An online intervention to improve oncology health professional self-efficacy in communicating with carers: Hybrid effectiveness-implementation evaluation of the eTRIO program.

OBJECTIVES: Many oncology health professionals (HPs) report communicating with carers as complex; and receive limited carer-relevant training. We developed an online HP education program for supporting and managing carer involvement (eTRIO). We aimed to assess whether HPs' self-efficacy in carer communication, knowledge, and decision-making preferences improve following eTRIO. Satisfaction and implementation potential were assessed. METHODS: This type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study used a pre-post single arm intervention design. HPs completed baseline measures, the eTRIO online module, and measures at 1- and 12-weeks post-intervention. Measures included: self-efficacy in carer communication (13-items), applied knowledge (7-items), preference for carer involvement in decisions (1-item). Fifteen of participants completed feedback interviews which underwent thematic analysis. User analytics were collected and analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-six HPs completed baseline measures, 42 completed post- and follow-up measures. At baseline mean self-efficacy score was 88. HPs showed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy post-intervention (mean = 105.8, CI [12.99, 20.47]), maintained at 12-weeks (mean = 101.1, CI [8.00, 15.72]). There were no changes in knowledge or decision-making preferences. Program engagement and satisfaction were high, 86.7% participants rated eTRIO as very/extremely helpful. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: eTRIO provided HPs with confidence to effectively engage with carers and manage complex situations such as family dominance. These gains are noteworthy, as conflict with families/carers contributes to HP burnout.

Development of Web-Based Education Modules to Improve Carer Engagement in Cancer Care: Design and User Experience Evaluation of the e-Triadic Oncology (eTRIO) Modules for Clinicians, Patients, and Carers.

BACKGROUND: Carers often assume key roles in cancer care. However, many carers report feeling disempowered and ill-equipped to support patients. Our group published evidence-based guidelines (the Triadic Oncology [TRIO] Guidelines) to improve oncology clinician engagement with carers and the management of challenging situations involving carers. OBJECTIVE: To facilitate implementation of the TRIO Guidelines in clinical practice, we aimed to develop, iteratively refine, and conduct user testing of a suite of evidence-based and interactive web-based education modules for oncology clinicians (e-Triadic Oncology [eTRIO]), patients with cancer, and carers (eTRIO for Patients and Carers [eTRIO-pc]). These were designed to improve carer involvement, communication, and shared decision-making in the cancer management setting. METHODS: The eTRIO education modules were based on extensive research, including systematic reviews, qualitative interviews, and consultation analyses. Guided by the person-based approach, module content and design were reviewed by an expert advisory group comprising academic and clinical experts (n=13) and consumers (n=5); content and design were continuously and iteratively refined. User experience testing (including "think-aloud" interviews and administration of the System Usability Scale [SUS]) of the modules was completed by additional clinicians (n=5), patients (n=3), and carers (n=3). RESULTS: The final clinician module comprises 14 sections, requires approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, and covers topics such as carer-inclusive communication and practices; supporting carer needs; and managing carer dominance, anger, and conflicting patient-carer wishes. The usability of the module was rated by 5 clinicians, with a mean SUS score of 75 (SD 5.3), which is interpreted as good. Clinicians often desired information in a concise format, divided into small "snackable" sections that could be easily recommenced if they were interrupted. The carer module features 11 sections; requires approximately 1.5 hours to complete; and includes topics such as the importance of carers, carer roles during consultations, and advocating for the patient. The patient module is an adaptation of the relevant carer module sections, comprising 7 sections and requiring 1 hour to complete. The average SUS score as rated by 6 patients and carers was 78 (SD 16.2), which is interpreted as good. Interactive activities, clinical vignette videos, and reflective learning exercises are incorporated into all modules. Patient and carer consumer advisers advocated for empathetic content and tone throughout their modules, with an easy-to-read and navigable module interface. CONCLUSIONS: The eTRIO suite of modules were rigorously developed using a person-based design methodology to meet the unique information needs and learning requirements of clinicians, patients, and carers, with the goal of improving effective and supportive carer involvement in cancer consultations and cancer care.

