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2.
Int J Nurs Sci ; 9(4): 411-421, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36285080

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To share a concept analysis of social movement aimed at advancing its application to evidence uptake and sustainability in health-care. Methods: We applied Walker and Avant method to clarify the concept of social movement in the context of knowledge uptake and sustainability. Peer-reviewed and grey literature databases were systematically searched for relevant reports that described how social movement action led to evidence-based practice changes in health and community settings. Titles, abstracts and full texts were reviewed independently and in duplicate, resulting in 38 included articles. Results: Social movement action for knowledge uptake and sustainability can be defined as individuals, groups, or organizations that, as voluntary and intrinsically motivated change agents, mobilize around a common cause to improve outcomes through knowledge uptake and sustainability. The 10 defining attributes, three antecedents and three consequences that we identified are dynamic and interrelated, often mutually reinforcing each other to fortify various aspects of the social movement. Examples of defining attributes include an urgent need for action, collective action and collective identity. The concept analysis resulted in the development of the Social Movement Action Framework. Conclusions: Social movement action can provide a lens through which we view implementation science. Collective action and collective identity - concepts less frequently canvassed in implementation science literature - can lend insight into grassroots approaches to uptake and sustainability. Findings can also inform providers and change leaders on the practicalities of harnessing social movement action for real-world change initiatives. By mobilizing individuals, groups, or organizations through social movement approaches, they can engage as powered change agents and teams that impact the individual, organizational and health systems levels to facilitate knowledge uptake and sustainability.

3.
Health Promot Pract ; 19(5): 645-653, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29216440

ABSTRACT

This article describes how one Ontario Public Health Unit implemented a best practice guideline throughout the organization and across disciplines to achieve best practice outcomes in the delivery of client-centered care. Integration of evidence-informed practice presents challenges for both implementation and sustainability. Applying a best practice guideline in the public health setting can add to the challenge. To address this, a variety of interventions were applied: building an interdisciplinary team, adapting a Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario Best Practice Guideline to reflect public health practice for nursing and other disciplines, developing a working definition of "client," engaging staff in knowledge translation, developing policy to support practice change, and incorporating client-centered care principles into daily practice. Outcomes indicate that nursing best practice guidelines, specific to client-centered care, can be successfully adapted and applied in public health practice. Considerations include the varied definitions of a "client," the various roles of public health professionals, and engagement of both internal and external clients. Moreover, interdisciplinary staff can apply the principles of client-centered care when working with clients and when engaging in education-, practice-, and policy-level initiatives to support evidence-informed practice.


Subject(s)
Nursing/standards , Public Health Administration/standards , Evidence-Based Practice , Guidelines as Topic , Humans , Ontario
4.
J Oncol Pract ; 10(3): e175-81, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24643573

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Patient comorbidities may affect the applicability of performance measures that are inherent in multidisciplinary cancer treatment guidelines. This article describes the distribution of common comorbid conditions by disease site and by patient and facility characteristics in patients who received radiation therapy as part of treatment for cancer of the breast, cervix, lung, prostate, and stomach, and investigates the association of comorbidities with treatment decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stratified two-stage cluster sampling provided a random sample of radiation oncology facilities. Eligible patients were randomly sampled from each participating facility for each disease site, and data were abstracted from medical records. The Adult Comorbidity Evaluation Index (ACE-27) was used to measure comorbid conditions and their severity. National estimates were calculated using SUDAAN statistical software. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression models predicted the dependent variable "treatment changed or contraindicated due to comorbidities." The final model showed that ACE-27 was highly associated with change in treatment for patients with severe or moderate index values compared to those with none or mild (P < .001). Two other covariates, age and medical coverage, had no (age) or little (medical coverage) significant contribution to predicting treatment change in the multivariable model. Disease site was associated with treatment change after adjusting for other covariates in the model. CONCLUSIONS: ACE-27 is highly predictive of treatment modifications for patients treated for these cancers who receive radiation as part of their care. A standardized tool identifying patients who should be excluded from clinical performance measures allows more accurate use of these measures.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms/diagnosis , Aged , Comorbidity , Decision Support Techniques , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiation Oncology , Treatment Outcome
5.
Health Promot Pract ; 14(1): 139-45, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23099658

ABSTRACT

This large urban health unit identified a need for explicit, strategic, long-term organizational priority toward practical application of evidence in health promotion practice. Becoming a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO®) candidate provided an opportunity to systematically implement this commitment. The primary goals were to support incorporation of evidence-informed practice throughout the organization, increase interprofessional collaboration, and provide opportunities for knowledge exchange for staff. A mixed-methods evaluation consisting of three phases, including an analysis of previous evaluations, a survey of Champions, and an online focus group with the Steering Committee, demonstrated very positive outcomes. Staff reported increased incorporation of evidence in practice and program delivery. Collaboration and consultation amongst interdisciplinary staff across program areas also increased and staff responded very positively to increased opportunities for knowledge exchange. BPSO® candidacy opportunities should be used by health organizations to increase evidence-informed practice and inspire excellence in health promotion practice.


