Identifying the drivers of overall rating of cancer care: Insights from the second wave of the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences study.

BACKGROUND: Patient experience surveys gather information on various aspects of care via numerous survey items. Identifying the most critical areas of patient experience to prioritize for quality care improvement can be challenging. The objective of this study was to determine which care experience items are the drivers influencing patients' overall rating of cancer care. METHODS: Data from 2750 adult patients with cancer from the second wave of the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences study were analyzed. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight Swiss hospitals from September 2021 to February 2022. Stepwise logistic regression examined the relationship between overall care rating and 29 patient experience items covering different patient-centered care dimensions while adjusting for sociodemographic and health variables. RESULTS: Overall, patients rated their cancer care experience at 8.9 out of 10. Stepwise regression identified seven drivers contributing to overall care rating. The strongest drivers were "professionals worked well together" (odds ratio [OR], 4.81) and "tests were not repeated" (OR, 2.09) from the coordination and integration dimension, "offered support for symptoms during treatment" (OR, 2.11) from the physical comfort dimension, followed by "hospital staff ensured available home support" (OR, 1.99), "offered to see health professional for concerns" (OR, 1.91), "treatment options were explained" (OR, 1.75), and "involved in treatment decisions as desired" (OR, 1.68). CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated the care experiences of patients with cancer with a comprehensive tool that identified seven key factors independently associated with overall care rating. By concentrating on these areas, hospitals can not only improve the patient care experience but also efficiently allocate resources to quality improvement initiatives.

Reflections on the opportunities and challenges of applying experience-based co-design (EBCD) to phase 1 clinical trials in oncology.

BACKGROUND: Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) is a multi-stage participatory action research process which was developed originally to increase patient involvement in service improvement initiatives. This viewpoint article serves as a reflection on the researchers' experiences, focusing on the application and feasibility of participatory approaches, particularly co-design, in the specific context of early-phase clinical trials. METHODS: We reflect on the opportunities and challenges of applying EBCD in a new context of early-phase clinical trials in oncology where experimental treatments are increasingly perceived as a therapeutic option and, in certain instances, their efficacy may lead to accelerated approval facilitating a swifter integration into standard care. RESULTS: We propose that the opportunity of applying EBCD in such trials lies in improving the delivery of person-centered care, care coordination, and support during the transition from experimental to standard care. Three potential challenges when applying EBCD in early-phase clinical trials are discussed related to: the need for standardization in trial processes; planning EBCD in a context of high uncertainty; and vulnerability of patient populations. CONCLUSION: Integrating EBCD into early-phase oncology trials presents an opportunity to enhance person-centered care and can lead to simultaneous improvements in care processes and therapeutic development. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This article has been developed with the collaboration of a patient partner who serves on the advisory board of our ongoing EBCD study in early clinical trials.

Inequalities in patients' experiences with cancer care: the role of economic and health literacy determinants.

BACKGROUND: Patients with fewer socioeconomic and health literacy resources are disadvantaged in their access and use of healthcare, which may give rise to worse experiences with care and thus inequalities in patient experiences. However, only a limited number of studies have examined how socioeconomic and health literacy factors shape inequalities in patients' experiences with cancer care. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patients' experiences with cancer care differ according to their economic status and health literacy. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data on 2789 adult patients diagnosed with cancer from the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences-2 (SCAPE-2) study, a cross-sectional survey conducted in eight hospitals across Switzerland from September 2021 to February 2022. Regression analysis was applied to examine the independent effect of patients' economic status and health literacy on various outcomes of experiences with cancer care, covering eight different dimensions of patient-centred care, controlling for confounding factors. RESULTS: Adjusted regression analysis showed that patients with lower economic status reported significantly worse experiences with cancer care in 12 out of 29 specific care experiences, especially in the dimensions of 'respect for patients' preferences' and 'physical comfort' where all items of experiences were associated with economic status. Additionally, lower health literacy was associated with worse patient experiences in 23 specific care experiences. All items in the dimensions of 'respect for patients' preferences', 'physical comfort' and 'emotional support' were associated with health literacy. DISCUSSION: This study revealed significant inequalities in experiences with cancer care shaped by the economic status and health literacy of patients across different dimensions of patient-centred care. It is essential to address the needs of more disadvantaged patients who face obstacles in their access and use of the healthcare system, not only to mitigate inequalities in cancer care but also to avoid inequalities in health outcomes.