Cancer in general practice research priorities in Australia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4) is funded by Cancer Australia to support the development of new cancer in primary care research. We undertook a research prioritisation exercise to identify cancer research priorities in Australian general practice. METHOD: We adapted the nominal group technique, including a literature search and stakeholder survey. An expert group from the Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group consolidated and ranked priorities. A second stakeholder survey reviewing the top 50 priorities informed a final prioritisation workshop. RESULTS: Overall, 311 priorities were identified across the cancer continuum. Nearly one-third of priorities were related to cancer survivorship and included strategies to detect recurrence, behavioural interventions and tools to assess physical and psychosocial aspects of survivorship. Prevention/early detection comprised 43.4% of priorities. Palliative care produced the least priorities (9.6%). Cross cutting research priorities (15.1%) included quality and models of care. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to identify cancer research priorities for general practice in Australia. It could be used to inform the development of targeted research and funding to improve the care and outcomes for Australians affected by cancer.

Does medicinal cannabis affect depression, anxiety, and stress in people with cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies.

INTRODUCTION: Medicinal cannabis might have a role in supporting the mental health of people with cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, compared with any control, as an intervention for depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in people living with cancer. A secondary aim was to examine the effect of low versus high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dose on these outcomes. METHODS: Five databases were systematically searched, and complemented with a snowball search from inception to May 2023, for any type of interventional study that included humans of any age with any cancer type. Primary outcomes were incidence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Secondary outcomes were mood, cognition, quality of life, appetite, nutrition status, gastrointestinal symptoms, and adverse events. Data were pooled using Review Manager. Evidence was appraised using Cochrane risk of bias tools. Confidence in the estimated effect of pooled outcomes was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: Fifteen studies (n = 11 randomized trials, n = 4 non-randomized trials) of 18 interventions (N = 1898 total participants; 100 % ≥18 years of age) were included. Ten studies examined THC (70 % synthetic), two synthetic cannabidiol with or without THC, and six whole-plant extracts. No clinically significant effects of medicinal cannabis were found on primary outcomes. The likelihood of anxiety events increased with higher-dose synthetic THC compared with a lower dose (OR: 2.0; 95 % CI: 1.4, 2.9; p < 0.001; Confidence: very low). Medicinal cannabis (THC, cannabidiol, and whole-plant extract) increased the likelihood of improved appetite (OR: 12.3; 95 % CI: 3.5, 45.5; p < 0.001; n = 3 interventions; Confidence: moderate) and reduced severity of appetite loss (SMD: -0.4; 95 % CI: -0.8, -0.1; p = 0.009; Confidence: very low). There was very low confidence that higher doses of synthetic THC increased the likelihood of any adverse event (OR: 0.5; 95 % CI: 0.3, 0.7; p < 0.001). Medicinal cannabis had no effect on emotional functioning, mood changes, confusion, disorientation, quality of life, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Confidence in findings was limited by some studies having high or unclear risk of bias and imprecise pooled estimates. CONCLUSIONS: There was insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis as a therapeutic intervention for depression, anxiety, or stress in people with active cancer. Further research should explore whether medicinal cannabis might improve and maintain appetite and if high-dose synthetic THC might increase the incidence of side-effects, including anxiety. To inform clinical practice, well-powered and rigorously designed trials are warranted that evaluate the effects of medicinal cannabis prescribed to target anxiety, depression, and stress.

