European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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Despite decision-making featuring throughout the trajectory of cancer care, children's participation in decision-making remains an area much under-researched and complicated by conflicting opinions. This study explored children's participation in shared decision-making (SDM) from multiple perspectives from one haematology/oncology unit in Ireland. ⋯ Healthcare professionals and parents controlled the process of SDM and the children's accounts revealed that they held a minimal role. Children appeared content that adults held responsibility for the major treatment decisions. However, they desired and valued receiving information, voicing their preferences and choosing how treatments were administered to them.
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Companions often accompany patients to cancer consultations. The number of questions asked by patients and companions is an indicator of their active participation. The present study aims to provide first descriptive evidence on the characteristics of unaccompanied and accompanied Italian breast cancer patients that attend the first consultation after surgery and to analyse companions contribution to the type and quantity of questions asked during the consultation. ⋯ Accompanied and non accompanied patients differed more in socio-demographic than clinical characteristics. Companions sustained the patient and shared information without reducing the level of patient involvement.
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The overall aim of the project was to update and inform nurses of current best practice based on previously published literature to enable nurses to assess and manage breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) and thereby to provide optimal management of BTCP. ⋯ By implementing the EONS guidelines nurses will utilise the latest available knowledge in clinical practice and the understanding and management of BTCP will improve assessment and overall management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients.
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This study aimed to investigate validity of a newly developed Morbidity Screening Tool (MST) to screen for fatigue, pain, swelling (lymphedema) and arm function after breast cancer treatment. ⋯ Analysis supports the validity of all four short-forms of the MST as providing indications of both presence of morbidity and impacts on participants' lives. This may facilitate early and appropriate referral for intervention.
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The aim of this study was to illuminate the development of standardisation of relatives' participation at the time of death in the Palliative Medical Unit and to explore if the implementation of standardisation brought palliative care more in line with its ideology. ⋯ Important premises for successful standardisation are fostering Palliative Medical Unit nurses' knowledge about various aspects of pre and post-mortem care through regular evaluation and an educational programme providing staff with necessary time, awareness and skills. In addition nurses also require sufficient amount of time in the clinic.