Mapping advanced practice nurses' scope of practice, satisfaction, and drivers of role performance.

Background: Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) roles in Switzerland include Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Practitioner (NP) and blended roles. The variety contributes to unclear profiles and scope of practice. Aim: To describe a) the performance of APN tasks according to Hamric's competencies, b) job satisfaction, and c) barriers and facilitators to role performance. Methods: Nationwide cross-sectional survey among clinically working APNs. Inclusion criteria: academic degree, role with advanced nursing competency. Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using inferential statistics and content analysis. Results: Of the 222 APNs, 49% (n = 108) described themselves as CNSs, 37% (n = 81) as working in a blended role, and 15% (n = 33) as NP. APNs provided the greatest proportion of their tasks in the competency direct clinical practice and the least in ethical decision-making. Group comparisons between roles revealed significant differences in the competencies: direct clinical practice, guidance and coaching, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Job satisfaction was high (76%, n = 165), most often described by the category work content/role (e.g., defined scope of practice). The most frequent barrier to role performance was the category scope of practice (e.g., unclear responsibilities); the most frequent facilitator was the category professional recognition (e.g., respect). Conclusion: The study highlights current APN scope of practice and can support the advancement of the role through clinical practice, educational institutions, and research.

Socio-demographic and health-related determinants of patients' overall rating and experiences of cancer care.

BACKGROUND: Understanding how patient-reported experiences of care and overall rating of care vary among patients with different characteristics is useful to help interpret results from patient experience surveys and design targeted improvement interventions. The primary objective of this paper was to identify the socio-demographic and health-related characteristics independently associated with overall rating of cancer care. The secondary objective was to explore if and how these characteristics were associated with specific experiences of cancer care. METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter study analyzed self-reported data collected from 2696 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, skin, or hematological cancer from four large hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland. Multivariate logistic regressions with purposeful stepwise selection of independent variables were used to identify the socio-demographic and health-related characteristics independently associated with overall rating of cancer care in the primary analyses. In the secondary analyses, we ran the multivariate model from the primary analyses with specific experiences of care as outcomes to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the selected characteristics. RESULTS: Respondents' mean rating of overall cancer care was 8.5 on a scale from 0 to 10, with 17% categorized as reporting a low rating (0-7 rating). Being a woman (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.12-1.83), not being Swiss (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.12-1.94), reporting lower health literacy (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.54-2.47), preferring making medical decisions alone (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.38-2.67), having forgone care due to cost (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.29-2.29), having used complementary medicine (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.22-1.97), and reporting poorer health (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.17-4.50) were all independently associated with a low rating of overall cancer care. Poorer health, lower health literacy, and having forgone care were the three characteristics most often associated with problematic experiences of care. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified several patient characteristics consistently associated with lower overall rating of care and specific experiences of cancer care. Among these determinants, health literacy and financial hardship emerged as key recurring factors shaping poor patient experiences that should be prioritized for attention by cancer care services.

The Lausanne Hospitality Model: a model integrating hospitality into supportive care.

PURPOSE: Cancer care is undergoing a conceptual shift with the introduction of the principles of patient-centered care to support patients' individual needs. These needs include those related to hospitality during cancer treatments. This paper aims to provide an extension of the supportive care framework by bringing in the hospitality approach inspired by the hotel industry. METHOD: The "Lausanne Hospitality Model," integrating hospitality into supportive care, was developed through an iterative process, combining expertise in supportive care and health services research, communication, and the hotel industry. RESULTS: This conceptual paper integrates hospitality and service sciences into the supportive care framework. The "Lausanne Hospitality Model" offers new insights into the notions of cancer journey, patient experience, services, and practices that may be involved when facilitating hospitality. While most concepts used in the model are based on prior research, they have not been combined previously. The model highlights the place of hospitality in the patient's experience within cancer services and, by extension, its role in professional practice. CONCLUSION: Practices involved in the delivery of cancer care need to reinforce the importance attributed to hospitality services, as they impact patients' experiences. By integrating the hospitality perspective into healthcare delivery and supportive care, this paper addresses previously theoretically overlooked aspects that impact patients' experiences during cancer care.

