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Young adults (YAs), defined as individuals between the ages of 18 and 39 years, experience unique challenges when diagnosed with advanced cancer. Using the social constructivist grounded theory approach, we aimed to develop a theoretical understanding of how YAs live day to day with their diagnosis. A sample of 25 YAs (aged 22–39 years) with advanced cancer from across Canada participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings illustrate that the YAs described day-to-day life as an oscillating experience swinging between two opposing disease outcomes: (1) hoping for a cure and (2) facing the possibility of premature death. Oscillating between these potential outcomes was characterized as living in a liminal space wherein participants were unsure how to live from one day to the next. The participants oscillated at various rates, with different factors influencing the rate of oscillation, including inconsistent and poor messaging from their oncologists or treatment team, progression or regression of their cancer, and changes in their physical functioning and mental health. These findings provide a theoretical framework for designing interventions to help YAs adapt to their circumstance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Caregivers of patients with cancer cope with socioemotional challenges, which can adversely affect their well-being. We developed an intervention, expressive writing and reading (EWR), to promote emotional processing and social connectedness among caregivers. In a single-arm pilot study, we assessed its feasibility and perceived usefulness. Methods: Caregivers participated in weekly 1.5-hour EWR workshops offered over 20 weeks. After 4 sessions, they completed semistructured interviews, which were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. Findings: Of 65 caregivers approached, 25 were eligible, 18 consented, and 9 (50%) caregivers completed at least 4 workshops and the interview. Their responses revealed 3 themes: "inner processing," "interpersonal learning," and "enhanced processing and preparedness." Perceived benefits of EWR included emotional and cognitive processing (individual and collaborative), learning from the emotions and experiences of other caregivers, and preparing for upcoming challenges. Conclusions: Expressive writing and reading can be a safe and cost-effective supportive intervention for caregivers of patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cancer care, gaps in support to help patients manage and live with the side-effects from cancer treatments have increased the emphasis on empowering patients to be more active and involved in managing their own health. However, empowerment in relation to promoting self-management behaviors is not well understood. Using the social constructivist grounded theory approach, our goal was to develop a theoretical understanding of this phenomenon in relation to the self-management behaviors of post-treatment cancer patients. Twenty-two post-treatment cancer patients participated in a semi-structured focused interview to co-construct with us how empowerment is defined, described, and experienced in relation to their capacity to self-manage. Through this co-construction, we defined empowerment as a process of personal growth, a display of fortitude and strength when participants confronted the impact of their illness that emerged in two dynamic and paradoxical ways: 1) establishing control over the impact of the illness as a means to maintain normalcy and to circumvent change over an eroding and changing sense of self and 2) relinquishing control over aspects of the illness deemed irrepressible and acknowledging and accepting change. When successful at establishing and/or relinquishing control, participants no longer viewed cancer as a threat, but re-interpreted their illness as also having a beneficial "empowering" experience and more capable of managing. Findings will guide the development of self-management interventions that use empowerment as a core construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-related complex medical conditions have been commonly reported among adolescents and young adults with advanced life-limiting illness. There is increasing interest in exploring their palliative care needs and end-of-life experiences. Aim: This scoping review aimed to explore the available literature about providing palliative and end-of-life care to adolescents and young adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses. Design: Scoping review. This review was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/SPTD7). Data sources: Electronic databases (MEDLINEALL, Embase, Emcare, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial CENTRAL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), Google Scholar and reference lists were searched up to October 2021. We included studies reporting on adolescents and/or young adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses. There were no limitations concerning location, type of illness or study design. Results: We identified 51 studies published between 2002 and 2021. Most studies were published in the United States (n = 34, 67%), and nine studies (18%) reported exclusively on patients with non-malignant illnesses. Two thirds of the identified studies were case reports and retrospective chart reviews (n = 33). Three main topics were identified: Physical symptom burden (n = 26, 51%), Psychological and social needs (n = 33, 65%), and end-of-life care (n = 30, 59%). Twenty-six studies (51%) were focused only on one topic, and the age range used to identify adolescents and young adults varied based on the study location. Conclusion: The findings of this review shed light on the different palliative care experiences and knowledge gaps related to adolescents and young adults as an underserved and vulnerable patient population. Further research needs to be dedicated toward palliative care programs tailored for adolescents and young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical Assistance in Dying comprises interventions that can be provided by medical practitioners to cause death of a person at their request if they meet predefined criteria. In June 2016, Medical Assistance in Dying became legal in Canada, sparking intense debate in the palliative care community. Aim: This study aims to explore the experience of frontline palliative care providers about the impact of Medical Assistance in Dying on palliative care practice. Design: Qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis Settings/participants: We interviewed palliative care physicians and nurses who practiced in settings where patients could access Medical Assistance in Dying for at least 6 months before and after its legalization. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants with diverse personal views and experiences with assisted death. Conceptual saturation was achieved after interviewing 23 palliative care providers (13 physicians and 10 nurses) in Southern Ontario. Results: Themes identified included a new dying experience with assisted death; challenges with symptom control; challenges with communication; impact on palliative care providers personally and on their relationships with patients; and consumption of palliative care resources to support assisted death. Conclusion: Medical Assistance in Dying has had a profound impact on palliative care providers and their practice. Communication training with access to resources for ethical decision-making and a review of legislation may help address new challenges. Further research is needed to understand palliative care provider distress around Medical Assistance in Dying, and additional resources are necessary to support palliative care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resident physicians have been shown to possess negative attitudes toward individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), even if the residents believe they have adequate knowledge and skills to care for these patients. Residents' negative attitudes may have an adverse impact on patient engagement, treatment, and outcomes.Questions/Purposes: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of an online training module on residents' attitudes toward people with SUDs. We hypothesized that residents who received the educational intervention would show improved attitudes toward people with alcohol and opioid use disorders.Methods: A web-based questionnaire, including demographic information and the Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) about individuals with alcohol and opioid use disorders, was sent to internal medicine and psychiatry residents before and 6 months after they took an online training module on stigma toward individuals with SUDs.Results: A total of 46 residents completed the initial questionnaire and 29 completed the follow-up questionnaire 6 months later. Attitudes toward individuals with SUDs, as reflected by an increase in MCRS scores, were improved 6 months after the online training module.Conclusion: Residents' attitudes toward individuals with SUDs improved after taking an online training module. This is encouraging, as studies have shown that attitudes toward individuals with SUDs tend to decline during residency training and negatively affect patient care. Larger studies are needed to determine if such online modules can improve attitudes of other groups of clinicians, result in sustained change over time, and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]