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1.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev ; 25(6): 1945-1951, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38918655

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With earlier prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and increased survivorship, post-treatment quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) is a widely adopted QoL instrument for PCa. We aimed to create a Punjabi version of EPIC to further research in the Punjabi-speaking population. METHODS: A prototype of the Punjabi version of EPIC was created by forward-backward translations and revision. After concluding the cultural adaptation phase by interviewing 15 participants, a pilot version was created. Validation of the pilot version was performed by having 72 participants complete the Punjabi EPIC and another commonly used QoL instrument, the EORTC QLQ-c30, twice within a 4-week period. Test retest reliability (Pearson's correlations and difference distribution) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) were measured using SAS version 9.4. RESULTS: Modifications were needed for the prototype Punjabi version after forward-backward translations. Cultural adaptation has highlighted a few issues including syntax and terminology.  Test-retest reliability of the Urinary, Bowel, Sexual and Hormone domains were 0.88, 0.91, 0.91, and 0.95, respectively, and subscale correlations ranged from 0.75 to 0.93. Internal consistency for domains and subscales was good except for Sexual Domain. Performance of EPIC is comparable, and in some cases, slightly better than validated Punjabi version of EORTC QLQ-C30. CONCLUSIONS: The EPIC questionnaire was successfully translated into Punjabi and was culturally adapted.  The resultant Punjabi version has high reliability and validity and will be an important tool for QoL research in the Punjabi population. EPIC was successfully translated, culturally adapted, and validated with high reliability and validity into Punjabi. It will be a valuable QoL tool for physicians in clinical and research settings, and for patients in decision-making.


Subject(s)
Prostatic Neoplasms , Psychometrics , Quality of Life , Humans , Male , Surveys and Questionnaires , Prostatic Neoplasms/psychology , Reproducibility of Results , Middle Aged , Aged , Prognosis , Translations , Follow-Up Studies , Pilot Projects , India
2.
JAMA Netw Open ; 6(10): e2337245, 2023 10 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37819662

ABSTRACT

Importance: Fertility is important to many survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer, yet data on this population's fertility perceptions and their alignment with objective infertility risk are scant. Objective: To assess whether estimated treatment gonadotoxicity and posttreatment menstrual pattern are associated with higher infertility risk perception. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included female young adult survivors of cancer diagnosed between ages 15 and 39 years were recruited between March 25, 2015, and September 24, 2018, from 2 state cancer registries, social media, and clinician referrals to participate in a study of posttreatment ovarian function. Data analysis occurred between March 1 and September 1, 2022. Exposures: Participants reported their menstrual pattern. Estimated treatment gonadotoxicity was ascertained through medical record review. Main Outcomes and Measures: Participants reported infertility risk perception and were categorized as increased risk (feeling less fertile or unable to become pregnant) or no increased risk (feeling more or as fertile) compared with female individuals their age. Objective infertility risk was determined by estimated gonadotoxicity, menstrual pattern, and ovarian reserve testing of self-collected dried blood spots. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with perceived infertility and underestimation or overestimation of infertility risk. Results: This study included 785 female participants with a mean (SD) age of 33.2 (4.8) years at enrollment and 25.9 (5.7) years at diagnosis. Most participants self-identified their race and ethnicity as White (585 [74.5%]) and non-Hispanic (628 [78.7%]). Most participants (483 [61.5%]) perceived a higher risk of infertility compared with female participants their age. Prior exposure to moderate- or high-gonadotoxicity treatments was associated with higher odds of perceiving increased infertility risk compared with exposure to low-gonadotoxicity treatments (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.73 [95% CI, 1.87-3.97] and 15.39 [95% CI, 5.52-42.96], respectively). Amenorrhea and irregular cycles were associated with higher odds of perceiving increased infertility risk (AOR, 3.98 [95% CI, 2.13-7.41] and 1.69 [95% CI, 1.19-2.40], respectively). Perceived infertility risk had minimal agreement with objective risk (κ = 0.19). Multiparity (AOR, 4.17 [95% CI, 2.61-6.64]) was associated with increased odds of underestimation, while older age (AOR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.89-0.98]), endocrine comorbidity (AOR, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.18-0.69]), and prior infertility (AOR, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.07-0.38]) were associated with lower odds of underestimation. Multiparity (AOR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.27-0.86]), breast cancer (AOR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.20-0.73]), and skin cancer (AOR, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.11-0.51]) were associated with lower odds of overestimation. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, survivors of AYA cancer had high rates of perceiving increased infertility risk but frequently overestimated or underestimated their risk. These findings suggest that counseling on infertility risk throughout survivorship may reduce misalignment between perceptions and actual risk, decrease fertility-related psychological distress, and inform family planning decisions.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Cancer Survivors , Infertility , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Young Adult , Adolescent , Adult , Cohort Studies , Retrospective Studies , Cancer Survivors/psychology , Fertility , Survivors
3.
J Cancer Surviv ; 17(6): 1660-1668, 2023 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36289184