Development of an eHealth-enhanced model of care for the monitoring and management of immune-related adverse events in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

PURPOSE: The use of electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) data in routine care has been tied to direct patient benefits such as improved quality of care and symptom control and even overall survival. The modes of action behind such benefits are seldom described in detail. Here, we describe the development of a model of care leveraging ePRO data to monitor and manage symptoms of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. METHODS: Development was split into four stages: (1) identification of an underlying theoretical framework, (2) the selection of an ePRO measure (ePROM), (3) the adaptation of an electronic application to collect ePRO data, and (4) the description of an ePRO-oriented workflow. The model of care is currently evaluated in a bicentric longitudinal randomized controlled phase II trial, the IePRO study. RESULTS: The IePRO model of care is grounded in the eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model. Patients are prompted to report symptoms using an electronic mobile application. Triage nurses are alerted, review the reported symptoms, and contact patients in case of a new or worsening symptom. Nurses use the UKONS 24-hour telephone triage tool to issue patient management recommendations to the oncology team. Adapted care coordinating procedures facilitate team collaboration and provide patients with timely feedback. CONCLUSION: This report clarifies how components of care are created and modified to leverage ePRO to enhance care. The model describes a workflow that enables care teams to be proactive and provide patients with timely, multidisciplinary support to manage symptoms.

Patient-reported experiences of cancer care related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland.

PURPOSE: This study aims to describe the experience of Swiss oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A national multi-center study including five hospitals covering the three main language regions of Switzerland was conducted between March and July 2021. Patients with melanoma, breast, lung, or colon cancer receiving active systemic anti-cancer treatment at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic were included. We conducted semi-structured telephone or onsite interviews alongside the administration of distress and resilience-validated questionnaires. Thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data and descriptive statistics for the quantitative data. RESULTS: Sixty-two cancer patients with a mean age of 61 (SD=14) (58% female) were interviewed. Based on the interviews, we identified that the experience of having cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic was related to five dimensions: psychological, social, support, healthcare, and vaccination. Three themes transverse the five dimensions: (a) needs, (b) positive changes, and (c) phases of the pandemic. In general, patients did not experience delays or disruptions in their cancer treatment nor felt additionally burdened by the pandemic. Lockdown and isolation were reported as mixed experiences (positive and negative), and access to vaccination reassured patients against the risk of infection and instilled hope to return to normalcy. Additionally, we found low distress levels (M=2.9; SD=2.5) and high resilience scores (M=7; SD=1.3) in these patients. CONCLUSION: Swiss patients with cancer did not express major needs or disruptions in their care during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results identify the mixed experiences of patients and highlight the high resilience levels.

Resilience in adults with colorectal cancer: Refining a conceptual model using a descriptive qualitative approach.

AIMS: To examine and refine a conceptual model of resilience in adult cancer care based on the perspectives and experiences of resilience in adults with colorectal cancer. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study was performed. METHODS: Twelve participants diagnosed with colorectal cancer that had completed cancer treatment with curative intent were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Australia from July to December 2019. The meaning of individual resilience was explored using in-depth individual interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Following data analysis, the elements of the conceptual model of resilience were mapped against the themes and subthemes to refine the model. RESULTS: Five themes were identified as key elements of individual resilience in adults with colorectal cancer: (1) seeking motivations to move forward; (2) striving for normality; (3) adapting and managing self; (4) drawing on external supports; (5) redefining self. A refined conceptual model of individual resilience in adults with colorectal cancer was developed based on the integration of the themes and the elements of the conceptual model of individual resilience. CONCLUSIONS: Our refined conceptual model of individual resilience in adults with colorectal cancer could facilitate nurses' and other health professionals' understanding of the process of how resilient individuals with colorectal cancer overcome their illness-related adversity. This refined model may be used to further develop and test cancer-specific resilience measures and develop interventions to facilitate resilience in people living with colorectal cancer. IMPACT: This research identified five features of resilience in adults with colorectal cancer and refined a conceptual model of resilience in adults with colorectal cancer. The findings could help nurses and other health professionals with identifying individuals who are at risk of adaptation difficulties and contribute to an early referral to psychosocial support services.

Validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire: A national survey.

AIM: To describe psychometric validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire. DESIGN: Cross-sectional quantitative study. METHODS: The development of the questionnaire followed an adapted version of the seven steps described in the guide by the Association for Medical Education in Europe. A nationwide online survey tested the construct and structural validity and internal consistency using an exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and a Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the hypotheses. RESULTS: We received 222 questionnaires between January and September 2020. The factor analysis produced a seven-factor solution as suggested in Hamric's model. However, not all item loadings aligned with the framework's competencies. Cronbach's alpha of factors ranged between .795 and .879. The analysis confirmed the construct validity of the Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire. The tool was able to discriminate the competencies of guidance and coaching, direct clinical practice and leadership across the three advanced practice nurse roles clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or blended role. CONCLUSION: A precise assessment of advanced practice nurse tasks is crucial in clinical practice and in research as it may be a basis for further refinement, implementation and evaluation of roles. IMPACT: The Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire is the first valid tool to assess tasks according to Hamric's model of competencies independently of the role or the setting. Additionally, it distinguishes the most common advanced practice nurse roles according to the degree of tasks in direct clinical practice and leadership. The tool may be applied in various countries, independent of the degree of implementation and understanding of advanced nursing practice. REPORTING METHOD: The STARD 2015 guideline was used to report the study. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Patients' experiences with cancer care in Switzerland: Results of a multicentre cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to describe patients' experiences of cancer care in Switzerland and explore the variation of these experiences by type of cancer. METHODS: The Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences (SCAPE) study was a cross-sectional, multicentre survey conducted in 2018. Adult patients (n = 7145) with breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, skin or haematological cancer from four large hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland were invited to complete a survey. Logistic regressions were used to assess whether experiences varied according to cancer type, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Of the 3121 persons who returned the survey (44% response rate), 2755 reporting an eligible cancer were included in the analyses. Participants' average score for overall care was 8.5 out of a maximum score of 10. Higher rates of positive experiences were found for nurse consultations (94%), diagnostic tests (85%) and inpatient care (82%). Lower positive responses were reported for support for people with cancer (70%), treatment decisions (66%), diagnosis (65%) and home care (55%). We observed non-systematic differences in experiences of care by cancer type. CONCLUSIONS: This large study identified that cancer patient experiences can be improved in relation to communication, information and supportive care aspects. Improvement efforts should target these areas of care to enhance responsiveness of cancer care.

[Patient involvement in oncology research - Development of a reference framework in French-speaking Switzerland]. / Implication des patients dans la recherche en oncologie - Développement d'un cadre de référence en Suisse romande.

Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research is increasingly recognized and encouraged by public and funding bodies. Although gaining momentum, the implementation of PPI in Switzerland remains recent. Since 2021, the Laboratoire des Patients, affiliated to the Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), aims to establish a PPI model for oncology research adapted to the local context that will assist researchers to apply PPI approaches within their projects. Among its functions, the Laboratoire des Patients will offer a training program for patients and researchers targeting PPI in research, support throughout the projects, and consultation and mediation services for patients and researchers. This article discusses the utility of PPI in research and describes the SCCL-PPI model.

L'implication des patients et du public (IPP) en recherche est de plus en plus reconnue et encouragée par les organismes publics et de financement. Bien qu'en accélération, l'implantation de l'IPP en Suisse reste récente. Depuis 2021, le Laboratoire des patients, affilié au Swiss Cancer Center Léman (SCCL), a pour but d'établir un modèle IPP pour la recherche en oncologie adapté au contexte local qui facilitera pour les chercheurs la mise en place des approches IPP au sein de leurs projets. Parmi ses fonctions, le Laboratoire des patients offrira des programmes de formation pour patients et chercheurs ciblant l'IPP en recherche, un accompagnement tout au long des projets, ainsi que des services de consultation et médiation pour patients et chercheurs. Cet article discute l'utilité de l'IPP en recherche et décrit le modèle SCCL-IPP.

