European journal of cancer care
-
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Sep 2004
Barriers to effective cancer pain management: a survey of Australian family caregivers.
Cancer pain continues to be an important focus of health research and intervention development. The continuing shift of cancer care to the community increases the family caregiver's role in pain management and highlights the need to understand family experiences and also family barriers to effective pain management. ⋯ Caregivers demonstrated similar levels of concern about side-effects or whether the presence of pain indicated disease progression. These findings support research in other populations and are further evidence of the need to include family caregivers, along with patients, in intervention studies aimed at reducing the impact of these barriers on effective pain management.
-
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Sep 2004
How can experiences of patients and carers influence the clinical care of large bowel cancer?
A qualitative project was designed to investigate the care of large bowel cancer from patients' and carers' perspectives using semi-structured interviews; tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed; to identify recurrent themes. Forty-nine patients treated surgically for bowel cancer from three hospital trusts in West Surrey were visited at home, and eight of their carers attended a focus group from a choice of three geographical locations. Five main themes identified: experience of symptoms; general practitioner (GP) management; impact of diagnosis; perceptions of clinical care and treatment; information needs. ⋯ The public needs more accessible information about the symptoms and signs of bowel cancer. Referral to multiprofessional bowel cancer teams is essential to provide appropriate support and clear information from the time of diagnosis throughout the care pathway. Recommended strategies for improving clinical care are outlined.
-
The objective of this study was to clarify the term 'palliative' in clinical oncology. A qualitative study design with in-depth interviews was applied. The study sample included 30 cancer patients and 16 physicians. ⋯ Furthermore, the fact that the same anticancer treatments can be given to patients with palliative or curative intention is confusing. The distinction between curative and palliative oncological treatments is of crucial importance for the treatment decision-making process. Close consideration of the use of the term 'palliative' will help to clarify the various goals of treatment and care in oncological practice.
-
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Jul 2004
Cancer patients' experiences of care related to pain management before and after palliative care referral.
Pain is the main problem for patients with cancer referred to palliative care (PC). Pain management in PC requires a multidimensional approach. A questionnaire was used to determine cancer patients' experiences of care related to pain management, before and after being referred to PC, and to also discover possible correlations between pain control and other aspects of care. ⋯ The conclusion is that care provided in PC is vital to successful pain management. Pain control depends not only on analgesics but also on many other aspects of care provided by the nurse. Continuity of care and the opportunity to talk increases the patients' feeling of security, which is also of utmost importance to successful pain management.
-
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · May 2004
The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: an examination into the cultural validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30.
The Turkish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire version 2.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30 v.2.0) has started to be used in clinical trials recently. The objective of the study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 v.2.0 and the correlation between the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and the EORTC QLQ-C30. Two hundred and two lung cancer patients were included in the study between January and March 2000. ⋯ The coefficients for the correlation between the items differed between 0.12 and 0.97 and all the subscales were strongly correlated with the scales which they formed. The highest correlation between the EORTC QLQ-C30 and KPS was for physical functioning (r = 0.62, P < 0.05). The Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is a valid (by means of interscales validity) and reliable instrument for Turkish lung cancer patients and can be used in clinical studies but needs supporting by the reference data on the QOL of the Turkish population.