychological tests before, during, and after neurofeedback. Findings: The neurofeedback protocol was feasible and resulted in significant decreases in perceived cognitive deficits, fatigue, sleep, and psychological symptoms. Implications for psychosocial providers: Neurofeedback may be an effective, non-invasive complementary therapy for PCCI in breast cancer survivors.

Development of an online educational toolkit for sexual orientation and gender identity minority nursing care / Desenvolvimento de um kit de ferramentas educacionais online para os cuidados de enfermagem das minorias de orientação sexual e identidade de gênero / Desarrollo de un kit de herramientas educativas en línea para la atención de enfermería de las minorías de orientación sexual e identidad de género

Objective: to develop and implement an online education resources to address a gap in nursing education regarding the concept of cultural humility and its application to healthcare encounters with persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex (LGBTQI) or Two-Spirit. Improved understanding of LGBTQI and Two-Spirit community health issues is essential to reducing the healthcare access barriers they currently face. Method: an online educational toolkit was developed that included virtual simulation games and curated resources. The development process included community involvement, a team-building meeting, development of learning outcomes, decision-point maps and scriptwriting for filming. A website and learning management system was designed to present learning objectives, curated resources, and the virtual games. Results: the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Nursing Toolkit was created to advance cultural humility in nursing practice. The learning toolkit focuses on encounters using cultural humility to meet the unique needs of LGBTQI and Two-Spirit communities. Conclusion: our innovative online educational toolkit can be used to provide professional development of nurses and other healthcare practitioners to care for LGBTQI and Two-Spirit individuals.

Objetivo: desenvolver e implementar uma ferramenta educacional online para atender a uma demanda na educação de enfermagem a respeito do conceito de humildade cultural e sua aplicação às consultas e cuidados de saúde das pessoas que se identificam como lésbicas, gays, bissexuais transgêneros, queers, intersexuais (LGBTQI) ou Dois-Espíritos. Um melhor entendimento das questões de saúde da comunidade LGBTQI e Dois-Espíritos é essencial para reduzir as atuais barreiras que eles encontram no acesso aos cuidados de saúde. Método: foi desenvolvido um kit de ferramentas educacionais online que inclui jogos de simulação virtual e recursos selecionados. O processo de desenvolvimento abrangeu envolvimento comunitário, encontro para formação de equipe, desenvolvimento de desfechos de aprendizagem, mapas de pontos de decisão e escrita de roteiros para gravações. Um site-sistema de gerência da aprendizagem foi desenhado para apresentação dos objetivos de aprendizagem, recursos selecionados e os jogos virtuais. Resultados: o Kit de Ferramentas de Enfermagem para Orientação Sexual e Identidade de Gênero foi criado para a promoção da humildade cultural na prática de enfermagem. O kit de aprendizagem foca nos encontros que usam humildade cultural para atender às necessidades específicas das comunidades LGBTQI e Dois-Espíritos. Conclusão: nosso inovador kit de ferramentas educacionais online pode ser usado para promover o desenvolvimento profissional de enfermeiros e outros profissionais da saúde nos cuidados aos indivíduos LGBTQI e Dois-Espíritos.

Objetivo: desarrollar e implementar una herramienta educativa en línea para satisfacer una demanda en la educación de enfermería sobre el concepto de humildad cultural y su aplicación a las consultas y atención de la salud de las personas que se identifican como lesbianas, gais, bisexuales, transgénero, queer, intersexuales (LGBTQI) o Dos Espíritus. Una mejor comprensión de los problemas de salud de la comunidad LGBTQI y Dos Espíritus es esencial para reducir los obstáculos que enfrentan actualmente para acceder a la atención médica. Método: se desarrolló un kit de herramientas educativas en línea que incluye juegos de simulación virtual y recursos seleccionados. El proceso de desarrollo incluyó la participación de la comunidad, reuniones para la formación de equipos, desarrollo de resultados de aprendizaje, mapas de puntos de decisión y redacción de guiones para grabaciones. Se diseñó un sitio-sistema de gestión del aprendizaje para presentar los objetivos del aprendizaje, los recursos seleccionados y los juegos virtuales. Resultados: se creó el Kit de Herramientas de Enfermería para la Orientación Sexual y la Identidad de Género para promover la humildad cultural en la práctica de la enfermería. El kit de aprendizaje se centra en reuniones que utilizan la humildad cultural para satisfacer las necesidades específicas de las comunidades LGBTQI y Dos Espíritus. Conclusión: nuestro innovador kit de herramientas educativas en línea se puede utilizar para promover el desarrollo profesional de enfermeros y otros profesionales de la salud para el cuidado de personas LGBTQI y de Dos Espíritus.