Experiences of people affected by cancer during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory qualitative analysis of public online forums.

PURPOSE: Studies focusing on patients with and survivors of cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight unique psychological and behavioral challenges. These findings were obtained in surveys using self-report questionnaires with pre-specified response options that may not capture the broad range of experiences of individuals affected by cancer, including people with cancer and informal caregivers, in this unprecedented situation. Online forums produce a large amount of valuable first-hand user-generated content that can be used to better understand their day-to-day lives. This study, based on the analysis of narratives in cancer online forums, aims to describe and categorize the experiences of people affected by cancer during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: An inductive, descriptive, thematic approach was applied to publicly available cancer forums from Germany, the USA, the UK, and Ireland posted between mid-March and mid-April 2020. RESULTS: An analysis of the content of 230 main posts revealed three major themes: (1) concerns related to the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, the risks and fears of getting infected, logistic issues, and economic impact; (2) adaptation challenges faced at the individual and societal level; and (3) the need for advice including information about COVID-19 and the (self-)management of cancer symptoms and treatment. CONCLUSION: Our qualitative description of the experiences of people affected by cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak can help to improve communication, education, and the development of supportive care strategies. Furthermore, the themes and subthemes identified could potentially inform item development for future self-report questionnaires.

[EVIVO program adapted for the labor sector†: a help for managing chronic condition and professional life]. / Adaptation du cours EVIVO au secteur du travail : concilier maladie chronique et vie professionnelle.

EVIVO is a well-established chronic disease self-management program, having been successfully implemented during the last decade in Switzerland. The program has shown positive results in facilitation of self-management competences for patients living with chronic diseases and their relatives. EVIVO was designed to run for 6 weeks with weekly sessions of 2 and a half hour each. We tested the effectiveness of a shortened version of EVIVO, running it over five half days in order to make it more focused for patients who are challenged by managing their chronic illness within the context of their professional life. Participants in the five-session version showed comparable self-efficacy levels compared with those who had attended the standard six-week six-session courses. Overall, the five-session version was well accepted, considered very useful, met the participants' needs and changed their perception of their own expectations towards self-management of their illness.

Le cours EVIVO «â€…Devenir acteur de sa santé avec une maladie chronique ¼ a été implémenté en Suisse et s'est montré utile pour aider les personnes concernées et/ou leurs proches à renforcer leurs capacités à gérer la maladie et vivre le quotidien de manière plus positive. Structuré sur 6 semaines à raison d'une session de 2 h 30 par semaine, il a été reformaté sur 5 demi-journées afin d'être implémenté dans le monde du travail. L'évaluation d'EVIVO sur 5 sessions montre des résultats comparables dans l'évolution du sentiment d'autoefficacité comparable au cours sur 6 sessions. De plus, la version en 5 sessions ciblant les enjeux liés au travail s'est globalement révélée acceptable, utile et répondant aux besoins des participant·e·s qui ont exprimé avoir changé leurs attentes envers l'autogestion de leur maladie.

[Cancer center clinical nurse: The experience of the CHUV Prostate Cancer Center]. / Infirmière clinicienne de centre du cancer : l'expérience du Centre de la prostate du CHUV.

The University Hospital of Lausanne has heavily invested in the development of interdisciplinary oncology centers to improve the quality of care, and structure research and training. By integrating specialist nurses, it follows international recommendations. These specialists' nurses rephrase the information given by the doctor and ensure patients' understanding. They assess the patient's psychosocial situation and provides guidance if necessary. They support the patient in making informed choices about treatment and coping strategies. In addition to the outpatient clinics planned in accordance with the care pathway, she can be contacted between appointments to answer questions or concerns of any kind. This article shows the added value of these nurses in the care of oncology patients.

Le CHUV s'est fortement investi dans le développement de centres interdisciplinaires en oncologie afin d'améliorer la qualité de la prise en charge, de structurer la recherche et la formation. En y intégrant des infirmières cliniciennes, il suit les recommandations internationales. Ces infirmières reprennent les informations données par le médecin et s'assurent de la compréhension du patient. Elles évaluent sa situation psychosociale et l'orientent au besoin. Elles soutiennent le patient dans ses choix de traitement ainsi que dans ses stratégies d'adaptation. Outre les entretiens planifiés en fonction du parcours de soins, elles sont joignables entre les rendez-vous pour répondre à des questions ou préoccupations de tout ordre. Cet article montre la plus-value que la présence de ces infirmières offre à la prise en charge des patients oncologiques.

