Unveiling perspectives on the psychosocial impacts of childhood cancer survival on young adult survivors' reassimilation journey: A qualitative exploration.

Background: Approximately 82% of children with childhood cancer survive more than five years after diagnosis. Living as a cancer survivor elicits a new reality that can include psychosocial impacts. These psychosocial impacts interact collectively, especially regarding reassimilation, and are rarely explored. Objective: To explore the psychosocial impacts of surviving childhood cancer and reassimilation back into society in young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methodology: Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with childhood cancer survivors and explored psychosocial aspects associated with returning to work, school, and social environments after remission. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was conducted once interviews were manually transcribed. A group interview with survivors was held to discuss the study's findings and interpretation. Results: Individual interviews and the group interview revealed three major themes: outlook on reassimilating, outlook on coping, and outlook on cancer. Conclusions: This work is a first step to understanding how survivors' personal outlook on coping and healthcare system barriers play influential roles in reassimilation following cancer treatment. Survivors expressed the need for reliable survivorship information and improved communication with healthcare providers regarding what to expect, so they could feel prepared for life post-cancer. These aspects need to be explored more deeply through other qualitative studies.

Impact of COVID-19 on older adults with cancer and their caregivers' cancer treatment experiences study: The ICE-OLD study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and health services impacts related to physical distancing posed many challenges for older adults with cancer. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on cancer treatment plans and cancer treatment experiences of older adults (ie, aged 65 years and older) and their caregiver' experiences of caring for older adults during the pandemic to highlight gaps in care experienced. In this multi-centre qualitative study guided by an interpretive descriptive research approach we interviewed older adults diagnosed with cancer and caregivers caring for them. Participants were recruited via cancer treatment centres in the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario (Vancouver and Toronto), Canada, and through an online ad sent out through patient advocacy organization newsletters. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic analysis approach. A total of 27 individuals (17 older adults, 52.9% female; 10 caregivers, 90% female) participated in interviews lasting on average 45 minutes. Older adults with cancer described many impacts and pressures created by the pandemic on their cancer experiences, though they generally felt that the pandemic did not impact treatment decisions made and access to care. We grouped our findings into two main themes with their accompanying sub-themes, related to: (1) alterations in the individual and dyadic cancer experience; and (2) navigating health and cancer systems during the pandemic. The additional stressors the pandemic placed on older adults during their treatment and decision-making process and their caregivers expose the need to create or avail additional supports for future disruptions in care.

Perceived barriers and solutions identified by healthcare professionals in utilizing web-based reminiscence therapy to support dementia care during the pandemic.

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study conducted in Ontario, Canada, exploring healthcare professionals' perceptions of barriers and solutions for implementing Web-Based Reminiscence Therapy (WBRT) in an institutionalized settings for dementia care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identified five major barriers, including the lack of on-boarding/educational training, need for technology availability and technical support, limited attention span of persons with dementia (PWD), availability of multi-sensory features, and time constraints due to staff workload. Seven major themes emerged related to proposed solutions/suggestions: (1) involving younger generations, (2) focusing on technology training, (3) integrating with other digital platforms, (4) adding narratives/descriptions to recollect memories, (5) ensuring accessibility, (6) adding QR codes for retrieving information, and (7) combining digital/traditional reminiscence methods. These findings provide valuable insights for implementing WBRT to facilitate dementia care and for the future refinement of its application.

Implementing geriatric assessment and management for older Canadians with cancer: Adherence to and satisfaction with the intervention, results of the 5C study.

