European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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Comparative Study
Quality of life and symptom prevalence as reported by children with cancer in Lebanon.
To date, there are no studies on quality of life (QoL) and symptom prevalence reported by pediatric oncology patients in Lebanon. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the QoL, symptom prevalence and symptom management among a sample of pediatric oncology patients. ⋯ Overall, the participants had good health-related QoL as indicated by most of the PedsQL subscales. Symptom management was found to be inadequate and in some cases ineffective. More attention should be given to the management of symptoms in general using pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques. Of particular importance is the importance of providing psychological support to alleviate symptom burden and improve QoL.
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Comparative Study
Variability in management of implantable ports in oncology outpatients.
To describe the variability in practice regarding the management of vascular access ports in adult oncology patients at Spanish outpatient clinics and to evaluate its compliance with the recommended procedural guidelines. ⋯ There are considerable differences in the management of the vascular access ports in terms of the recommendations published in the main international guidelines, though these are based on low level evidence. The results highlight the need for further quality studies in ports use and manipulation to lessen the variability between published recommendations and clinical practice.
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Comparative Study
Structure and content in consultations with patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.
To explore the structure and content of pre-planned consultations as part of the care and treatment of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. ⋯ There is a need for clearer structure in the consultations. Most consultations lacked a clear introduction to the subject of the conversation. The study makes it possible to develop methods and structure for supporting conversations in which the patient is given space to help with the difficult issues present after undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. The study also contributes to providing knowledge of how to organise surgical consultations in order to optimise person-centeredness, teamwork and clinical efficiency.
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The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Functional Assessment of Chronic illness Therapy-Lymphoma (FACT-Lym) instruments (Greek version) in patients with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy, as well as the comparative evaluation of the questionnaires themselves. ⋯ The Greek versions of FACT-Lym and QLQ-C30 appear to be reliable and valid tools for assessing HRQoL in this category of patients. The two disease-specific QoL instruments complement each other and neither can be replaced by the other.
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The aim of this study was to describe young adults' own perspectives on the experience of having a parent who developed cancer when the young adult was an adolescent. ⋯ If all family members are given the same information, it becomes easier to talk about what is happening. This can reduce adolescent children's experience of loneliness. Contact with health care professionals should be maintained throughout the period of illness. Many short informal contacts create relationships and trust that can be helpful if the worst happens and the parent dies.