[Telephone follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients at the Oncology Department of Lausanne University Hospital]. / Suivi téléphonique des patients testés positifs au SARS-CoV-2 au Département d'oncologie du CHUV.

Compared with the general population, oncology patients face a higher morbidity and mortality caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, health systems had to quickly adapt cancer care in order to maintain the best quality and patient safety. From March to May and from October to December 2020, 254 patients diagnosed with cancer and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 benefited from a tele-health monitoring at the Oncology Department at CHUV. This article describes the key points of the development, implementation and operation of this tele-health monitoring, enabled by an interdisciplinary and inter-professional collaboration between different units and healthcare professionals.

En comparaison de la population générale, les patients oncologiques font face à une augmentation de leur morbimortalité en lien avec la pandémie de Covid-19. Par conséquent, les systèmes de santé ont dû s'adapter rapidement dans ce contexte instable afin de poursuivre des soins de qualité tout en assurant la sécurité des patients. De mars à mai ainsi que d'octobre à décembre 2020, un total de 254 patients oncologiques testés positifs au SARS-CoV-2 ont bénéficié d'un suivi téléphonique au Département d'oncologie du CHUV. Cet article décrit les points clés de l'implantation et du fonctionnement de ce télésuivi, grâce à la collaboration entre différentes unités et une équipe interprofessionnelle.

Computer-assisted textual analysis of free-text comments in the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences (SCAPE) survey.

BACKGROUND: Patient experience surveys are increasingly conducted in cancer care as they provide important results to consider in future development of cancer care and health policymaking. These surveys usually include closed-ended questions (patient-reported experience measures (PREMs)) and space for free-text comments, but published results are mostly based on PREMs. We aimed to identify the underlying themes of patients' experiences as shared in their own words in the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences (SCAPE) survey and compare these themes with those assessed with PREMs to investigate how the textual analysis of free-text comments contributes to the understanding of patients' experiences of care. METHODS: SCAPE is a multicenter cross-sectional survey that was conducted between October 2018 and March 2019 in French-speaking parts of Switzerland. Patients were invited to rate their care in 65 closed-ended questions (PREMs) and to add free-text comments regarding their cancer-related experiences at the end of the survey. We conducted computer-assisted textual analysis using the IRaMuTeQ software on the comments provided by 31% (n = 844) of SCAPE survey respondents (n = 2755). RESULTS: We identified five main thematic classes, two of which consisting of a detailed description of 'cancer care pathways'. The remaining three classes were related to 'medical care', 'gratitude and praise', and the way patients lived with cancer ('cancer and me'). Further analysis of this last class showed that patients' comments related to the following themes: 'initial shock', 'loneliness', 'understanding and acceptance', 'cancer repercussions', and 'information and communication'. While closed-ended questions related mainly to factual aspects of experiences of care, free-text comments related primarily to the personal and emotional experiences and consequences of having cancer and receiving care. CONCLUSIONS: A computer-assisted textual analysis of free-text in our patient survey allowed a time-efficient classification of free-text data that provided insights on the personal experience of living with cancer and additional information on patient experiences that had not been collected with the closed-ended questions, underlining the importance of offering space for comments. Such results can be useful to inform questionnaire development, provide feedback to professional teams, and guide patient-centered initiatives to improve the quality and safety of cancer care.

[Breast cancer: perspectives from integrative medicine]. / Cancer du sein: perspectives de médecine intégrative.

Integrative medicine combines the virtues of conventional medicine and complementary medicine in order to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from cancer. Thanks to a multidisciplinary and multi-professional team, the Center for integrative and complementary medicine (CEMIC) allows since 2017 cancer patients at CHUV to have access to certain therapies, for which there are sufficient data suggesting a benefit in terms of quality of life. The concepts of tolerance, safety, risk of interactions and potential adverse biological effects remain central. In this article, we discuss acupuncture, art therapy, mindfulness and some natural therapies that are encountered regularly.