Subject(s)
Evidence-Based Medicine/standards , Health Promotion/standards , Evidence-Based Medicine/methods , Evidence-Based Medicine/organization & administration , Health Promotion/methods , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Humans , Organizational Objectives , Program Development/methods , Program Development/standards , Program Evaluation
6.
Health Serv Res ; 47(3 Pt 1): 1091-116, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22171977

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Physician co-management, representing joint participation in the planning, decision-making, and delivery of care, is often cited in association with coordination of care. Yet little is known about how physicians manage tasks and how their management style impacts patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To describe physician practice style using breast cancer as a model. We characterize correlates and predictors of physician practice style for 10 clinical tasks, and then test for associations between physician practice style and patient ratings of care. METHODS: We queried 347 breast cancer physicians identified by a population-based cohort of women with incident breast cancer regarding care using a clinical vignette about a hypothetical 65-year-old diabetic woman with incident breast cancer. To test the association between physician practice style and patient outcomes, we linked medical oncologists' responses to patient ratings of care (physician n=111; patient n=411). RESULTS: After adjusting for physician and practice setting characteristics, physician practice style varied by physician specialty, practice setting, financial incentives, and barriers to referrals. Patients with medical oncologists who co-managed tasks had higher patient ratings of care. CONCLUSION: Physician practice style for breast cancer is influenced by provider and practice setting characteristics, and it is an important predictor of patient ratings. We identify physician and practice setting factors associated with physician practice style and found associations between physician co-management and patient outcomes (e.g., patient ratings of care).


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Interprofessional Relations , Patient Care Management/organization & administration , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Quality of Health Care , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Continuity of Patient Care , Female , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Los Angeles , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Patient Satisfaction , Preferred Provider Organizations
7.
Health Serv Res ; 45(1): 172-94, 2010 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19878346

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about how cancer physicians communicate with limited English proficient (LEP) patients. We studied physician-reported use and availability of interpreters. DATA SOURCES: A 2004 survey was fielded among physicians identified by a population-based sample of breast cancer patients. Three hundred and forty-eight physicians completed mailed surveys (response rate: 77 percent) regarding the structure and organization of care. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: We used logistic regression to analyze use and availability of interpreters. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Most physicians reported treating LEP patients. Among physicians using interpreters within the last 12 months, 42 percent reported using trained medical interpreters, 21 percent telephone interpreter services, and 75 percent reported using untrained interpreters to communicate with LEP patients. Only one-third of physicians reported good availability of trained medical interpreters or telephone interpreter services when needed. Compared with HMO physicians, physicians in solo practice and single-specialty medical groups were less likely to report using trained medical interpreters or telephone interpreter services, and they were less likely to report good availability of these services. CONCLUSIONS: There were important practice setting differences predicting use and availability of trained medical interpreters and telephone interpretation services. These findings may have troubling implications for effective physician-patient communication critically needed during cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Communication Barriers , Physician-Patient Relations , Translating , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Care Surveys , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Logistic Models , Los Angeles , Male , Middle Aged
8.
Clin Cancer Res ; 15(17): 5534-40, 2009 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19706826