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Pregnancy intentions are associated with preconception health behaviors but are understudied among female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Preconception health is critical for survivors because they face unique risks to fertility and pregnancy from late effects of cancer treatments. This study prospectively assessed the effect of pregnancy intention on physical activity (PA) and smoking behaviors among female AYA survivors. METHODS: A cohort of 1049 female AYA survivors were recruited between 2013 and 2017. Participants were 18-39 years and had completed primary cancer treatment. Longitudinal mixed effects analysis was conducted on participants who completed at least 2 of 4 questionnaires over 1.5 years. Two measures were used to capture multiple dimensions of pregnancy intention. The pregnancy intention score (PIS) captured wanting and planning dimensions and represented a scaled response of low to high intention. The trying dimension captured urgent intention and ranged from not trying, ambivalent (neither attempting nor avoiding pregnancy), and trying now. Intention change was assessed between each consecutive time points. Final analysis was conducted with multiple imputations. RESULTS: Survivors with increased intention measured by trying was associated with increased PA over time (adjusted B [95%CI]: 0.3 [0.01, 0.5]) compared to survivors with no changes or decreased trying intention. PIS was not significantly associated with preconception behaviors. No measure of intention was associated with smoking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Increasingly urgent pregnancy intention (trying dimension) was associated with higher preconception PA. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Screening for immediate intentions can identify AYA survivors in need of early preconception health promotion.


Subject(s)
Cancer Survivors , Preconception Care , Pregnancy , Young Adult , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Intention , Prospective Studies , Health Behavior
4.
Sci Diabetes Self Manag Care ; 48(5): 362-371, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35916341

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to understand the experiences of adults with diabetes wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). METHODS: This qualitative, descriptive study included 19 adults with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, who had used the FreeStyle Libre CGM for at least 4 weeks, from an outpatient clinic at a university-affiliated hospital in Korea. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach. RESULTS: The content analysis revealed 3 major themes-navigating glucose level fluctuations, reframing diabetes self-care and improving quality of life, and device improvement and service quality. Participants reported that CGMs offered convenient glucose level monitoring, allowed early response to rapid glucose changes, and facilitated effective patient-clinician communication. Participants expressed concerns about the financial burden and limited services, recommending improvements for devices, consumer services, and health insurance coverage. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings indicated that using wearable CGMs could improve self-care and quality of life in adults with diabetes. Using CGMs could improve patients' understanding of how diabetes self-care management affects real-time glucose levels. Health care providers could support patients' self-care by using device data. Improvements in quality, services, and insurance coverage could increase user satisfaction and promote self-care.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Wearable Electronic Devices , Adult , Blood Glucose/analysis , Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Humans , Quality of Life
5.
Cancer ; 128(3): 615-623, 2022 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34634132

