Search

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Since patients with primary brain tumor are expected to become long-term survivors, the prevention of long-term treatment-induced side effects is particularly important. This study aimed to explore whether symptom experience and symptom distress change over five years in adults with primary brain tumors treated with proton therapy. An additional aim was to explore whether symptom experience and symptom distress correlate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study had a longitudinal observational design. Adult (≥18 years) patients (n = 170) with primary brain tumors treated with proton therapy were followed over five years. Symptom experience and symptom distress were evaluated using the patient-reported Radiotherapy-Related Symptom Assessment Scale. Data from baseline, 1, 12, and 60 months were analyzed using non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Of the 170 patients, the levels of symptoms and symptom distress were low. Fatigue increased at 1 (p=0.005) and 12 months (p=0.025) and was the most frequent symptom from baseline to 60 months' follow-up. Cognitive impairment increased at 12 (p=0.027) and 60 months (p<0.001) and was the most distressing symptom at 60 months' follow-up. There were significant, moderate to strong, correlations at all time points between symptom experience and symptom distress of fatigue, insomnia, pain, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, worry, anxiety, nausea, sadness, constipation, and skin reactions. CONCLUSION: Symptom experience and symptom distress changed in intensity over time with cognitive impairment as the most distressing symptom at 60 months. Future research should focus on identifying effective interventions aimed at alleviating these symptoms and reducing symptom distress for this vulnerable group of patients.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: This scoping review aimed to explore symptom clusters (SCs) in patients with lung cancer and how included symptoms and symptom dimensions are measured. LITERATURE SEARCH: PubMed®, CINAHL®, Scopus®, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published until December 31, 2021. Fifty-three articles were included. DATA EVALUATION: Data extracted included descriptive items and SC constellations. Patient-reported outcome instruments and measured symptom dimensions were described according to the middle-range theory of unpleasant symptoms. SYNTHESIS: 13 articles investigated SCs a priori and 40 de novo. Thirty-six instruments were used, mostly measuring intensity alone or in combination with timing. Qualitative articles (n = 6) provided rich descriptions within the distress, timing, and quality dimensions. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Fatigue was the symptom found to most frequently co-occur with other symptoms in SCs. Fatigue, psychological symptoms, and nutritional aspects are emphasized as important areas for oncology nursing practice and further research to improve SC management for patients with lung cancer.

Background: Skin reaction is a common side-effect of radiotherapy and often only assessed as clinician-reported outcome (CRO). The aim was to examine and compare patient-reported outcome (PRO) of skin reactions with CRO for signs of acute skin reactions for patients with primary brain tumour receiving proton beam radiotherapy (PBT). A further aim was to explore patients' experiences of the skin reactions. Methods: Acute skin reactions were assessed one week after start of treatment, mid-treatment and end of treatment among 253 patients with primary brain tumour who underwent PBT. PRO skin reactions were assessed with the RSAS and CRO according to the RTOG scale. Fleiss' kappa was performed to measure the inter-rater agreement of the assessments of skin reactions. Results: The results showed a discrepancy between PRO and CRO acute skin reactions. Radiation dose was associated with increased skin reactions, but no correlations were seen for age, gender, education, occupation, other treatment or smoking. There was a poor agreement between patients and clinicians (κ = -0.016) one week after the start of PBT, poor (κ = -0.045) to (κ = 0.396) moderate agreement at mid treatment and poor (κ = -0.010) to (κ = 0.296) moderate agreement at end of treatment. Generally, patients' symptom distress toward skin reactions was low at all time points. Conclusion: The poor agreement between PRO and CRO shows that the patient needs to be involved in assessments of skin reactions for a more complete understanding of skin reactions due to PBT. This may also improve patient experience regarding involvement in their own care.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no available tool easily and effectively measures both the frequency, intensity and distress of symptoms among patients receiving radiotherapy. A core symptom set (fatigue, insomnia, pain, appetite loss, cognitive problems, anxiety, nausea, depression, constipation, diarrhoea and skin reaction) has been identified and assessed across oncology research to better understand the pattern of symptoms and treatment side effects. AIM: The aim was to develop a tool measuring the multiple-symptom experience in patients undergoing radiotherapy and evaluate its psychometric properties (validity, reliability and responsiveness). DESIGN: This study has a prospective, longitudinal and quantitative design. METHODS: We developed a patient-reported outcome questionnaire, the Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale to assess the frequency, intensity and distress associated with symptoms. Patients (n = 175) with brain tumours undergoing proton beam therapy completed the Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale and the health-related quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) during treatment. We assessed the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale and evaluated the validity against QLQ-C30. RESULTS: There were significant questionnaire-questionnaire correlations regarding selected items, primarily fatigue, insomnia and pain, indicating satisfactory criterion-related validity. The Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale had fair to good retest reliability. CONCLUSION: The Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale is a valid instrument for assessing symptom intensity and distress in patients with brain tumour undergoing PBT, with psychometric properties within the expected range. The Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale provides nurses with substantial information on symptom experience but requires little effort from the patient. Additional studies are required to further