Exploring the Use of Neurofeedback by Cancer Survivors: Results of Interviews with Neurofeedback Providers and Clients.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer survivors may experience persistent physical and psychological symptoms following completion of cancer treatment. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive form of brain training reported to help with symptoms including pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive decline; however, there is a lack of research exploring its use with cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of neurofeedback and its impact on the lives of posttreatment cancer survivors as perceived by neurofeedback providers and cancer survivor clients. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study employed semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of interview transcripts. A convenience sample of twelve neurofeedback providers and five cancer survivor clients participated in this study. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed seven overarching themes as follows: (1) paying it forward; (2) transforming lives; (3) regaining control; (4) brain healing itself; (5) comforting experience, (6) accessibility, and (7) failure to respond. The first five themes related to benefits of neurofeedback, and the final two related to challenges of using neurofeedback with cancer survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the use of neurofeedback to improve quality of life for cancer survivors; however, more research is needed to determine which neurofeedback systems and protocols are most effective for this population with persistent symptoms.

A Systematic Review of the Safety and Effect of Neurofeedback on Fatigue and Cognition.

BACKGROUND: Many cancer survivors continue to experience ongoing symptoms, such as fatigue and cognitive impairment, which are poorly managed and have few effective, evidence-based treatment options. Neurofeedback is a noninvasive, drug-free form of brain training that may alleviate long-term symptoms reported by cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to describe the effectiveness and safety of neurofeedback for managing fatigue and cognitive impairment. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. A comprehensive search of 5 databases was conducted: Medline, CINAHL, AMED, PsycInfo, and Embase. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, controlled before and after studies, cohort, case control studies, and descriptive studies were included in this review. RESULTS: Twenty-seven relevant studies were included in the critical appraisals. The quality of most studies was poor to moderate based on the JBI critical appraisal checklists. Seventeen studies were deemed of sufficient quality to be included in the review: 10 experimental studies and 7 descriptive studies. Of these, only 2 were rated as high-quality studies and the remaining were rated as moderate quality. All 17 included studies reported positive results for at least one fatigue or cognitive outcome in a variety of populations, including 1 study with breast cancer survivors. Neurofeedback interventions were well tolerated with only 3 studies reporting any side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Despite issues with methodological quality, the overall positive findings and few reported side effects suggest neurofeedback could be helpful in alleviating fatigue and cognitive impairment. Currently, there is insufficient evidence that neurofeedback is an effective therapy for management of these symptoms in cancer survivors, however, these promising results support the need for further research with this patient population. More information about which neurofeedback technologies, approaches, and protocols could be successfully used with cancer survivors and with minimal side effects is needed. This research will have significance to nurses and physicians in oncology and primary care settings who provide follow-up care and counseling to cancer survivors experiencing debilitating symptoms in order to provide information and education related to evidence-based therapy options.