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors face higher infertility and pregnancy risks than peers with no cancer history. Preconception health behaviors such as physical activity (PA), tobacco smoking, and alcohol intake influence reproductive outcomes. In general populations, pregnancy intention is positively associated with healthy preconception behaviors, but it has not been studied among AYA survivors. The authors hypothesized that higher pregnancy intention would be associated with healthier behaviors, especially among AYA survivors with perceived infertility risk. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with data collected between 2013 and 2017 from 1071 female AYA survivors aged 18 to 39 years who had completed their primary cancer treatment and enrolled in an ovarian function study. Self-reported intention dimensions were measured as a pregnancy intention score (PIS) and trying now to become pregnant. Multivariable linear (PA), binary (smoking), and ordinal (alcohol use) logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between intentions and preconception behaviors, with adjustments made for demographic and cancer characteristics. Effect modification by perceived infertility risk was assessed. RESULTS: The mean PIS was 1.1 (SD, 0.77) on a 0 to 2 scale (2 = high intention), and 8.9% were attempting pregnancy now. A higher PIS was associated with increased PA (ß, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.11-1.04), whereas ambivalence in pregnancy intention was associated with lower alcohol consumption (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.95). Pregnancy intentions were not associated with smoking. Perceived infertility risk strengthened the relationship between PIS and PA (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy intentions were associated with some healthier preconception behaviors in AYA survivors. Medical professionals caring for AYA survivors may consider pregnancy intention screening to guide conversations on preconception health.


Subject(s)
Cancer Survivors , Intention , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Preconception Care/methods , Pregnancy , Young Adult
6.
Cancer Nurs ; 45(6): E874-E882, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34661562

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Globally, breast cancer has been identified as the most common cancer among women. The clinical efficacy of adjuvant oral antiestrogen therapy-including tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors-has been proven to be clinically efficacious for breast cancer survivors. However, medication adherence for these therapies remains suboptimal among breast cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a reminder intervention-a smart pill bottle paired with the Pillsy mobile application-on medication adherence, medication self-efficacy, and depression, among breast cancer survivors who were undergoing oral antiestrogen therapy. METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled trial. Sixty-one women were allocated to an experimental group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 30). The experimental group received the reminder intervention of a smart pill bottle for 4 weeks. Study outcomes were identified as medication adherence, medication self-efficacy, and depression. RESULTS: Fifty-seven women completed the follow-up measurement. Significant differences in favor of the experimental group were noted for medication adherence ( P = .004) and medication self-efficacy ( P = .004). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to depression ( P = .057). CONCLUSIONS: Reminder intervention using smart pill bottles was effective in improving medication adherence and medication self-efficacy among breast cancer survivors undergoing oral antiestrogen therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A smart pill bottle method of intervention can be a useful reminder strategy to improve medication adherence among breast cancer survivors.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Cancer Survivors , Female , Humans , Aromatase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Self Efficacy , Depression , Medication Adherence , Tamoxifen/therapeutic use , Estrogen Receptor Modulators/therapeutic use
7.
J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care ; 31(6): 646-653, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32675645

ABSTRACT

This qualitative descriptive study was designed to identify HIV-related questions frequently asked by online counseling users seeking professional advice. Data were collected via a public online question/answer counseling website operated by the Gyeonggi-do branch of the Korean Association for AIDS Prevention. Data on users' questions regarding HIV were collected between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. The online questions were then analyzed and divided into codes and categories. From the 559 questions submitted, content analysis identified four major categories related to HIV: (a) HIV testing, (b) self-perceived HIV risk and risky sexual behaviors, (c) positive and negative emotional states, and (d) treatment and prevention. This study indicates that online counseling can be used to provide tailored information related to HIV along with emotional and psychosocial support to reach different subgroups and to provide current information such as the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for those seeking professional advice.


Subject(s)
Counseling/methods , HIV Infections/psychology , Information Seeking Behavior , Internet , Adult , Counseling/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Qualitative Research , Republic of Korea , Risk Factors , Sexual Behavior
8.
BMJ Open ; 10(7): e035634, 2020 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32611740