INTRODUCTION: Geriatric assessment and management (GAM) is recommended by professional organizations and recently several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated benefits in multiple health outcomes. GAM typically leads to one or more recommendations for the older adult on how to optimize their health. However, little is known about how well recommendations are adhered to. Understanding these issues is vital to designing GAM trials and clinical programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the number of GAM recommendations made and adherence to and satisfaction with the intervention in a multicentre RCT of GAM for older adults with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 5C study was a two-group parallel RCT conducted in eight hospitals across Canada. Each centre kept a detailed recruitment and retention log. The intervention teams documented adherence to their recommendations. Medical records were also reviewed to assess which recommendations were adhered to. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 members of the intervention teams and 11 oncology team members to assess implementation of the study and the intervention. RESULTS: Of the 350 participants who were enrolled, 173 were randomized to the intervention arm. Median number of recommendations was seven. Mean adherence to recommendations based on the GAM was 69%, but it varied by type of recommendation, ranging from 98% for laboratory tests to 28% for psychosocial/psychiatry oncology referrals. There was no difference in the number of recommendations or non-adherence to recommendations by sex, level of frailty, or functional status. Oncologists and intervention team members were satisfied with the study implementation and intervention delivery. DISCUSSION: Adherence to recommendations was variable. Adherence to laboratory investigations and further imaging were generally high but much lower for recommendations regarding psychosocial support. Further collaborative work with older adults with cancer is needed to understand how to optimize the intervention to be consistent with patient goals, priorities, and values to ensure maximal impact on health outcomes.

Patient perspectives on the use of mobile apps to support heart failure management: A qualitative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to diet and medical therapies are key to improving heart failure (HF) outcomes; however, nonadherence is common. While mobile apps may be a promising way to support patients with adherence via education and monitoring, HF patient perspectives regarding the use of apps for HF management in unknown. This data is critical for these tools to be successfully developed, implemented, and adopted to optimize adherence and improve HF outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine patients' needs, motivations, and challenges on the use of mobile apps to support HF management. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study using focus groups (n = 4,60 minutes) was conducted among HF patients from outpatient HF clinics in Toronto, Canada. The Diffusion of Innovation theory informed a ten-question interview guide. Interview transcripts were independently coded by two researchers and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen HF patients (65 ± 10 yrs, 12 men) identified a total of four key themes related to the use of mobile apps. The theme 'Factors impacting technology use by patients' identified motivations and challenges to app use, including access to credible information, easy and accessible user-interface. Three themes described patients' needs on the use of mobile apps to support HF management: 1) 'Providing patient support through access to information and self-monitoring', apps could provide education on HF-related content (e.g., diet, medication, symptoms); 2) 'Facilitating connection and communication', through information sharing with healthcare providers and connecting with other patients; 3) 'Patient preferences', app features such as reminders for medication, and visuals to show changes in HF symptoms were favoured. CONCLUSIONS: HF patients perceive several benefits and challenges to app use for HF self-management. Capitalizing on the benefits and addressing the challenges during the app development process may maximize adoption of such tools in this patient population.

Healthcare professionals' perception of using a web-based reminiscence therapy to support person with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Reminiscence therapy (RT) is the most common non-pharmacological treatment for dementia care. The therapy stimulates the senses to evoke memories having the potential to reduce Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). Digital RT, such as web-based reminiscence therapy (WBRT), has the potential to support dementia care and reduce the caregiving burden. AIMS: This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals (HCPs) perceptions of utilizing WBRT in institutionalized settings to support persons with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative phenomenological descriptive study was adopted and guided by Graham's Knowledge to Action framework. Online training on the use of WBRT was conducted, followed by interviews with HCPs. RESULTS: Four major themes were identified on the potential use of WBRT in dementia care, including usability and efficacy, impact on caregiving, capability of reducing BPSD, and. feasibility during COVID-19 social distancing. DISCUSSION: This study recognized the potential use of WBRT to support the person with dementia during the pandemic in institutionalized settings. CONCLUSION: The knowledge generated from this study will guide the future application of WBRT to support dementia care in diverse healthcare settings.

The development of an electronic geriatric assessment tool: Comprehensive health assessment for my plan (CHAMP).