Perturbations in inflammatory pathways are associated with shortness of breath profiles in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: One plausible mechanistic hypothesis is the potential contribution of inflammatory mechanisms to shortness of breath. This study was aimed to evaluate for associations between the occurrence of shortness of breath and perturbations in inflammatory pathways. METHODS: Patients with cancer reported the occurrence of shortness of breath six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct shortness of breath occurrence profiles (i.e., none (70.5%), decreasing (8.2%), increasing (7.8%), high (13.5%)). Using an extreme phenotype approach, whole transcriptome differential gene expression and pathway impact analyses were performed to evaluate for perturbed signaling pathways associated with shortness of breath between the none and high classes. Two independent samples (RNA-sequencing (n = 293) and microarray (n = 295) methodologies) were evaluated. Fisher's combined probability method was used to combine these results to obtain a global test of the null hypothesis. In addition, an unweighted knowledge network was created using the specific pathway maps to evaluate for interconnections among these pathways. RESULTS: Twenty-nine Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes inflammatory signaling pathways were perturbed. The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway node had the highest closeness, betweenness, and degree scores. In addition, five common respiratory disease-related pathways, that may share mechanisms with cancer-related shortness of breath, were perturbed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that inflammation contribute to the occurrence of shortness of breath in patients with cancer. In addition, the mechanisms that underlie shortness of breath in oncology patients may be similar to other respiratory diseases.

Supporting Cancer Survivors Following Treatment for Non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Pilot Study Assessing the Feasibility and Process Outcomes of a Nurse-Led Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in Australia and comprises 2.8% of worldwide cancer diagnoses. Research targeting development and evaluation of post-treatment care for debilitating complications resulting from the disease and its treatment is limited. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led survivorship intervention, post-treatment in Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, 3-arm, pilot, randomized controlled, parallel-group trial was used. People with lymphoma were recruited and randomized to the intervention (ENGAGE), education booklet only, or usual care arm. Participants receiving ENGAGE received an educational booklet and were offered 3 consultations (via various modes) with a cancer nurse to develop a survivorship care plan and healthcare goals. Participant distress and intervention acceptability was measured at baseline and 12-wk. Acceptability was measured via a satisfaction survey using a 11-point scale. Feasibility was measured using participation, retention rates, and process outcomes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Thirty-four participants with HL and NHL were recruited to the study (11 = intervention, 11 = information only, 12 = usual care). Twenty-seven participants (79%) completed all time points from baseline to 12 wk. Seven (88%) of the 8 participants receiving ENGAGE completed all consultations using various modes to communicate with the nurse (videoconference 14/23, 61%; phone 5/23, 22%; face-to-face 4/23, 17%). Participants who completed the intervention were highly satisfied with ENGAGE. CONCLUSION: The ENGAGE intervention is feasible and highly acceptable for lymphoma survivors. These findings will inform a larger trial assessing effectiveness and cost effectiveness of ENGAGE.

'Can a relative override a patient's Advance Care Directive?': end-of-life legal worries of general practitioners and nurses working in aged care.

BACKGROUND: This paper aimed to describe the legal worries of Australian general practitioners (GPs) and nurses regarding end-of-life care provided in the aged care setting. METHODS: An analysis of responses to the final, open-ended question of a cross-sectional online survey of GPs and nurses practising in aged care settings in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria was undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 162 GPs and 61 nurses who gave valid responses to the survey, 92% (151 GPs and 55 nurses) responded to the open-ended question. Participants identified concerns across all relevant areas of end-of-life law. The most common concerns were substitute decision-makers or family member(s) wanting to overrule an Advance Care Directive, requests for futile or non-beneficial treatment and conflict about end-of-life decision-making. Participants often also identified concerns about their lack of legal knowledge and their fear of law or risk related to both end-of-life care generally and providing medication that may hasten death. CONCLUSIONS: Australian GPs and nurses working in aged care have broad-ranging legal concerns about providing end-of-life care. Legal concerns and knowledge gaps identified here highlight priority areas for future training of the aged care workforce.