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Hospice care (HC) is seen as a comprehensive approach, that enhances quality of end-of-life (EOL) care, for terminally ill patients. Despite its positive aspects, HC enrolment is disproportionate for rural patients, who are less likely to use HC in comparison to their urban counterparts. The purpose of this study was to explore decision-making experiences, related to utilisation of HC programmes from a retrospective perspective, with family caregivers (FCGs) in a rural US-Mexico border region. DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted from May 2017 to January 2018 using semistructured face to face interviews with FCGs. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING: The HC programme was situated at a local home health agency, located in rural Southern California, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight informal FCGs of patients who were actively enrolled in the HC programme agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS: Conversation about HC as an option was initiated by home healthcare staff (39.3%), followed by physicians (32.1%). Emerging themes related to challenges in utilisation of HC and decision-making included: (1) communication barriers; (2) lack of knowledge/misperception about HC; (3) emotional difficulties, including fear of losing their patient, doubt and uncertainty about the decision, denial and (4) patients are not ready for HC. Facilitators included: (1) patient's known EOL wishes; (2) FCG-physician EOL communication; (3) the patient's deteriorating health and (4) home as the place for death. CONCLUSIONS: HC patients' FCGs in this rural region reported a lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of HC. It is recommended that healthcare providers need to actively engage family members in patient's EOL care planning. Optimal transition to an HC programme can be facilitated when FCGs are informed and have a clear understanding about patients' medical status along with information about HC.


Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Decision Making , Emigration and Immigration/statistics & numerical data , Hospices/methods , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , California , Caregivers/statistics & numerical data , Female , Hospices/trends , Humans , Interviews as Topic/methods , Male , Mexico , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Retrospective Studies , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data
9.
J Hosp Palliat Nurs ; 22(4): 283-291, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32568936

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to understand the organizational context of nurses' use of advance care plans (ACPs). We use a modified version of Bandera's social cognitive theory model to understand relationships between organizational constructs such as experience with ACPs and satisfaction with organizational support and oncology nurses' knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions around ACPs. The sample included practicing registered nurses with a major focus in oncology who were members of the Oncology Nursing Society in the United States, and nurses at medical hospital or community care settings were included. Institutional review board approval was obtained, and permission was granted from the oncology nursing organization for online surveys. A validated ACP survey was used to measure nurses' experiences and perceptions of working with ACP. Perceptions of ACP by patients, vicarious experience with ACP, direct experience of ACP, having received training, and perceptions of organizational support for ACP were all predictive of total ACP behaviors in the workplace. The final regression model had 3 independent variables and accounted for 33% of the variance in total ACP behaviors. Both vicarious and direct experience with ACP was associated with ACP behaviors in workplaces. This implies the need for more vicarious and direct training experiences, as well as organization support, to build self-efficacy to perform ACP.


Subject(s)
Advance Care Planning/trends , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Nurses/psychology , Organizational Culture , Perception , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nurses/standards , Nurses/statistics & numerical data , Qualitative Research , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States , Workplace/psychology , Workplace/standards
10.
J Prof Nurs ; 36(2): 77-82, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32204865

ABSTRACT

This paper highlights questions about Canadian nurse regulators' adoption of the U.S.-based NCLEX-RN examination, effective 2015, as the only route to initial registered nurse licensure in all jurisdictions, excluding Quebec. The decision for this change was made by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurses Regulators (CCRNR), an umbrella association of CEO's of provincial regulatory bodies in collaboration with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Adoption and implementation of this new policy was accomplished by the Council of each provincial regulatory body. This change, representing the first international adoption of NCLEX-RN, was deemed successful by CCRNR and NCSBN. However, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) described the decision as unilateral and unwise, questioning the applicability of NCLEX-RN in the Canadian context, citing significant French language translation issues and unacceptable pass rates. Both authors have had extensive academic nursing experience in U.S. and Canada. Both had many conversations with Canadian colleagues who described the impact on nursing education as disastrous. Most of our American colleagues knew nothing about this change, but once informed, expressed some concerns similar to those of their Canadian counterparts. We suggest that international adoption of a US-based examination for initial licensure merits wider discussion by nursing faculty here and abroad.