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Biomarkers of radiation-induced behavioral symptoms, such as fatigue, have not been identified. Studies linking inflammatory processes to fatigue in cancer survivors led us to test the hypothesis that activation of the proinflammatory cytokine network is associated with fatigue symptoms during radiation therapy for breast and prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Individuals with early-stage breast (n = 28) and prostate cancer (n = 20) completed questionnaires and provided blood samples for determination of serum levels of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 at assessments conducted before, during, and after a course of radiation therapy. Serum markers of proinflammatory cytokine activity, including IL-1 receptor antagonist and C-reactive protein, were examined in a subset of participants. Random coefficient models were used to evaluate the association between changes in cytokine levels and fatigue. RESULTS: As expected, there was a significant increase in fatigue during radiation treatment. Changes in serum levels of inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and IL-1 receptor antagonist were positively associated with increases in fatigue symptoms (Ps < 0.05), although serum levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were not associated with fatigue. These effects remained significant (Ps < 0.05) in analyses controlling for potential biobehavioral confounding factors, including age, body mass index, hormone therapy, depression, and sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that activation of the proinflammatory cytokine network and associated increases in downstream biomarkers of proinflammatory cytokine activity are associated with fatigue during radiation therapy for breast and prostate cancer.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Fatigue/blood , Inflammation/blood , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Adult , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Fatigue/etiology , Female , Humans , Inflammation/etiology , Interleukin-1beta/blood , Interleukin-6/blood , Male , Middle Aged
9.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys ; 74(5): 1376-84, 2009 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19409730

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of patient age, comorbidity, and physician factors on treatment recommendations for locally advanced, unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: We surveyed radiation oncologists regarding their recommendations for treatment (chemoradiation, radiation alone, chemotherapy alone, or no therapy) for hypothetical patients with Stage IIIB NSCLC who varied by age (55 vs. 80 years) and comorbid illness (none, moderate, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the impact of physician and practice characteristics on radiation oncologists' treatment recommendations for three scenarios with the least agreement. RESULTS: Of 214 radiation oncologists, nearly all (99%) recommended chemoradiation for a healthy 55 year old. However, there was substantial variability in recommendations for a 55 year old with severe COPD, an 80-year-old with moderate COPD, and an 80-year-old with severe COPD. Physicians seeing a lower volume of lung cancer patients were statistically less likely to recommend radiotherapy for younger or older patients with severe COPD (both p < 0.05), but the impact was modest. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all radiation oncologists report following the evidence-based recommendation of chemoradiation for young, otherwise healthy patients with locally advanced, unresectable NSCLC, but there is substantial variability in treatment recommendations for older or sicker patients, probably related to the lack of clinical trial data for such patients. The physician and practice characteristics we examined only weakly affected treatment recommendations. Additional clinical trial data are necessary to guide recommendations for treatment of elderly patients and patients with poor pulmonary function to optimize their management.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/radiotherapy , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Radiation Oncology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Combined Modality Therapy , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Professional Practice , Radiation Oncology/standards , Smoking/adverse effects , Young Adult
10.
Breast J ; 15(1): 17-25, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19120382

ABSTRACT

The structure of health care has been rapidly evolving in response to financial pressures and demands to improve quality. Little work has documented the structure of care and its impact in the context of breast cancer care. We conducted a survey to characterize Los Angeles physicians caring for breast cancer patients and the structural landscape of the healthcare system in which they practice. Cross-sectional survey of physicians who treated a population-based cohort of breast cancer patients. We surveyed 477 physicians, targeting all Los Angeles County medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and surgeons reported by patients participating in the Los Angeles Women's Health Study (77% response rate). Specialty-specific questionnaires were developed. Items were based on the structure and quality of care literature, cognitive interviews with cancer care specialists, and existing physician survey instruments. Breast cancer care providers in Los Angeles are diverse, with one-third non-white and 46% speaking a non-English language. Group practice is most common, (37% single specialty, 16% group-model HMO, 8% multi-specialty group). Minimal teaching involvement predominates. Mean new breast cancer patient volumes are relatively high (8 per month overall; six for surgeons), representing 46% of new cancer patients. Physicians reported high career satisfaction levels (83-92%). Physicians were least satisfied with the amount of time spent with patients (82%). Data from this study represent important building blocks for further analyses to determine the impact of structural characteristics on the quality of care that breast cancer patient's experience.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Quality of Health Care , Cross-Sectional Studies , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Los Angeles , Male , Middle Aged , Women's Health
11.
J Gen Intern Med ; 24(1): 99-104, 2009 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19023629

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For women with early stage breast cancer, physician-patient discussion of breast reconstruction is an essential step in their participation in the decision-making process for their treatments. This study examines sociodemographic variation of physician-patient discussion of breast reconstruction and explores the impact of this discussion on the use of breast reconstruction. METHODS: We used data from the Los Angeles Women's Study, a population-based study of women 50 years and older with breast cancer. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the impact of patient and hospital characteristics on self-reported receipt of physician-patient discussion and use of breast reconstruction. RESULTS: Of 315 post-mastectomy women, 81% and 27% reported physician-patient discussion and use of breast reconstruction, respectively. In multivariable analysis, women with an annual income <$20,000 were less likely to have physician-patient discussion than women with annual income > or =$40,000 (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.82). Among the subset of women with physician-patient discussion, chest wall radiation, a known characteristic associated with higher rates of reconstruction complications, became an additional significant negative predictor of reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Lower income women are at risk of not receiving physician-patient discussion of breast reconstruction. Physician-patient discussion of breast reconstruction appears to decrease the use of breast reconstruction among women with clinical characteristics associated with higher rates of reconstruction complications and failure. This highlights the need for interventions to increase physician-patient discussion of breast reconstruction among lower income women.