Background: Proton beam therapy (PBT) is increasingly administered to patients with primary brain tumors. Benefits of new treatments must be weighed against side effects and possible deterioration in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to describe and compare HRQoL, including acute symptom experiences and associated factors, in patients with malignant and benign brain tumors treated with PBT. Materials and Methods: Adult PBT-treated patients with primary brain tumors (n = 266) were studied. HRQoL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BN20, HADS, ISI and MFI before, during and three months after treatment. Associations with demographic and medical factors were explored. Results: Between baseline and three months post-treatment: HRQoL decreased significantly in the global health/QOL domains physical functioning, role functioning and cognitive functioning in the malignant group, global health/QOL and physical functioning decreased significantly in the benign group, more comorbidity was significantly associated with increased motor dysfunction, leg weakness, headache and future uncertainty. Fatigue and depression were the most frequent symptoms in both groups. Independent predictors of risk factor recognition were age, sex, chemotherapy, comorbidity and education level. Discussion: Global health/QOL in patient with brain tumors is very complex and multidimensional. Symptoms are interrelated and related to patient, tumor and treatment factors. It is important to identify aspects of HRQoL that may be affected by treatment. These include both benefits, expected to improve HRQoL, and negative changes such as symptom experience and influencing factors. Evidence-based guidelines are needed for symptom management, and for high quality of care for patients experiencing low PBT-related HRQoL.

Aim: To illuminate the experience of an altered social context for patients with primary brain tumours living away from home while undergoing proton beam therapy. Design: A descriptive, qualitative cross‐sectional interview study. Methods: Nineteen patients were interviewed between December 2015–August 2016, either during (N = 7) or before and after (N = 12) their proton beam therapy. A hermeneutical analysis was performed. Results: Participants made adjustments to achieve control and well‐being during the treatment period. The analysis also revealed two interrelated patterns that helped participants adjust: being part of the family from a distance and seeking affinity. Conclusion: It is important that patients receiving treatment far from home find a way to remain a part of their family and find affinity in the altered social context. Health professionals can prepare patients for the treatment period and can implement interventions to promote well‐being for both patients and their relatives.

Background: Currently, no available tool easily and effectively measures both the frequency, intensity and distress of symptoms among patients receiving radiotherapy. A core symptom set (fatigue, insomnia, pain, appetite loss, cognitive problems, anxiety, nausea, depression, constipation, diarrhoea and skin reaction) has been identified and assessed across oncology research to better understand the pattern of symptoms and treatment side effects. Aim: The aim was to develop a tool measuring the multiple‐symptom experience in patients undergoing radiotherapy and evaluate its psychometric properties (validity, reliability and responsiveness). Design: This study has a prospective, longitudinal and quantitative design. Methods: We developed a patient‐reported outcome questionnaire, the Radiotherapy‐Related Symptoms Assessment Scale to assess the frequency, intensity and distress associated with symptoms. Patients (n = 175) with brain tumours undergoing proton beam therapy completed the Radiotherapy‐Related Symptoms Assessment Scale and the health‐related quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30) during treatment. We assessed the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Radiotherapy‐Related Symptoms Assessment Scale and evaluated the validity against QLQ‐C30. Results: There were significant questionnaire–questionnaire correlations regarding selected items, primarily fatigue, insomnia and pain, indicating satisfactory criterion‐related validity. The Radiotherapy‐Related Symptoms Assessment Scale had fair to good retest reliability. Conclusion: The Radiotherapy‐Related Symptoms Assessment Scale is a valid instrument for assessing symptom intensity and distress in patients with brain tumour undergoing PBT, with psychometric properties within the expected range. The Radiotherapy‐Related Symptoms Assessment Scale provides nurses with substantial information on symptom experience but requires little effort from the patient. Additional studies are required to further