INTRODUCTION: Geriatric assessment (GA) provides information on key health domains of older adults and is recommended to help inform cancer treatment decisions and cancer care. However, GA is not feasible in many health institutions due to lack of geriatric staff and/or resources. To increase accessibility to GA and improve treatment decision making for older adults with cancer (≥65 years), we developed a self-reported, electronic geriatric assessment tool: Comprehensive Assessment for My Plan (CHAMP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Older adults with cancer were invited to join user-centered design sessions to develop the layout and content of the tool. Subsequently, they participated in usability testing to test the usability of the tool (ease of use, acceptability, etc.). Design sessions were also conducted with oncology clinicians (oncologists and nurses) to develop the tool's clinician interface. GA assessment questions and GA recommendations were guided by a systematic review and Delphi expert panel. RESULTS: A total of seventeen older adults participated in the study. Participants were mainly males (82.4%) and 75% were aged 75 years and older. Nine oncology clinicians participated in design sessions. Older adults and clinicians agreed that the tool was user-friendly. Domains in the final CHAMP tool (with questions and recommendations) included functional status, falls risk, cognitive impairment, nutrition, medication review, social supports, depression, substance use disorder, and miscellaneous items. DISCUSSION: CHAMP was designed for use by older adults and oncologists and may enhance access to GA for older adults with cancer. The next phase of the CHAMP study will involve field validation in oncology clinics.

Impact of Geriatric Assessment and Management on Quality of Life, Unplanned Hospitalizations, Toxicity, and Survival for Older Adults With Cancer: The Randomized 5C Trial.

PURPOSE: American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that older adults with cancer being considered for chemotherapy receive geriatric assessment (GA) and management (GAM), but few randomized controlled trials have examined its impact on quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 5C study was a two-group parallel 1:1 single-blind multicenter randomized controlled trial of GAM for 6 months versus usual oncologic care. Eligible patients were age 70+ years, diagnosed with a solid tumor, lymphoma, or myeloma, referred for first-/second-line chemotherapy or immunotherapy or targeted therapy, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2. The primary outcome QOL was measured with the global health scale of the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL questionnaire and analyzed with a pattern mixture model using an intent-to-treat approach (at 6 and 12 months). Secondary outcomes included functional status, grade 3-5 treatment toxicity; health care use; satisfaction; cancer treatment plan modification; and overall survival. RESULTS: From March 2018 to March 2020, 350 participants were enrolled. Mean age was 76 years and 40.3% were female. Fifty-four percent started treatment with palliative intent. Eighty-one (23.1%) patients died. GAM did not improve QOL (global QOL of 4.4 points [95% CI, 0.9 to 8.0] favoring the control arm). There was also no difference in survival, change in treatment plan, unplanned hospitalization/emergency department visits, and treatment toxicity between groups. CONCLUSION: GAM did not improve QOL. Most intervention group participants received GA on or after treatment initiation per patient request. Considering recent completed trials, GA may have benefit if completed before treatment selection. The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected our QOL outcome and intervention delivery for some participants.

The Feasibility of a Primary Care Based Navigation Service to Support Access to Health and Social Resources: The Access to Resources in the Community (ARC) Model.

Introduction: We established a patient centric navigation model embedded in primary care (PC) to support access to the broad range of health and social resources; the Access to Resources in the Community (ARC) model. Methods: We evaluated the feasibility of ARC using the rapid cycle evaluations of the intervention processes, patient and PC provider surveys, and navigator log data. PC providers enrolled were asked to refer patients in whom they identified a health and/or social need to the ARC navigator. Results: Participants: 26 family physicians in four practices, and 82 of the 131 patients they referred. ARC was easily integrated in PC practices and was especially valued in the non-interprofessional practices. Patient overall satisfaction was very high (89%). Sixty patients completed the post-intervention surveys, and 33 reported accessing one or more service(s). Conclusion: The ARC Model is an innovative approach to reach and support a broad range of patients access needed resources. The Model is feasible and acceptable to PC providers and patients, and has demonstrated potential for improving patients' access to health and social resources. This study has informed a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to evaluate the ARC navigation to an existing web and telephone navigation service (Ontario 211).