Subject(s)
Communication , Mammaplasty/psychology , Patient Participation/psychology , Physician-Patient Relations , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/economics , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Cohort Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Mammaplasty/economics , Mammaplasty/trends , Mastectomy/economics , Mastectomy/psychology , Mastectomy/trends , Middle Aged , Patient Participation/economics , Patient Participation/trends , Patient Satisfaction/economics , Socioeconomic Factors
12.
Clin Breast Cancer ; 8(6): 533-7, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19073510

ABSTRACT

Post-breast cancer treatment-related angiosarcomas were first observed in lymphedematous extremities after mastectomy and are now being reported with increasing frequency after lumpectomy and radiation. A case history is presented of a BRCA2 carrier who had a postmastectomy chest wall angiosarcoma but had neither therapeutic radiation nor clinically evident lymphedema. The absence of established risk factors led to speculation that the BRCA2 germline mutation could be a causative factor in the development of this patient's angiosarcoma. A literature review supported this concept.


Subject(s)
BRCA2 Protein/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/surgery , Germ-Line Mutation , Hemangiosarcoma/genetics , Neoplasms, Second Primary/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/genetics , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Mastectomy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
13.
Med Care ; 46(11): 1157-62, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18953226

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: When 2 treatment choices (ie, mastectomy vs. breast conserving therapy) show no difference in a primary clinical outcome (ie, survival), patient satisfaction becomes an important marker of the quality of care received. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of physician-patient discussion of primary surgical treatment outcomes on patients' satisfaction with medical care (MC) among women with incident breast cancer (BC). METHOD: We used self-report data of a population-based survey of 495 women >or=50 years of age with stage I-II BC in Los Angeles, California in 2000 conducted a mean of 7.5 and 24 months after diagnosis. Using multivariable analyses, we evaluated the impact of physician-patient outcome discussions (ie, BC recurrence, BC survival, breast appearance, and arm swelling/pain/movement difficulty) on patient satisfaction at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Most women were satisfied with their MC (>65%). More than half reported physician-patient discussions of BC recurrence (54%), breast appearance (50%), and arm pain/swelling/movement difficulty (55%). Thirty-one percent discussed BC survival. Women who discussed arm swelling, pain, movement difficulty were significantly more likely to be satisfied at baseline (odds ratio: 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-3.0, P < 0.05) and follow-up (odds ratio: 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.0, P > 0.01). The more treatment outcomes patients discussed with their physicians, the higher patient satisfaction ratings were at baseline and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-patient discussions of BC treatment outcomes were highly correlated with patients' satisfaction with overall MC regardless of the procedure received. This suggests that the quality of BC care should include assessments of physician-patient communication.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Patient Satisfaction , Physician-Patient Relations , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Treatment Outcome
14.
Breast Cancer Res Treat ; 108(1): 69-77, 2008 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17638071

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: With improved patient survival from breast cancer, more interest has evolved regarding the symptoms women experience in association with breast cancer treatments. We studied the extent to which symptoms for women with incident breast cancer are addressed by their physicians and how symptom management varies with patient characteristics. METHODS: As part of the Los Angeles Women's (LAW) Study, we categorized women from a population-based study of incident breast cancer (n = 1,219) as having an unmet need if she had at least one severe symptom (any of the following: nausea/vomiting, arm problems, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping) for which she did not receive the help she wanted. Multivariable analyses predicted having any unmet need as a function of patient demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of unmet need varied by the type of symptom with the highest proportion of women receiving help for nausea and vomiting (0.91) and the lowest for vaginal dryness (0.48). Black women (OR = 3.61, 95% CI: [1.57, 8.31]), and Spanish-speaking Hispanic women (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: [1.22, 5.94]) were significantly more likely than white women to report an unmet need. More black and Hispanic women compared to white women cited the doctor not thinking treatment would benefit her (P = 0.02), not appreciating how much the problem bothered her (P = 0.03), not knowing about treatments (P < 0.0001), or insurance/cost barriers (P = 0.009) as reasons for her unmet need. CONCLUSION: These results show the persistence of racial disparities in the receipt of appropriate care within the health care system.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/ethnology , Health Services Needs and Demand , Physician-Patient Relations , Black or African American , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/complications , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Middle Aged , Nausea/etiology , Physicians , Sleep Wake Disorders/etiology , Vomiting/etiology , White People
15.
Breast Cancer Res Treat ; 108(2): 153-65, 2008 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17492377