The aim of this study was to examine children who grew up with one or two parents who had addiction problems during their childhood. This study was done to get an understanding of what children of addiction did to move on in life with different approaches, strategies, roles and what kind of team they used. Also what meaning the authors attachment to their parents during their childhood meant. A qualitative method has been used and the method is based on three autobiographical books written by Swedish authors who grew up with parents who had addiction problems. These authors illustrated what it was in their upbringing that made them to break a social heritage, different approaches, strategies, roles and what kind of team they made in order to move on in life. The empirical material was analyzed using the Attachment theory by Bowlby and Goffman’s Dramaturgical theory. We found that there are several contributing factors to the children in the autobiographical books that made them break a social heritage. It was important that the children got the care and nursing from their parents, good relationships with other people in their surroundings, activities outside the home and to take responsibility for themselves and others. The conclusion that was made from this study was that children that lives with parents of addiction are strong individuals that can handle a lot themselves with a little support from their environment. Societies support did not show to be a contributing factor for the children to be able to break a social heritage since this support were not described in the different autobiographical books.

Klinisk omvårdnad del 1 och 2 tydliggör vilka konsekvenser olika sjukdomar och skador har för patienten. Hur upplever patienten att vara sjuk, hur påverkas hens grundläggande behov och vilka copingstrategier behövs?

OBJECTIVES: To explore symptom clusters during proton beam therapy in patients with primary brain tumors and investigate associations among symptom clusters, demographic variables, and comorbidity in this patient population. SAMPLE & SETTING: Data were collected from 187 adult patients with primary brain tumors during their treatment periods in the Skandion Clinic in Uppsala, Sweden. Symptoms were assessed with the Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale, and comorbidity was evaluated with the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. METHODS & VARIABLES: The study used a quantitative and longitudinal design. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the underlying structure of symptom clusters. RESULTS: Three clusters were identified: mood, reduced appetite, and reduced energy. The mood cluster had the highest factor loadings (0.71-0.86). In addition, demographic and comorbidity characteristics were associated with symptom clusters in this group of patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Building knowledge about how these symptoms interact and are clustered will support healthcare professionals to more efficiently relieve symptom clusters during proton beam therapy.

Introduction: A hybrid operating room (OR) is a surgical OR with integrated imaging equipment and the possibility to serve both open surgery and image-guided interventions. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the work processes and types of collaboration in a hybrid OR during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Methods: Data consisted of video recordings from nine procedures, with a total recording time of 48 hrs 39 mins. The procedures were divided into four episodes (Acts). A qualitative cross-case analysis was conducted, resulting in a typical case. The type of collaboration during specific tasks was discussed and determined based on Thylefors´ team typology. Results: An extensive amount of safety activities occurred in the preparation phase (Acts 1 and 2), involving a number of staff categories. After the skin incision (Act 3), the main activities were performed by fewer staff categories, while some persons had a standby position and there were persons who were not at all involved in the procedure. Discussion: The different specialist staff in the hybrid OR worked through different types of collaboration: multi-, inter- and transprofessional. The level of needed collaboration depended on the activity performed, but it was largely multiprofessional and took place largely in separate groups of specialties: anesthesiology, surgery and radiology. Waiting time and overlapping tasks indicate that the procedures could be more efficient and safe for the patient. Conclusion: This study highlights that the three expertise specialties were required for safe treatment in the hybrid OR, but the extent of interprofessional activities was limited. Our results provide a basis for the development of more effective procedures with closer and more efficient interprofessional collaboration and reduction of overlapping roles. Considerable waiting times, traffic flow and presence of people who were not involved in the patient care are areas of further investigation.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate team composition and staff roles in a hybrid operating room during endovascular aortic repairs. Design: Quantitative descriptive design. Methods: Nine endovascular aortic repairs procedures were video-recorded between December 2014 and September 2015. The data analysis involved examining the work process, number of people in the room and categories of staff and their involvement in the procedure. Results: The procedures were divided into four phases. The hybrid operating room was most crowded in phase 3 when the skin wound was open. Some staff categories were in the room for the entire procedure even if they were not actively involved. The largest number of people simultaneously in the room was 14.