La médecine intégrative propose aux patients touchés par le cancer une combinaison des soins offerts par la médecine conventionnelle et la médecine complémentaire avec comme objectif l'amélioration de la qualité de vie des patients. Grâce à des équipes multidisciplinaires et multiprofessionnelles, le Centre de médecine intégrative et complémentaire (CEMIC) permet depuis 2017 aux patients oncologiques du CHUV d'avoir accès à certaines thérapies pour lesquelles il existe des données suggérant un bénéfice en termes de qualité de vie. Les notions de tolérance aux traitements, de sécurité, de risque d'interactions et d'éventuels effets biologiques non souhaités restent centrales. Dans cet article, nous discutons de l'acupuncture, de l'art-thérapie, de la méditation et de certaines substances et thérapies naturelles rencontrées régulièrement.

Selbstmanagement bei Krebstherapien fördern: Das Symptom-Navi-Programm.

Support self-management of symptoms in cancer therapies:The Symptom-Navi-Program Abstract. Background: Cancer patients experience a variety of symptoms associated with their disease and treatment. Many patients express uncertainty how to self-manage these symptoms. We developed the Symptom-Navi-Program (SNP) to support cancer patients' symptom self-management. The SNP comprises concise information leaflets, Symptom-Navi-Flyers (SNF), with content tailored to the needs of patients and nurse-led semi-structured consultations. AIM: The aim of the study was to to explore if patients experienced with the SNP with a focus on the perceived usefulness. METHOD: In a qualitative study, we conducted ten semi-structured interviews with cancer patients undergoing treatment. The interviews conduct and data analysis was based on thematic analysis as defined by 1-2Braun and Clarke (2006). RESULTS: Overall, patients described the SNP as a helpful facilitator for their self-management of symptoms. They highlighted its usefulness in an emotionally challenging situation. Nurse-led education and SNF tailored to the individual situation were experienced as self-management empowering elements. Consequently, patients experienced to know and have more choices in their symptom management strategies. Patients also described to use SNF to inform their relatives. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experience the SNP as a promising tool to facilitate their symptom self-management. Its implementation in clinical practice will now be further evaluated.

Interprofessional, psycho-social intervention to facilitate resilience and reduce supportive care needs for patients with cancer: Results of a noncomparative, randomized phase II trial.

OBJECTIVE: We developed 2 intensity levels of a complex intervention for interprofessional supportive care in cancer (IPSC-C) to facilitate resilience and reduce unmet supportive care needs. We aimed to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of both intensity levels in routine practice. METHODS: In a randomized, noncomparative phase II trial, newly diagnosed patients received either low (LI-IPSC-C) or high (HI-IPSC-C) intensity interventions. Low-intensity-interprofessional supportive care in cancer (LI-IPSC-C) consisted of 3 electronic assessments of resilience, unmet supportive care needs, mood, and coping effort over 16 weeks with an immediate feedback to clinicians including tailored intervention recommendations to facilitate resilience and supportive care. High-intensity-interprofessional supportive care in cancer (HI-IPSC-C) added 5 structured consultations (face-to-face and telephone) provided by specialized nurses. Primary outcome was a change ≥5 in resilience score on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Secondary outcomes were unmet supportive care needs, mood, and coping effort. We assessed feasibility by clinician-provided tailored interventions as recommended and acceptability through qualitative interviews with clinicians and patients. RESULTS: In the LI-IPSC-C arm, 11 of 41, in the HI-IPSC-C arm 17 of 43, patients increased resilience scores by ≥5. Relatively more patients decreased unmet needs in HI-IPSC-C arm. Mood, in both arms, and coping effort, in HI-IPSC-C arm, improved meaningfully. Feasibility was limited for the LI-IPSC-C arm, mainly due to lack of time; acceptability was high in both arms. CONCLUSION: Neither LI-IPSC-C nor HI-IPSC-C interventions reached the desired threshold. HI-IPSC-C showed positive effects on secondary outcomes and was feasible. Resilience as measured by the CD-RISC may not be the optimal outcome measure for this intervention.