Evaluating Health Care Provider Perspectives on the Use of Mobile Apps to Support Patients With Heart Failure Management: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: Nonadherence to diet and medical therapies in heart failure (HF) contributes to poor HF outcomes. Mobile apps may be a promising way to improve adherence because they increase knowledge and behavior change via education and monitoring. Well-designed apps with input from health care providers (HCPs) can lead to successful adoption of such apps in practice. However, little is known about HCPs' perspectives on the use of mobile apps to support HF management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine HCPs' perspectives (needs, motivations, and challenges) on the use of mobile apps to support patients with HF management. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study using one-on-one semistructured interviews, informed by the diffusion of innovation theory, was conducted among HF HCPs, including cardiologists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Transcripts were independently coded by 2 researchers and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: The 21 HCPs (cardiologists: n=8, 38%; nurses: n=6, 29%; and nurse practitioners: n=7, 33%) identified challenges and opportunities for app adoption across 5 themes: participant-perceived factors that affect app adoption-these include patient age, technology savviness, technology access, and ease of use; improved delivery of care-apps can support remote care; collect, share, and assess health information; identify adverse events; prevent hospitalizations; and limit clinic visits; facilitating patient engagement in care-apps can provide feedback and reinforcement, facilitate connection and communication between patients and their HCPs, support monitoring, and track self-care; providing patient support through education-apps can provide HF-related information (ie, diet and medications); and participant views on app features for their patients-HCPs felt that useful apps would have reminders and alarms and participative elements (gamification, food scanner, and quizzes). CONCLUSIONS: HCPs had positive views on the use of mobile apps to support patients with HF management. These findings can inform effective development and implementation strategies of HF management apps in clinical practice.

Reflection on moving research forward during COVID-19: Strategies to continue, conclude and commence.

The COVID-19 pandemic required oncology nursing researchers to immediately and drastically adjust their research activities. During the 33rd Annual CANO/ ACIO Conference Roundtable Workshop October 2021 - Moving Research Forward During COVID-19, oncology nurses gathered to share and discuss strategies they will continue, conclude, and commence when leading research during and beyond the pandemic. Workshop participants identified the use of low technology, such as telephone and virtual calls without video, as a valuable data collection strategy they will continue for individual interviews. In contrast, attendees expressed their desire to stop conducting virtual focus groups when public health measures are lifted. Oncology nurses indicated an interest in beginning to use a hybrid in-person/virtual data collection approach and incorporate some technological features, such as QR codes, for recruiting participants. Workshop attendees also reflected on the impact of COVID-19 on oncology nursing practice and education, highlighting future research priorities and considerations.

What should be measured to assess the quality of community-based palliative care? Results from a collaborative expert workshop.

OBJECTIVES: The need for palliative care (PC) will continue to increase in Canada with population aging. Many older adults prefer to "age in place" and receive care in their own homes. Currently, there is a lack of standardized quality indicators (QIs) for PC delivered in the community in Canada. METHODS: A one-day workshop collected expert opinions on what should be measured to capture quality PC. Three brainstorming sessions were focused on addressing the following questions: (1) what is important to measure to support quality PC, regardless of setting? (2) Of the identified measures, are any of special importance to care provided in the home? (3) What are the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for creating these measures? The National Consensus Project (NCP) for Quality Palliative Care framework was used as a guide to group together important comments into key themes. RESULTS: The experts identified four themes that are important for measuring quality, regardless of care setting, including access to care in the community by a multidisciplinary team, care for the individual with PC needs, support for the informal caregiver (e.g., family, friends), and symptom management for individuals with PC needs. Two additional themes were of special importance to measuring quality PC in the home, including spiritual care for individuals with PC needs and home as the preferred place of death. The challenges, barriers, and potential opportunities to these quality issues were also discussed. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: PC experts, through this collaborative process, made a substantial contribution to the creation of a standardized set of QIs for community-based PC. Having a standardized set of QIs will enable health care professionals and decision makers to target areas for improvement, implement interventions to improve the quality of care, and ultimately, optimize the health and well-being of individuals with a serious illness.

