Virtual care in end of life and palliative care: A rapid evidence check.

The purpose of this rapid evidence check was to identify virtual care modalities that are safe and effective in the delivery of end of life and palliative care. Thirty-three peer reviewed articles which were either review articles or interventional/evaluative studies presenting comparative data were identified through PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar searches. Extracted data was synthesized narratively and outcomes were categorised separately for patients, healthcare providers, caregivers and health system. Included studies reported on a wide range of virtual care modalities, including video consultation, mobile apps, videos, websites, telephone support, email and alert messages. Generally, studies reported similar or favourable quality of life outcomes to face-to-face palliative care, especially when virtual care was used as a supplement rather than a substitute for face-to-face care. Positive attitudes for perceived usefulness and helpfulness were reported by patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. Challenges identified related to technology limitations, trust, ethical concerns, administrative burden and evidence gaps. Overall, most studies found virtual care modalities to be safe and effective in end of life and palliative care with no detrimental adverse outcomes, when used as a supplement to face-to-face care.

Degree of Cancer Spread at Presentation and Survival Among Adolescents and Young Adults in New South Wales, Australia.

Purpose: Five-year relative cancer survival increased from 80% to 89% among adolescent and young adult (AYA) Australians between 1985-1989 and 2011-2015. New South Wales (NSW), with a third of the Australian population, has long recorded degree of spread (localized, regional, or distant) at diagnosis. This study complements national data by investigating survival increases after adjusting for differences in degree of spread, cancer type, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: Population-based NSW Cancer Registry data, for malignant solid cancers where degree of spread was applicable, were analyzed for ages 15-24 years in 1980-2015. Subhazard ratios (SHRs) from competing risk regression indicated risk of death from the primary cancer as opposed to other causes. Multiple logistic regression was used to model odds ratios for more extensive compared with localized spread at diagnosis. Results: Approximately 72% of cancers had a localized degree of spread. Adjusted SHRs for cancer-specific mortality decreased from 1980-1989 to 2010-2015 (SHR: 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.55-0.95). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for more advanced versus localized spread were lowest for melanoma and lip, oral cavity, and pharyngeal carcinoma, and highest for breast carcinoma, Ewing tumor, and colorectal carcinoma. The aOR for more advanced versus localized cancer was higher for men than women. Conclusions: Cancer survival increased to a statistically significantly in AYAs during 1980-2015, after adjusting for degree of spread, cancer type, and sociodemographic characteristics. We attribute this mostly to treatment gains. Linked data should be used to explore treatment contributions.

Shared learning to improve the care for young people and mental health within nurse education (SHYNE). Improving attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy.

Preparing students for the complexities of practice is an ongoing challenge of pre-registration nurse education. One such complexity is the increase in children and young people with mental health problems. Pre-registration student nurses from child and mental health specialisms from one University participated in an innovative simulation session, whereby actors from a youth theatre group simulated young people admitted to an acute non-mental health hospital setting for treatment of self-harm injuries. This study used an uncontrolled pre and post design to determine the impact of the session on student nurses' attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy when caring for young people who self-harm. Attitudes towards self-harm was measured using a 13 item self-report questionnaire. Confidence was measured through Likert scale responses. Self-efficacy for working with children and young people who have self-harmed was measured through an adapted version of the Self-Efficacy Towards Helping (SETH) scale. In total 101 student nurses took part in the study and 99% completed post simulation outcome measures. At post-session, the students reported a statistically significant improvement in attitudes, self-efficacy and confidence towards children and young people who self-harm. A lack of confidence is frequently reported in the literature when caring for this client group in practice settings. Improvements in attitudes, confidence and self-efficacy can positively impact individual nursing practice. Furthermore the simulation literature indicates that the skills consolidated using such an educational approach are taken forward into clinical practice. While broad claims of success should be avoided, it is promising to find a learning method that is effective in addressing a contemporary and complex health issue. Shared Learning to Improve the Care for Young People and Mental Health within Nurse Education (SHYNE): Improving Attitudes, Confidence and Self-Efficacy.

Safety and outcomes of 177 Lu-DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumours: experience in New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177 Lu-DOTATATE is a promising treatment for inoperable or metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). In 2015, the NSW Ministry of Health provided funding for 177 Lu-DOTATATE treatment of NET under an evaluation framework. AIMS: To examine the safety and outcomes of NET patients treated with 177 Lu-DOTATATE under the evaluation framework and assess the statewide implementation of the NSW Lutate therapy referral and protocol for neuroendocrine cancer patients. METHODS: A quality of care clinical audit was conducted on all NET patients treated with 177 Lu-DOTATATE from October 2010 to October 2015 at St George Hospital, and from August 2013 to March 2017 at Royal North Shore Hospital. Percentage of patients who met protocol selection criteria was calculated. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusted regression analyses assessed associations between key clinical factors and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 279 patients was treated. Statewide protocol implementation led to an increase from 60.5 to 83.8% in patients meeting selection criteria. Estimated median overall survival was significantly longer for patients who met selection criteria compared with those who did not (50.7 vs 34.2 months) (P = 0.018). This was driven by the significantly worse overall survival in patients who failed exclusion criteria (P < 0.001). 177 Lu-DOTATATE was well tolerated with haematological, renal and hepatic treatment-related serious adverse events experienced by 9.7, 0.4 and 0.4% of patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 177 Lu-DOTATATE is a promising treatment for advanced NET. Superior survival in patients who met selection criteria emphasise the importance of protocol adherence.

How expert mentoring can pave the way to successful leadership.

It is vital for the healthcare system that nurses of children and young people have the ability and courage to lead. These qualities can affect all elements of healthcare, from direct care through service commissioning ( Royal College of Nursing 2014 ) to staff satisfaction and retention ( Kerfoot 2000 , Corning 2002 , Heller et al 2004 ).

OC23 - Expert mentoring: a path to leadership.

Theme: Nursing education, management and leadership.

Australian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Barrett's esophagus (BE), a common condition, is the only known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). There is uncertainty about the best way to manage BE as most people with BE never develop EAC and most patients diagnosed with EAC have no preceding diagnosis of BE. Moreover, there have been recent advances in knowledge and practice about the management of BE and early EAC. To aid clinical decision making in this rapidly moving field, Cancer Council Australia convened an expert working party to identify pertinent clinical questions. The questions covered a wide range of topics including endoscopic and histological definitions of BE and early EAC; prevalence, incidence, natural history, and risk factors for BE; and methods for managing BE and early EAC. The latter considered modification of lifestyle factors; screening and surveillance strategies; and medical, endoscopic, and surgical interventions. To answer each question, the working party systematically reviewed the literature and developed a set of recommendations through consensus. Evidence underpinning each recommendation was rated according to quality and applicability.

Simulation: a shared learning experience for child and mental health pre-registration nursing students.

Learning through the use of simulation is perceived as an innovative means to help manage some of the contemporary challenges for pre-registration nurse education. Mental health and child nurses need to have the knowledge and skills to effectively address the holistic needs of service users. This article reports on a pilot simulated learning experience that was designed with key stakeholders for pre-registration child and mental health nursing students. This involved young actors playing the role of someone who had self-harmed to help students develop their skills for working with young people who experience emotional distress. Focus groups and a questionnaire were used to evaluate the pilot. Students valued the practical approach that simulation entailed and identified the benefits of the shared learning experience across the different fields of practice of nursing. However, some students reported anxiety performing in front of peers and indicated they would perform differently in practice. The pilot identified simulation as a potentially useful approach to help child and mental health student nurses develop skills for caring for young people. However, there is a need for caution in the claims to be made regarding the impact of simulation to address gaps in nursing skills.