Psycho-oncology
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No population-based studies conducted outside Western countries have identified determinants of hospice utilization for all ages and cancer groups. ⋯ Despite the 1.33 times increase in hospice utilization among cancer patients who died from 2001 to 2006, only one in six Taiwanese cancer decedents used hospice care in their last year of life. Our findings regarding determinants of hospice utilization should be used by healthcare professionals and policy makers to guide the development of policies and interventions that facilitate prognosis disclosure and EOL care discussions between physicians and patients, especially younger patients, to help the transition from curative to palliative care.
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Arm morbidity post-breast cancer surgery is increasingly being recognized as a chronic problem for some women following breast cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic, disease, and treatment-related predictors of a comprehensive array of chronic arm morbidity (pain, lymphedema, functional disability, and range of motion) post-breast cancer surgery. ⋯ Comprehensive behavioral management and rehabilitation programs are needed to treat arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery. These programs should address the full scope of symptoms and associated psychosocial and functional sequelae.
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Emotional burden on oncology care workers is considerable. These workers develop confidential relationship with the patient through interpersonal communication, which entails managing their own emotions as well as the emotions displayed by their patients, and it involves a great deal of emotion work. The objectives in our study were to assess the prevalence of burnout and emotional dissonance and to investigate the interrelationship among burnout, emotion work and coping in oncology care. ⋯ In order to devise effective interventions to oncology personnel, we need to focus on the interaction between the carer and the cancer patient and have more evidence on emotional dissonance in oncology staff.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
The association of depression and anxiety with health-related quality of life in cancer patients with depression and/or pain.
Depression is known to be a major problem in cancer patients, and evidence is emerging about the importance of anxiety. Because the disorders are highly comorbid, we examined the relationship of anxiety and depression with health-related quality of life (HRQL) in cancer patients. ⋯ Anxiety and depression have strong and independent associations with mental health domains and somatic symptom burden in cancer patients. However, depression has a more pervasive association with multiple other domains of HRQL. Paying attention to both anxiety and depression may be particularly important when addressing mental health needs and somatic symptom distress.