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study examines the burden of symptoms by treatment type and patient characteristics in a population-based sample of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. METHODS: Using the Los Angeles County SEER Registry Rapid Case Ascertainment, we identified a cohort of breast cancer patients in 2000 and conducted telephone surveys in English and Spanish among participants. RESULTS: We completed interviews of 1,219 breast cancer patients and found almost half (46%) had at least one severe symptom (any of the following: nausea/vomiting, arm problems, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping) that interfered with her daily functioning or mood. Multi-variate analysis controlling for patient characteristics and treatment showed that older (OR=0.90; P<0.000), black (OR=0.50; P<0.000), Hispanic Spanish-speaking (OR=0.37; P<0.000), widowed or never married (OR=0.68; P=0.049), and working (OR=0.72; P=0.024) women were less likely to report severe symptoms than other women. Number of comorbid conditions (OR=1.21; P<0.000) and receipt of chemotherapy (OR=1.48; P=0.040) were positively associated with reporting symptoms. CONCLUSION: These findings estimate the prevalence of several mutable symptoms in breast cancer patients that can be addressed by appropriate treatments. Comorbidity is a significant predictor of symptoms, especially amongst those receiving chemotherapy. Variation in symptom reporting occurred by race/ethnicity and other sociodemographic characteristics, raising questions of different thresholds for reporting symptoms or truly fewer symptoms for some sociodemographic groups. Population-based estimates of the probability of symptoms in women with incident breast cancer can be used to provide patient education about potential outcomes following the treatment of breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Affect , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Mastectomy/adverse effects , Quality of Life , Black or African American , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/ethnology , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects , Cohort Studies , Comorbidity , Cost of Illness , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Los Angeles/epidemiology , Marital Status , Middle Aged , Odds Ratio , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Postoperative Complications/psychology , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects , Research Design , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , SEER Program , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment Outcome , Women, Working
16.
Cancer J ; 13(2): 130-7, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17476142

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Despite growth of palliative care programs and evidence on the effectiveness of radiotherapy in palliating cancer symptoms, radiotherapy is probably underused in this setting. Radiation and medical oncologists and palliative medicine specialists were surveyed regarding the perceived role of palliative radiotherapy and barriers to its use. METHODS: The survey was sent electronically to all physician members of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and a random sample of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) members, with known e-mail addresses. RESULTS: Response rates were 27%, 14% and 26% for ASTRO, ASCO, and AAHPM respondents, respectively. Although most felt radiotherapy is an effective and important option for palliation of some common cancer symptoms, referrals for such therapy may be declining. Most agreed that radiation oncologists should be more involved in palliative care; however, multiple barriers were identified, such as poor reimbursement, emotional burden of care, insufficient training/knowledge, and the sense of unwillingness of others to share delivery of such services. CONCLUSIONS: Although multiple barriers limit optimal integration, most agree that there should be greater national and professional society efforts to promote the advancement of radiation oncology in the area of palliative care.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Palliative Care/methods , Physicians , Clinical Competence , Cost of Illness , Humans , Needs Assessment , Pain Measurement , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Referral and Consultation , Reimbursement Mechanisms , Societies, Medical , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
17.
Breast J ; 12(2): 138-44, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16509838

