Geriatric oncology in Spain: survey results and analysis of the current situation

Introduction: Geriatric oncology (GO) is a discipline that focuses on the management of elderly patients with cancer. The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) created a Working group dedicated to geriatric oncology in February 2016. Objectives: The main goal of this study was to describe the current situation in Spain regarding the management of elderly cancer patients through an online survey of medical oncologists. Methods: A descriptive survey was sent to several hospitals by means of the SEOM website. A personal e-mail was also sent to SEOM members. Results: Between March 2016 and April 2017, 154 answers were collected. Only 74 centers (48%) had a geriatrics department and a mere 21 (14%) medical oncology departments had a person dedicated to GO. The vast majority (n = 135; 88%) had the perception that the number of elderly patients with cancer seen in clinical practice had increased. Eighteen (12%) oncologists had specific protocols and geriatric scales were used at 55 (31%) centers. Almost all (92%) claimed to apply special management practices using specific tools. There was agreement that GO afforded certain potential advantages. Finally, 99% of the oncologists surveyed believed it and that training in GO had to be improved. Conclusions: From the nationwide survey promoted by the Spanish Geriatric Oncology Working Group on behalf of SEOM, we conclude that there is currently no defined care structure for elderly cancer patients. There is an increasing perception of the need for training in GO. This survey reflects a reality in which specific needs are perceived

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Geriatric oncology in Spain: survey results and analysis of the current situation.

INTRODUCTION: Geriatric oncology (GO) is a discipline that focuses on the management of elderly patients with cancer. The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) created a Working group dedicated to geriatric oncology in February 2016. OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study was to describe the current situation in Spain regarding the management of elderly cancer patients through an online survey of medical oncologists. METHODS: A descriptive survey was sent to several hospitals by means of the SEOM website. A personal e-mail was also sent to SEOM members. RESULTS: Between March 2016 and April 2017, 154 answers were collected. Only 74 centers (48%) had a geriatrics department and a mere 21 (14%) medical oncology departments had a person dedicated to GO. The vast majority (n = 135; 88%) had the perception that the number of elderly patients with cancer seen in clinical practice had increased. Eighteen (12%) oncologists had specific protocols and geriatric scales were used at 55 (31%) centers. Almost all (92%) claimed to apply special management practices using specific tools. There was agreement that GO afforded certain potential advantages. Finally, 99% of the oncologists surveyed believed it and that training in GO had to be improved. CONCLUSIONS: From the nationwide survey promoted by the Spanish Geriatric Oncology Working Group on behalf of SEOM, we conclude that there is currently no defined care structure for elderly cancer patients. There is an increasing perception of the need for training in GO. This survey reflects a reality in which specific needs are perceived.

Chronic haemodialysis and personality.

UNLABELLED: The object of this study was to detect the influence of time under treatment on haemodialysis on the personality. The samples are a group on haemodialysis (EXT, n = 62) and a control group (CON, n = 33). The haemodialysis patients were grouped by years under treatment (EX1 less than 4 years, and EX2 greater than 4 years). To study personality variables, the Eysenck Personality Inventory test was used. The results showed, using t test, significant differences on neuroticism (N), extraversion (E) and lie or dissimulation (L), between both experimental subgroups (N, p less than 0.01; E, p less than 0.05 and L, p less than 0.02) as well as between experimental and control groups (N, p less than 0.01; E, p less than 0.01 and L, p less than 0.001). On the experimental group (EXT) a high neuroticism (mean = 73.1) level was observed associated with a low level of extraversion (mean = 41.8) and lie or dissimulation (mean = 29.9). According to the observed results, the length of time on haemodialysis affects the groups in a different, significant way. In the EX2 it is observed that the scores decrease on the three personality dimensions, their differences being significant. CONCLUSIONS: This chronic illness places patients first on a very high level of neuroticism, as a confrontation to the stress provoked by their situation. Following this, due to the patients' awareness of their own chronic state, the level of neuroticism decreases, their high level of introversion and the absence of lie as a possible defense mechanism of denial facing their hard reality being more significant.