Are primary care providers implementing evidence-based care for breast cancer survivors?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of key best practice guideline recommendations for posttreatment breast cancer survivorship care by primary care providers (PCPs). DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Southeastern Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-two PCPs: 62 family physicians (FPs) and 20 primary health care nurse practitioners (PHCNPs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-one "need-to-know" breast cancer survivorship care guideline recommendations rated by participants as "implemented routinely," "aware of guideline recommendation but not implemented routinely," or "not aware of guideline recommendation." RESULTS: Overall, FPs and PHCNPs in our sample reported similar practice patterns in terms of implementation of breast cancer survivorship guideline recommendations. The PCPs reported routinely implementing approximately half (46.4%, 9.7 of 21) of the key guideline recommendations with breast cancer survivors in their practices. Implementation rates were higher for recommendations related to prevention and surveillance aspects of survivorship care, such as mammography and weight management. Knowledge and practice gaps were highest for recommendations related to screening for and management of long-term effects such as fatigue and distress. There were only a few minor differences reported between FPs and PHCNPs. CONCLUSION: There are knowledge and practice gaps related to implementation of the key guideline recommendations for breast cancer survivorship care in the primary care setting that could be targeted for improvement through educational or other interventions.

A comprehensive framework and key guideline recommendations for the provision of evidence-based breast cancer survivorship care within the primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors continue to experience physical and psychosocial health care needs post-treatment. Primary care involvement is increasing as cancer centres move forward with earlier discharge of stable breast cancer survivors to primary care follow-up. Research suggests primary care providers (PCPs) are willing to provide survivorship care but many lack knowledge and confidence to provide evidence-based care. Although clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) exist for follow-up surveillance and certain aspects of survivorship care, no single comprehensive guideline addresses all significant breast cancer survivorship issues encountered in primary care. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to create a comprehensive clinical practice framework to guide the provision of breast cancer survivorship care in primary care settings. METHODS: This study consisted of an extensive search, appraisal and synthesis of CPGs for post-treatment breast cancer care using a modified Delphi method. Breast cancer survivorship issues and relevant CPGs were mapped to four essential components of survivorship care to create a comprehensive clinical practice framework to guide provision of breast cancer survivorship care. RESULTS: The completed framework consists of a one-page checklist outlining breast cancer survivorship issues relevant to primary care, a three-page summary of key recommendations and a one-page list of guideline sources. The framework and key guideline recommendations were verified by a panel of experts for comprehensiveness, importance and relevance to primary care. CONCLUSIONS: This framework may serve as a tool to remind PCPs about issues impacting breast cancer survivors, as well as the evidence-based recommendations and resources to provide the associated care.

Fatigue and physical activity in older patients with cancer: a six-month follow-up study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between fatigue and physical activity in older patients with cancer. DESIGN: Targeted analysis using data from a prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: A cancer care facility in southeastern Ontario, Canada. SAMPLE: 440 patients, aged 65 years and older, seeking consultation for cancer treatment at a regional cancer clinic for lymphoma or leukemia or lung, breast, genitourinary, head or neck, gastrointestinal, or skin cancers. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires were mailed to consenting participants and completed at baseline and three and six months after consultation for cancer treatment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Participants rated fatigue and physical activity and reported comorbidities and personal demographic characteristics. Clinical measures of disease and treatment factors were obtained through chart abstraction. FINDINGS: Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom reported. Higher fatigue was associated with lower physical activity levels. Physical activity level significantly predicted fatigue level, regardless of age. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity level is a modifiable factor significantly predicting cancer-related fatigue at three and six months following consultation for cancer treatment. The results suggest that physical activity may reduce fatigue in older patients with cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Physical activity interventions should be developed and tested in older patients with cancer.

Fatigue and physical activity in older adults with cancer: a systematic review of the literature.

Cancer is a disease predominantly affecting older adults. Cancer fatigue is the most common and often most distressing symptom associated with cancer and its treatment, often persisting months to years after treatment. Untreated cancer fatigue may lead to significant reductions in physical activity, physical functioning, and quality of life and may interfere with patients' adherence to cancer treatment. Physical activity has the strongest supporting evidence as an intervention to reduce cancer fatigue, maintain physical function, and optimize quality of life. This article reviews the literature related to fatigue and physical activity in older adults with cancer. Nine experimental and 10 observational studies that enrolled subjects 65 years or older were synthesized in the review and provided evidence that physical activity may be an effective intervention for cancer fatigue in older adults. The generalizability of the findings to older adults was limited by the poor representation of this age group in the studies. Few studies provided an analysis of age-related effects of physical activity on fatigue, physical function, and quality of life.