Subject(s)
Educational Measurement/statistics & numerical data , Faculty, Nursing/psychology , Licensure, Nursing/standards , Nurses/standards , Canada , Communication , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Educational Measurement/standards , Humans , United States
11.
Nurs Leadersh (Tor Ont) ; 32(4): 57-65, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32083531

ABSTRACT

This commentary presents perspectives of two senior nursing professors who have extensive faculty and leadership experience in both Canada and the United States. To understand more about how the adoption of the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) examination in Canada came to be, the authors conducted conversations with 29 Canadian nurse educators and nursing education and practice leaders. Based on these conversations as well as a review of published materials on the topic, the authors conclude that regulatory leaders failed to involve key leaders and stakeholders from nursing education and practice in this decision, and the resulting negative consequences have been borne primarily by the education and practice sectors. The authors argue that the NCLEX-RN adoption has introduced a misalignment into what had been a well-aligned model of education, regulation and practice in Canada and invite readers to consider the following discussion points. First, the NCLEX-RN has been designed to operate within a healthcare system that should not, by any reasonable argument, be replicated elsewhere; therefore, what are the contextual factors that led to the Canadian adoption of the NCLEX-RN? Second, American regulators stipulate that the examination must fit associate degree graduate competencies and that the additional knowledge and competencies gained at the baccalaureate level are irrelevant for licensure purposes; however, is this a fit for Canadian nursing licensure that requires the baccalaureate degree as an entry for practice? In conclusion, as American higher education in nursing now begins to move toward a competency-based model, further changes will have to be implemented to shape and frame the future of nursing education in the United States, and by extension, the future development of the NCLEX-RN within Canada's distinct historical, social, political and institutional context.


Subject(s)
Education, Nursing/standards , Educational Measurement/standards , Faculty, Nursing/psychology , Leadership , Licensure, Nursing/standards , Nursing Process/standards , Education, Nursing/trends , Educational Measurement/methods , Educational Measurement/statistics & numerical data , Faculty, Nursing/trends , Humans , Licensure, Nursing/trends , Nursing Process/trends
12.
Front Oncol ; 8: 443, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30374422

ABSTRACT

Background: The American Society of Clinical Oncology's recommendation for "dedicated palliative care services, early in the disease course, concurrent with active treatment" for cancer patients is a challenge for cancer centers to accommodate. Despite demonstrated benefits of concurrent care, disparities among socioeconomic and ethnic groups in access to supportive care services have been described. The aim of this project was to evaluate: (a) how insurance coverage and ethnicity impact patient symptom burden and, (b) how those factors influence palliative access for patients at a South Texas NCI-designated cancer center. Methods: During a 5-month prospective period, 604 patients from five ambulatory oncology clinics completed the 10 question Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) surveys during their clinic visit. Patient demographics, ESAS scores, palliative referral decisions, and time to palliative encounters were collected. We compared symptom burden and time to consult based on ethnicity and insurance status (insured = Group A; under-insured and safety net = Group B). Results: The mean ESAS score for all patients at the initial visit was 19.9 (SD = 18.1). Safety net patients were significantly more likely to be Hispanic, younger in age, and have an underlying GI malignancy in comparison to insured patients; however, the symptom severity was similar between groups with over 40% of individuals reporting at least one severe symptom. Twenty-one referrals were made to palliative care. On average, Group B had 33.3 days longer wait times until their first potential visit (p < 0.01) when compared to Group A. Time to actual visit was on average 57.6 days longer for patients in Group B compared to patients in Group A (p = 0.01), averaging at 73.8 days for safety net patients. Conclusions: This project highlights the high symptom burden of oncology patients and disparities in access to services based on insurance coverage. This investigation revealed a 4-fold increase in the time to the first scheduled palliative care visit based on whether patients were insured vs. under-insured. While this study is limited by a small sample size, data suggest that under-insured oncology patients may have significant barriers to palliative care services, which may influence their cancer care quality.