Are Australian Cancer and Palliative Care Nurses Ready to Prescribe Medicines? A National Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Registered nurse prescribing has been put forth, for decades, as an innovative approach to meet growing healthcare needs, particularly in areas of care where medications are essential and highly controlled such as for patients requiring cancer and palliative care. However, the adoption of innovative health delivery models requires acceptance by key stakeholders. This study explores cancer and palliative care nurses' attitudes toward nurse prescribing and their perceptions about educational requirements for a nurse prescriber. DATA SOURCES: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to Australian nurses between March and July 2021. Data were collected using the Advancing Implementation of Nurse Prescribing in Australia online survey. Pearson χ2 tests were used to examine associations between nurses in cancer care, palliative care, and all other specialties on demographics, attitudes to nurse prescribing, and educational perspectives to become prescribers. Of the 4,424 nurses who participated in the survey, 161 nurses identified they worked in cancer care and 109 in palliative care settings. CONCLUSION: Although nurses have a common set of core capabilities, their work contexts and their professional experiences shape their attitudes toward practice. Nurses in cancer care were significantly less certain than nurses in palliative care [χ2(2) = 6.68, P = .04], and nurses from all other specialties [χ2(2) =13.87, P = <.01] of the benefits of nurse prescribing (ie, nurse prescribing would decrease health care system costs, reduce patient risk). Nurses in cancer care were more certain that successfully implementing nurse prescribing requires strong support from their medical and pharmacy colleagues. In addition, nurses working in cancer and palliative care agreed that improving patient care was their primary motivator for becoming a prescriber. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Open to expanding their role and responsibilities, nurses in cancer and palliative care settings reported that successfully adopting nurse prescribing must be supported by their other healthcare colleagues within the same environment, which demands strong interprofessional collaborative efforts.

Questions directed to children with diverse communicative competencies in paediatric healthcare consultations.

OBJECTIVE: This paper examines question-response sequences, in which clinicians asked questions to child patients who appear to interact using means other than the verbal mode of communication. METHODS: Conversation Analysis methods were used to study questions in 46 paediatric palliative care consultations. These questions were directed towards children who observably used vocalisations and embodied modes of communication (e.g., gaze, gesture and facial expressions) but did not appear to use the verbal mode. RESULTS: Most questions asked children either about their willingness and preferences for a proposed next activity, or their current feelings, experiences or intentions. Questions involved children by foregrounding their preferences and feelings. These questions occasioned contexts where the child's vocal or embodied conduct could be treated as a relevant response. CONCLUSION: This paper demonstrates how questions are used to involve children in consultations about their own healthcare, and how their views come to be understood by clinicians and family members, even when children interact using means other than the verbal mode of communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Questions can be asked of both children who do and do not verbally communicate. When asking questions, clinicians should be mindful of the modes of communication an individual child uses to consider how the child might meaningfully respond.

A Discourse of Deviance: Blame, Shame, Stigma and the Social Construction of Head and Neck Cancer.

Cancer of the head and neck is a confronting condition, as the disease and its treatments alter the appearance and function of body organs associated with physical appearance and identity. Many of the risk factors for head and neck cancers, including tobacco, alcohol, and human papilloma virus, can also have significant negative social and moral permutations. Language and action (discourse) plays an important role in constructing disease and illness and shape the way it is managed, both institutionally and socially. This research used a critical constructionist lens to investigate how the common discourses surrounding head and neck cancer are constructed within the healthcare context and how this influences patients and healthcare professionals' responses to the illness. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field noting, journaling and literature reviews. Analysis was guided by a three-dimensional approach to critical discourse analysis that investigated text, discursive practices, and social context. The overarching finding was that deviance dominates the common discourse and shapes head and neck cancer and responses to it. Deviance is channelled through metaphors, adjectives, descriptors, and collective nouns and is made overt through labelling, avoidance, blaming, shame, and categorization. Discourse is contextualized by a sociocultural understanding that when someone deviates from what is perceived as normal, they are devalued. Open dialogue and reflection on head and neck cancer discourse could enable better understanding of how people experience their condition and inform more supportive responses.