Self-management interventions for issues identified in a geriatric assessment: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: With the development of electronic geriatric assessment (GA), recommendations for self-management can be provided to patients without the presence of health care providers. Our research question was to identify what self-management interventions can be used by patients to address issues identified in GA and to determine their effect on patient-centered outcomes such as quality of life, health, mood, cognition, and functional status. METHODS: Searches were conducted on July 13, 2021, by a health sciences librarian in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library. A combination of database-specific subject headings and text word searches was used such as self-management, a key word for each of the geriatric assessment domains and older adults. Two independent reviewers reviewed abstracts and full texts for inclusion and abstracted data. Narrative synthesis was used to summarize findings. RESULTS: Among 28,520 abstracts reviewed, 34 randomized controlled trials were included. The most frequently studied geriatric domains were mood (n = 13 studies), mobility/falls (n = 12), quality of life (n = 11), and functional status (n = 7). The majority of studies demonstrated positive effects on mobility/falls (9 of 12), pain (3 of 5), comorbidity (4 of 4), and medication management (4 of 4). Most studies were of low to moderate quality. All geriatric domains were targeted in at least one study. CONCLUSIONS: Low- to moderate-quality studies show a variety of effective self-efficacy-targeted interventions exist for older adults to improve several important geriatric domains and related outcomes. However, long-term effects, validation, and scalability of these interventions remain largely unknown.

Assessing the Educational and Supportive Care Needs of Canadian Metastatic Melanoma Patients and Survivors Attending an Outpatient Clinic.

The rapid development of metastatic melanoma treatment options has significantly improved overall survival, but paralleled patient educational and supportive care resources have fallen behind. Particularly, the need for grassroots programs targeting environments outside urban centers has grown. Accordingly, an environmental scan of the Durham region in Ontario, Canada, showed the lack of melanoma-specific resources for outpatients. The goal of this study was to identify the needs of metastatic melanoma patients and survivors attending a large outpatient clinic in Durham, and then develop a patient-reviewed intervention plan. Needs were assessed in 5 domains through a melanoma-specific supportive care needs assessment survey. Among 75 surveyed melanoma patients and survivors, high-level needs were identified in 3 domains: psychological, health system information, and melanoma-specific information. Furthermore, domain-specific needs were heightened in specific sociodemographic groups. Based on these survey results, a multifaceted intervention plan was developed to mitigate future needs. The intervention plan was patient-reviewed in focus groups prior to implementation, refining the developed intervention plan.

Clinical and Cost-effectiveness of a Comprehensive geriatric assessment and management for Canadian elders with Cancer-the 5C study: a study protocol for a randomised controlled phase III trial.

INTRODUCTION: Geriatric assessment and management is recommended for older adults with cancer referred for chemotherapy but no randomised controlled trial has been completed of this intervention in the oncology setting. TRIAL DESIGN: A two-group parallel single blind multi-centre randomised trial with a companion trial-based economic evaluation from both payer and societal perspectives with process evaluation. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 350 participants aged 70+, diagnosed with a solid tumour, lymphoma or myeloma, referred for first/second line chemotherapy, who speak English/French, have an Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group Performance Status 0-2 will be recruited. All participants will be followed for 12 months. INTERVENTION: Geriatric assessment and management for 6 months. The control group will receive usual oncologic care. All participants will receive a monthly healthy ageing booklet for 6 months. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and cost-effectiveness of geriatric assessment and management in optimising outcomes compared with usual oncology care. RANDOMISATION: Participants will be allocated to one of the two arms in a 1:1 ratio. The randomisation will be stratified by centre and treatment intent (palliative vs other). OUTCOME: Quality of life. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: (1) Cost-effectiveness, (2) functional status, (3) number of geriatric issues successfully addressed, (4) grades3-5 treatment toxicity, (5) healthcare use, (6) satisfaction, (7) cancer treatment plan modification and (8) overall survival. PLANNED ANALYSIS: For the primary outcome we will use a pattern mixture model using an intent-to-treat approach (at 3, 6 and12 months). We will conduct a cost-utility analysis alongside this clinical trial. For secondary outcomes 2-4, we will use a variety of methods. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Our study has been approved by all required REBs. We will disseminate our findings to stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally and by publishing the findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03154671.