ABSTRACT

We, as a large community practice, retrospectively reviewed our experience in treating early stage breast cancer to determine rates of breast-conserving therapy (BCT), disease outcomes after such treatment, and risk factors for local recurrence. A hospital tumor registry was used to identify breast cancer cases diagnosed between 1987 and 2003. Rates of BCT and radiotherapy were examined using primary treatment data. For subsequent disease outcomes analyses, cases were limited to only those treated between 1987 and 1994 to allow for adequate follow-up. For the subset of 521 T1-2N0 patients treated with BCT, we calculated crude rates of first failure at 8 years, with outcomes classified as local failure (LF), distant or regional node failure (DNF), dead without failure (DWF), or alive without failure (AWF). Polychotomous logistic regression was done to assess the influence of age at diagnosis, tumor grade, total radiation dose to the tumor bed, and use of systemic therapy. From 1987 to 2003, rates of BCT went from 69% to 89% and the rate of radiation after breast-conserving surgery was 90%. For the subset of 521 T1-2N0 patients treated with BCT who had at least 8 years of follow-up, median age was 58 years, 15% had grade 1 tumors, 83% had T1 tumors, 4.6% had positive margins, 83% got a total radiation dose >or=60 Gy to the tumor bed, and 51% had systemic therapy. At 8 years, 7% of patients had LF, 8% DNF, 10% were DWF, and 75% were AWF. Patient age (p = 0.076), tumor grade (p = 0.056), use of systemic therapy (p = 0.077), and radiation dose (p = 0.127) had borderline significant effects on the risk of LF versus AWF. The majority of patients in this community were treated with BCT and most received radiotherapy. Local control was excellent and comparable to that seen in large academic centers.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Mastectomy, Segmental , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Adult , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Middle Aged , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Registries/statistics & numerical data , Retrospective Studies , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome
18.
J Clin Oncol ; 23(30): 7621-31, 2005 Oct 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16234523

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate response rate, event-free survival (EFS), and toxicity of two chemotherapeutic regimens for treatment of children younger than 36 months with malignant brain tumors and to estimate control intervals without irradiation in children with no residual tumor after initial surgery and induction chemotherapy and with delayed irradiation in patients with residual tumor or metastatic disease at diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of two regimens of induction chemotherapy (vincristine, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide v vincristine, carboplatin, ifosfamide, and etoposide). Maintenance chemotherapy began after induction in children without progressive disease. Children with no residual tumors after induction therapy and no metastatic disease at diagnosis were not to receive radiation therapy unless their tumors progressed. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-nine infants were enrolled. Forty-two percent of patients responded to induction chemotherapy. At 5 years from study entry, the EFS rate was 27% +/- 3%, and the survival rate was 43% +/- 3%. There was no significant difference between the two arms in terms of response rate or EFS. For medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, ependymoma, and rhabdoid tumors, 5-year EFS rates were 32% +/- 5%, 17% +/- 6%, and 32% +/- 6%, and 14% +/- 7%, respectively. Fifty-eight percent of patients who were alive 5 years after study entry had not received radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: Intensified induction chemotherapy resulted in a high response rate of malignant brain tumors in infants. Survival was comparable to that of previous studies, and most patients who survived did not receive radiation therapy.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Brain Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Brain Neoplasms/surgery , Child, Preschool , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Combined Modality Therapy , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Ependymoma/drug therapy , Ependymoma/radiotherapy , Ependymoma/surgery , Etoposide/administration & dosage , Female , Glioma/drug therapy , Glioma/radiotherapy , Glioma/surgery , Humans , Ifosfamide/administration & dosage , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Medulloblastoma/drug therapy , Medulloblastoma/radiotherapy , Medulloblastoma/surgery , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/radiotherapy , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/drug therapy , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/radiotherapy , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral/surgery , Survival Rate , Treatment Outcome , Vincristine/administration & dosage
20.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys ; 62(1): 3-19, 2005 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15850897

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review of the evidence to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for localized prostate cancer; provide a clear presentation of the key clinical outcome questions related to the use of 3D-CRT in the treatment of localized prostate cancer that may be answered by a formal literature review; and provide concise information on whether 3D-CRT improves the clinical outcomes in the treatment of localized prostate cancer compared with conventional RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We performed a systematic review of the literature through a structured process developed by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's Outcomes Committee that involved the creation of a multidisciplinary task force, development of clinical outcome questions, a formal literature review and data abstraction, data review, and outside peer review. RESULTS: Seven key clinical questions were identified. The results and task force conclusions of the literature review for each question are reported. CONCLUSION: The technological goals of reducing morbidity with 3D-CRT have been achieved. Randomized trials and follow-up of completed trials remain necessary to address these clinical outcomes specifically with regard to patient subsets and the use of hormonal therapy.


Subject(s)
Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy, Conformal/methods , Disease-Free Survival , Evidence-Based Medicine , Humans , Male , Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Radiation Injuries/prevention & control , Radiation Oncology , Treatment Outcome
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