Perspectives of inpatients with palliative care needs, their families, clinicians and key stakeholders on measuring quality of hospital care via patient experience measures: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Globally there are high numbers of patients with palliative care needs receiving care in hospitals. Patient reported experience measures (PREMs) provide useful data to guide improvement work. How to implement PREMs within palliative care populations is unclear. AIM: To explore the perspectives of inpatients with palliative care needs, their family members, and the clinical team regarding the use of a generic PREM as compared with a PREM designed for people with palliative care needs and related implementation factors. DESIGN: A qualitative study was undertaken using semi-structured interviews and focus groups and integrated thematic analysis. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Inpatients with palliative care needs, their family members, and clinical team members were recruited from three wards in an Australian metropolitan hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-seven interviews and three focus groups were conducted. Six themes emerged: (1) PREMs for people with palliative care needs ought to be tailored to the needs of this population; (2) PREMs should appraise whether the needs of families have been met in addition to those of patients; (3) PREMs for inpatients with palliative care needs ought to be easy to use, brief and incorporate space for free text alongside each question; (4) Implementation of PREMs for people with palliative care needs ought to consider who administers these, when and how often; (5) PREM data need to be specific enough to inform process change and/or care provision; (6) Patients and families require meaningful feedback to encourage PREM completion. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides practical guidance for PREM selection and implementation to inform improvements to care for inpatients with palliative care needs.

Managing understandings of palliative care as more than care immediately before death: Evidence from observational analysis of consultations.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that public, and some professional, understandings of palliative care are limited to care provided immediately before death, which contrasts palliative care's scope as care provided across a range of illness stages. OBJECTIVE: To examine how clinicians manage patients' understandings of palliative care during initial consultations. DESIGN: Initial palliative care consultations were video-recorded and analysed using conversation analytic methods. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Consultations were recorded in a specialist palliative care outpatient unit within an Australian public hospital. Participants included 20 newly referred patients and their families, and three palliative care clinicians. RESULTS: During initial consultations, it was observed that specialist palliative care clinicians frequently managed the possibility that patients may understand palliative care as limited to care provided immediately before death. Clinicians used recurrent practices that seemed designed to pre-empt and contradict patients' possible narrow understandings. When discussing the palliative care inpatient unit, clinicians recurrently explained inpatient care could include active treatment and referred to the possibility of being discharged. These practices contradict possible understandings that future admission to the inpatient unit would be solely for care immediately before death. DISCUSSION: The findings demonstrate that palliative care clinicians are aware of possible narrow understandings of their discipline among members of the public. The practices identified show how clinicians pre-emptively manage these understandings to patients newly referred to palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight scope for greater partnership with teams referring patients to palliative care, to assist patients in understanding the range of reasons for their referral. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The observational method of conversation analysis provides direct insight into matters that are relevant for patients, as raised in their consultations with clinicians. This direct evidence enables analysis of their lived experience, as it occurs, and grounds analysis in observable details of participants' conduct, rather than interpretations of subjective experiences. The patients' contributions, therefore, were to allow observation into their initial palliative care consultations.

Online modules to improve health professionals' end-of-life law knowledge and confidence: a pre-post survey study.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals and medical students have knowledge gaps about the law that governs end-of-life decision-making. There is a lack of dedicated training on end-of-life law and corresponding research on the impact of this type of training. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of online training modules on key concepts of end-of-life law on Australian health professionals' legal knowledge and their self-reported confidence in applying the law in practice. METHODS: Online pre- and post-training surveys were completed by training participants. The optional surveys collected demographic data, directly assessed legal knowledge and measured self-reported confidence in applying the law in clinical practice, before and after training. RESULTS: Survey response rates were 66% (pre-training) and 12% (post-training). The final sample for analysis (n = 136 participants with matched pre- and post-training surveys), included nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, medical students and a small number of non-health professionals. Following completion of the online training modules, legal knowledge scores significantly increased overall and across each domain of end-of-life law. Participants were also more confident in applying the law in practice after training (median = 3.0, confident) than before training (median = 2.0, not confident). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that completion of online training modules on end-of-life law increased Australian health professionals' legal knowledge and self-reported confidence in applying the law in clinical practice. Participants demonstrated some remaining knowledge gaps after training, suggesting that the training, while effective, should be undertaken as part of ongoing education on end-of-life law. Future research should examine longer term outcomes and impacts of the training.

