Perceptions of a patient-staff-caregiver group among inpatients in a radiotherapy unit.

OBJECTIVE: Coping with cancer and its treatments has significant psychological implications for patients, and hospitalization can lead to emotional distress. Based on a community meeting (CM), a common therapeutic intervention in psychiatric wards, a unique patient-staff-caregiver group is held weekly on the radiotherapy unit of our hospital. The goals are to strengthen patient coping abilities and prompt open communications. The present study aimed at quantitatively estimating the effect of the community meeting by gauging the perceptions with respect to several therapeutic aspects. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed for patients who participated in CMs during their hospitalization based on four theoretical factors: illness perception, relations with the main caregiver, relations with other participants, and relations with unit staff. RESULTS: Participants' general satisfaction with the meetings was found to be positive. The most significant aspect of the meetings, as perceived by participants, was relationships with the staff. Patients born in Israel perceived relationships with other participants more positively. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Attentive interaction with medical staff and open communications are highly important for patients and contribute to their general satisfaction with the meetings.

The medical necessity for medicinal cannabis: prospective, observational study evaluating the treatment in cancer patients on supportive or palliative care.

Background. Cancer patients using cannabis report better influence from the plant extract than from synthetic products. However, almost all the research conducted to date has been performed with synthetic products. We followed patients with a medicinal cannabis license to evaluate the advantages and side effects of using cannabis by cancer patients. Methods. The study included two interviews based on questionnaires regarding symptoms and side effects, the first held on the day the license was issued and the second 6-8 weeks later. Cancer symptoms and cannabis side effects were documented on scales from 0 to 4 following the CTCAE. The distress thermometer was used also. Results. Of the 211 patients who had a first interview, only 131 had the second interview, 25 of whom stopped treatment after less than a week. All cancer or anticancer treatment-related symptoms showed significant improvement (P < 0.001). No significant side effects except for memory lessening in patients with prolonged cannabis use (P = 0.002) were noted. Conclusion. The positive effects of cannabis on various cancer-related symptoms are tempered by reliance on self-reporting for many of the variables. Although studies with a control group are missing, the improvement in symptoms should push the use of cannabis in palliative treatment of oncology patients.

A preliminary report on innovative group therapy in an oncology in-patient department: a patient-family-staff community meeting.

OBJECTIVE: The Community Meeting (CM) is a unique form of group therapy applied from Psychiatry to an Oncology in-patient department. It is designed to answer the needs of in-patients and family members for open communication and empathic interaction and to serve as a model for effective coping. METHODS: A weekly staff-patient-family open group was held, with facilitation based on an integrative crisis intervention model. After each CM, the staff meets to discuss implications. RESULTS: Frequent themes include patient and caregiver concerns about cancer, treatments, communication and coping difficulties. Subjective impressions of participants indicate positive outcomes. The CM seems to enhance positive interactions and perceived quality of care. It helps staff to identify distress, serves as a managerial tool and promotes collaboration among staff. CONCLUSIONS: The CM is a unique method for addressing the burdens of in-patient oncology members. A structured study is needed to substantiate these descriptive outcomes.