13.
Asia Pac J Clin Oncol ; 14 Suppl 1: 10-15, 2018 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29508938

ABSTRACT

AIM: The expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) is a widely adopted instrument for the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer. We aimed to create a Chinese version of EPIC to further research in the Chinese-speaking population. METHODS: A prototype was created by forward-backward translations and revisions. During cultural adaptation, 15 participants were interviewed after they had completed the prototype. A few issues highlighted included confusion related to the question format, subject non-familiarity with the Chinese term for "hot flashes," and the use of the Chinese term for "breast" as a strictly female body part. A pilot version was created based on the cultural adaptation findings. Validation of the pilot version was performed by having 50 participants complete the Chinese EPIC and EORTC QLQ-c30 twice within a 4-week period. Test-retest reliability (Pearson's correlations and difference distribution) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α) were measured using SAS version 9.4. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability values for the urinary, bowel, sexual and hormone domains were 0.71, 0.51, 0.51 and 0.66, respectively; subscale test-retest reliability ranged between 0.29 and 0.82. Internal consistency for domains was good with Cronbach's α ranging from 0.76 to 0.78 for the initial test and 0.67 to 0.85 for the retest. The performance of this version of EPIC was comparable to the validated EORTC QLQ-C30. CONCLUSION: The EPIC questionnaire was successfully translated into Chinese and was culturally adapted. The resultant Chinese version has high reliability and validity and will be an important tool for research on quality of life in the Chinese population.


Subject(s)
Prostatic Neoplasms/classification , Psychometrics/methods , Quality of Life/psychology , Aged , Asian People , Culture , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and Questionnaires , Translations
14.
Aging Clin Exp Res ; 30(9): 1101-1110, 2018 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29372541

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multicomponent intervention programs have been shown to be effective in reducing risk factors associated with falls, but the primary target population of these interventions is often low-functioning older adults. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention program focusing on balance and muscle strength for independently functioning community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Fifty-three independently functioning older adults, aged 80.09 ± 6.62 years, participated in a group exercise class (conducted 2 times/week for 8 weeks) emphasizing balance. Outcome measures were balance performance using the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale and muscle strength using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). RESULTS: The intervention improved balance (P < 0.001), and older adults who were classified as having high fall risks based on the FAB scores at pre-testing improved more than older adults who were classified as having low fall risks (P = 0.017). As a result, 22 participants transitioned from a high fall risk group at pre-testing to a low fall risk group at post-testing (P < 0.001). The intervention also enhanced both upper and lower muscle extremity strength based on SFT results (P < 0.001) regardless of participants' classification of fall risk status. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION: The multicomponent intervention conducted two times per week for 8 weeks was effective in improving balance and enhancing muscle strength of independently functioning older adults. The results underscore the importance of providing fall prevention interventions to healthy older adults, a population often not a target of balance interventions.


Subject(s)
Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Exercise/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Postural Balance/physiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Independent Living , Lower Extremity , Male , Risk Factors
15.
Can Oncol Nurs J ; 28(3): 191-200, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31148804

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving radiation to the breast can suffer painful, moist desquamation of the axilla and inframammary fold. Intensity of skin reactions will vary with each individual and be dependent on the total dose of radiation, treatment volume, daily fraction size, energy and type of radiation, as well as other personal factors (Gosselin, 2010). Treatment-related skin reactions make it difficult for women to wear clothing and undergarments comfortably and to perform daily activities. InterDry AG is a textile dressing with an antimicrobial complex that wicks away excess moisture and reduces friction, itching, and burning. Despite showing highly beneficial properties, there is no current published evidence indicating the utility of InterDry Ag for radiation skin reactions. PURPOSE: This project evaluated the potential utility of InterDry Ag dressing to relieve discomfort of skin reactions for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. METHODS: A descriptive design was employed to better understand the effectiveness of InterDry Ag dressing in reducing side effects of radiation treatment of the breast for women. Twenty eligible participants consented to participate. A radiation oncology nurse evaluated its effect every five days, utilizing a skin assessment questionnaire developed by the nursing team from clinical observations. RESULTS: A personalized skin care regimen was developed with each patient's feedback. A trusting relationship was developed between the nurse and patient by building rapport that indicated nursing care support. Some women began sharing their emotional stressors with nurses, as well as the physical pain they were experiencing due to the skin reactions. This observation resulted in provision of additional resources for women and engaging them in self-care using a patient-centred approach.

