Psycho-oncology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The ToT study: helping with Touch or Talk (ToT): a pilot randomised controlled trial to examine the clinical effectiveness of aromatherapy massage versus cognitive behaviour therapy for emotional distress in patients in cancer/palliative care.
Distress associated with cancer often presents with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective psychological treatments. Complementary therapies, especially aromatherapy massage (AM), are also popular and alleviate anxiety. No studies have directly compared these two treatments. ⋯ Recruitment was feasible; the interventions acceptable and engagement with treatment was high. Improvements with both interventions were observed. The beneficial effects on depression with CBT appeared to be sustained.
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Given the increasing numbers of immigrant families in Canada, it is imperative that healthcare providers (HCPs) understand the caregiving experiences of immigrant family caregivers. Our study aimed to explore any special challenges faced by immigrant parents of children with cancer and to identify supportive factors. ⋯ Our study addresses an important gap in the research literature by providing practical insight into the experiences of immigrant family caregivers. Our findings may help to inform the development of pediatric oncology policies and programs in ways that respond to the unique needs and challenges of culturally and linguistically diverse families.
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To assess the impact of the systematic use of the Palliative Care Needs Assessment Guidelines and Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease-Cancer (NAT: PD-C) on clinical assessment, response and service utilisation. ⋯ The NAT: PD-C is an efficient and acceptable strategy for supporting needs-based cancer care that can potentially be incorporated into standard routine care without increasing the burden on care providers.
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Migrant patients comprise a significant proportion of Western oncologists' clientele. Although previous research has found that barriers exist in the communication between ethnically diverse patients and health professionals, little is known about their personal preferences for communication and information, or the concordance of views held between patients and family members. ⋯ Many of the communication issues facing patients in the metastatic cancer setting are shared amongst Anglo-Australian and migrant patients alike. Understanding the dynamics within migrant families is also an important component in providing culturally sensitive communication. Future directions for research are provided.
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Multicenter Study
Addressing the religious and spiritual needs of dying patients by healthcare staff in Korea: patient perspectives in a multi-religious Asian country.
We investigated how patients' spiritual and religious needs are addressed by healthcare staff in inpatient palliative care centers in Korea, a multi-religious country. ⋯ Although patients whose spiritual and religious needs were addressed by healthcare staff showed significantly better QoL, such needs were not addressed in a significant proportion of patients, especially those who were not religious or were admitted to non-religious palliative care centers. Strategies should be developed to ensure that spiritual care is provided to all patients with terminal cancer, regardless of the religious background of the patient.