Work-related experiences of prostate cancer survivors in Australia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed cancer in Australian men, and the number of survivors is growing with advances in diagnosis and treatment. Work participation following PCa diagnosis and treatment becomes a significant aspect of quality of life and survivorship. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, we explored the work-related experiences of PCa survivors in Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 16 men (6 salaried employees, 10 self-employed; 8 diagnosed ≥ 5 years) purposively sampled from a community setting. Interviews were inductively analysed. RESULTS: Five main themes emerged: motivations to work; treatment decisions and work; the effects of PCa and its treatment on ability to participate in work; being an employee versus being self-employed; and personal agency. PCa and its treatment side-effects were detrimental to men's work capacity and ability, and could persist over an extended period. Most men expressed a strong desire to retain work or return to work. Discussions with healthcare professionals about work-related consequences were largely missing when treatment decisions were made. Self-employed men faced greater challenges than their salaried counterparts due to high financial burden and limited social and business support. Family, workplace and wider community support, and self-care, enhanced men's work participation experiences. CONCLUSIONS: PCa and its treatment substantially and persistently impacted men's working lives, and their experiences were diverse and multifaceted. Self-employed and long-term PCa survivors face greater challenges and are at high risk of poor work outcomes. A systematic approach and involvement of stakeholders at all levels is required to support ongoing work participation.

Addressing the end-of-life actions in the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (2nd edn): a national survey.

Objectives To describe current and planned processes and outcome measures to address implementation of the six end-of-life actions in the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (2nd edn) and explore associated barriers and enablers. Methods This study used an exploratory mixed methods national survey of acute healthcare facilities between September 2018 and March 2019. This study involved public and private facilities (N = 765) that provided end-of-life care, which are required to be accredited to the NSQHS Standards. Participants include those responsible for reporting implementation of end-of-life care actions at a facility providing end-of-life care. Participants were asked what processes and outcome measures were implemented or being planned to address the end-of-life care actions, and the associated barriers and enablers. Results Fifty respondents (6.5% response rate) from across Australia contributed data, reporting greater confidence in addressing Actions 5.16: Clinicians have access to Specialist Palliative Care Services; 5.17: Advance care plans can be received from patients and stored in medical records; and 5.18: Supervision and support is available for workforce providing end-of-life care. Barriers associated with the actions that were the most challenging to address included: competing clinical priorities, and insufficient resources to provide best practice end-of-life care; and the burdensome nature of conducting audits. Enablers included: (1) local, jurisdictional, and national strategic plans and policies; (2) support from Specialist Palliative Care Services; (3) access to resources and data; (4) standardised approaches to implementation and measuring outcomes; and (5) clinician, consumer and community engagement and education on end-of-life care. Conclusion Enablers and barriers in implementing the six end-of-life care actions were identified. Respondents reported that high-level support and direction, system-wide approaches, practical clinical support, and widespread community and clinician engagement would enable their facility to better address the end-of-life actions.

Higher Lifetime Stress and Symptom Burden Contribute to the Occurrence of Shortness of Breath.

OBJECTIVES: Among four classes of patients with distinct shortness of breath profiles, evaluate for differences in levels of global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, as well as resilience; evaluate for differences in the occurrence rates for various stressful life events, and evaluate for differences in the severity of common co-occurring symptoms. DATA SOURCES: Outpatients (N = 1338) completed questionnaires six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. The occurrence of shortness of breath was assessed using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct shortness of breath profiles. Differences among the classes were evaluated using parametric and nonparametric tests. CONCLUSION: Shortness of breath classes were labeled based on their distinct occurrence trajectories: None (70.5%), Decreasing (8.2%), Increasing (7.8%), and High (13.5%). Compared to None class, Decreasing and High classes had higher global and cancer-specific stress scores. The High class reported higher occurrence rates for several adverse childhood experiences. Compared to None class, Decreasing and High classes had higher depression, anxiety, and morning fatigue scores and lower morning energy and cognitive function scores. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Given the additive or synergistic relationships between stress, co-occurring symptoms, and shortness of breath, multimodal interventions that include stress management, exercise training, and/or symptom management may decrease shortness of breath in oncology patients.