16.
Can Oncol Nurs J ; 28(4): 250-255, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31148810

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients receiving navigation supportive care from a Breast Cancer Care Coordinator (BCCC), prior to initial oncology consultation at a British Columbia Cancer Agency, Abbotsford Centre (BCCA-AC), demonstrated different levels of anxiety and depression from those not receiving such support at the same BCCA centre. A retrospective review of the Psychological Screen for Cancer (PSSCAN) scores of new breast cancer patients seen for oncology consultation for the control cohort (receiving usual care) were compared to PSSCAN scores of those who had received care from a BCCC prior to the oncology consultation (the study cohort). A total of 91 PSSCANs were reviewed in the study, with 54 belonging to the treatment group and 37 to the control group. PSSCAN scores for anxiety and depression did not show significant differences between the two groups.

19.
Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs ; 3(1): 86-92, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27981143

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this project was to develop a list of forenames and surnames of South Asian (SA) women that could be used to identify SA breast cancer patients within the cancer registry. This list was compiled, evaluated, and validated to ensure comprehensiveness, accuracy, and applicability of SA names. METHODS: This project was conducted by Canadian researchers who are immersed in conducting behavioral studies with SA women diagnosed with cancer in the province of British Columbia. Recruiting SA cancer patients for research can be a difficult task due to social and cultural factors. Methods used by other researchers to identify ethnicity related unique names were employed to filter surnames and forenames that were not common to this ethnic group. Co-author (Gurpreet Oshan) of SA ethnicity rigorously identified and deleted multiple lists and redundant entries along with common English forenames which resulted in a list of 16,888 SA forenames. All co-authors of Indian ethnicity (Gurpreet Oshan, Savitri Singh-Carlson, Harajit Lail) were involved in critiquing and manually reviewing the names list throughout this process. Comprehensive lists of SA surnames and women's forenames were reviewed to identify those that were unique to SA ethnicity. Accuracy was ensured by constantly filtering the redundancy by using an Excel program which helped to illustrate the number of times each name was spelled in different ways. RESULTS: The final lists included 9112 surnames and 16,888 forenames of SA ethnicity. On the basis of the surname linkage only, the sensitivity of the list was 76.6%, specificity was 62.9%, and the positive predictive value was 58.5%. On the basis of both the surname and forename linkage, the specificity of the list was 88.6%. These lists include variations in spelling forenames and surnames as well. CONCLUSIONS: The list of surnames and forenames can be useful tools to identify SA ethnic groups from large population database in healthcare-related research. Ethnicity-specific population research is important in order to help identify how cancer care should be delivered for the SA population, as well as for planning and provision of other related health services. We are willing to share this list upon request to the authors.

20.
Oncol Nurs Forum ; 43(4): E161-9, 2016 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27314199

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine the experiences of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among oncology nurses in the United States and Canada. 
. DESIGN: Quantitative, descriptive, nonexperimental.
. SETTING: Online survey with members from the Canadian Association of Nursing Oncology and the Oncology Nursing Society.
. SAMPLE: 486 American and 63 Canadian practicing oncology nurses.
. METHODS: The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, version 5, and modified Abendroth Demographic Questionnaire were administered through FluidSurveys™, an online data collection instrument. Chi-square tests of independence were used to investigate associations between demographic characteristics, health, personal stressors, and work-related characteristics to experiences of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Compassion fatigue was measured using the subscales of secondary traumatic stress and burnout. 
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction.
. FINDINGS: Demographic characteristics were similar in American and Canadian participants, and both cohorts reported comparable levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Perception of team cohesiveness within the workplace environment was found to be significant for both groups, as indicated by significant relationships in all three subscales of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in the ProQOL.
. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy and supportive work environments are imperative to nurses' health, well-being, and satisfaction. Improvements in the workplace can help prevent negative sequelae, as well as improve health outcomes for patients and nurses, decrease nurse turnover, and reduce healthcare expenditures. 
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Findings can be used to implement institutional changes, such as creating policies and guidelines for the development of preventive interventions and psychosocial support for nurses.


Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional/psychology , Compassion Fatigue , Job Satisfaction , Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology , Oncology Nursing , Quality of Life/psychology , Adult , Canada , Cohort Studies , Empathy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
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