The Effects of an Educational Intervention on Exercise Advice Behaviors of Thai Oncology Nurses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior to increase oncology nurses' exercise advice behaviors. METHODS: A single-group, quasi-experimental repeated measures design study was used with 124 oncology nurses in a Thai cancer institute. The educational intervention included preeducation self-directed activities for 1 hour, a 2-hour group education session, and posteducation outreach contact 1 week later. The outcome measures, including the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs, exercise knowledge, and self-reported exercise prescription behaviors, were collected at three time points: Time 1 (2 weeks preintervention), Time 2 (immediately preintervention), and Time 3 (2 weeks after the intervention). CONCLUSION: Results indicated a statistically significant increase in scores after the intervention for all outcomes, including the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs (overall P value <.001), exercise knowledge (ß = 2.99, P < .001), and exercise prescription behaviors: asking (odds ratio [OR] = 12.98, P < .001), assessing (OR = 6.20, P < .001), referring (OR = 4.10, P < .001), and writing exercise advice (OR = 11.52, P < .001). Additionally, verbal counseling behavior was performed by all participants, and therefore, the odds for verbal counseling were not reported. Structural equation modeling analysis demonstrated that attitudes and perceived behavioral control explained 41% of the variance in exercise advice intention. Perceived behavioral control and intention also explained 20% of the variance in self-reported exercise advice behaviors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Attitudinal and perceived behavioral control constructs should be a focus of attention to improve health care professionals' exercise advice behaviors. More focused research is required to examine whether patients engage in and follow the exercise advice provided by oncology nurses.

Multifactorial Model of Dyspnea in Patients With Cancer.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: Dyspnea is a common and distressing symptom for patients with cancer. Although the risk factors for dyspnea in patients with cancer are likely to be multifactorial, a comprehensive description of these risk factors and associated mechanisms is not available in the extant literature. LITERATURE SEARCH: A search of all relevant databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed®, Embase®, Web of Science, and CINAHL®, was done from January 2009 to May 2022. Case-control and cohort studies that had either a cross-sectional or longitudinal design, as well as randomized controlled trials, were included in the review. Peer-reviewed, full-text articles in English were included. Nineteen studies reported on risk factors for dyspnea. DATA EVALUATION: The methodologic quality of each study was examined using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. SYNTHESIS: A number of factors can influence the occurrence and severity of dyspnea. Using the Mismatch Theory of Dyspnea as the central core of this Multifactorial Model of Dyspnea in Patients With Cancer, the factors included in this conceptual model are person, clinical, and cancer-related factors, as well as respiratory muscle weakness, co-occurring symptoms, and stress. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Multifactorial Model of Dyspnea in Patients With Cancer can be used by clinicians to evaluate for multiple factors that contribute to dyspnea and to develop individualized and multilevel interventions for patients experiencing this symptom.

Feasibility of Weekly Electronic Patient- and Proxy-Reported Outcome Measures in Pediatric Oncology.

BACKGROUND: Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) benefit adult cancer care, but their use in pediatric cancer care is limited. OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of collecting weekly ePROMs from pediatric cancer patients and/or their caregivers and to describe children's levels of symptom burden, distress, and cancer-related quality of life. METHODS: A prospective and longitudinal cohort study was undertaken at one tertiary children's cancer center. Children (2-18 years)/caregivers completed ePROMs with validated measures for distress, symptom burden, and cancer-related quality of life weekly for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Seventy children/caregivers participated in the study, and 69% completed ePROMs at all 8 weeks. Distress and cancer-related quality of life significantly improved over time. However, at week 8, almost half of the participants still reported high levels of distress. Symptom burden decreased over time, with the youngest and the oldest age groups (2-3 and 13-18 years) reporting the highest number of symptoms with severe burden. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly collection of ePROMs in pediatric cancer care is feasible. Although distress, quality of life, and symptom burden improve over time, there is a need for timely assessment and interventions to improve symptoms, high levels of distress, and issues that negatively affect quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses are ideally placed to intervene, assess, and monitor symptoms and to provide symptom management advice to pediatric cancer patients and caregivers. Findings from this study may inform the design of models of pediatric cancer care to improve communication with the healthcare team and patient experience of care.