PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore healthcare professionals' experience, understanding, and perception of the needs of patients with cachexia in advanced cancer. RESEARCH APPROACH: A qualitative approach based on symbolic interactionism. SETTING: A regional cancer center in a large teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 34 healthcare professionals who had experience providing care to patients with cachexia in advanced cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Data collection consisted of two phases: focus group and semistructured interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. This article reports on findings from the second phase of data collection. FINDINGS: Analysis revealed that professional approaches to cachexia were influenced by three overarching and interthinking themes: knowledge, culture, and resources. Healthcare professionals commonly recognized the impact of the syndrome; however, for nonpalliative healthcare professionals, a culture of avoidance and an overreliance on the biomedical model of care had considerable influence on the management of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Cachexia management in patients with advanced cancer can be difficult and is directed by a variable combination of the influence of knowledge, culture of the clinical area, and available resources. Distinct differences exist in the management of cachexia among palliative and nonpalliative care professionals. INTERPRETATION: This study presented a multiprofessional perspective on the management of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer and revealed that cachexia is a complex and challenging syndrome that needs to be addressed from a holistic model of care. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Cachexia management in patients with advanced cancer is complex and challenging and is directed by a combination of variables. An overreliance on the biomedical model of health and illness occurs in the management of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. Cachexia needs to be addressed from a holistic model of care to reflect the multidimensional needs of patients and their families.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore healthcare professionals' experience, understanding, and perception of the needs of patients with cachexia in advanced cancer. RESEARCH APPROACH: A qualitative approach based on symbolic interactionism. SETTING: A regional cancer center in a large teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: 34 healthcare professionals who had experience providing care to patients with cachexia in advanced cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Data collection consisted of two phases: focus group and semistructured interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. This article reports on findings from the second phase of data collection. FINDINGS: Analysis revealed that professional approaches to cachexia were influenced by three overarching and interthinking themes: knowledge, culture, and resources. Healthcare professionals commonly recognized the impact of the syndrome; however, for nonpalliative healthcare professionals, a culture of avoidance and an overreliance on the biomedical model of care had considerable influence on the management of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. CONCLUSIONS:Cachexia management in patients with advanced cancer can be difficult and is directed by a variable combination of the influence of knowledge, culture of the clinical area, and available resources. Distinct differences exist in the management of cachexia among palliative and nonpalliative care professionals. INTERPRETATION: This study presented a multiprofessional perspective on the management of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer and revealed that cachexia is a complex and challenging syndrome that needs to be addressed from a holistic model of care. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Cachexia management in patients with advanced cancer is complex and challenging and is directed by a combination of variables. An overreliance on the biomedical model of health and illness occurs in the management of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. Cachexia needs to be addressed from a holistic model of care to reflect the multidimensional needs of patients and their families.
Authors: Ola Magne Vagnildhaug; Trude Rakel Balstad; Sigrun Saur Almberg; Cinzia Brunelli; Anne Kari Knudsen; Stein Kaasa; Morten Thronæs; Barry Laird; Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2017-12-22 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Ola Magne Vagnildhaug; David Blum; Andrew Wilcock; Peter Fayers; Florian Strasser; Vickie E Baracos; Marianne J Hjermstad; Stein Kaasa; Barry Laird; Tora S Solheim Journal: J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle Date: 2017-06-18 Impact factor: 12.910
Authors: Stefan Rauh; Andrea Antonuzzo; Paolo Bossi; Robert Eckert; Marie Fallon; Anna Fröbe; Silvia Gonella; Raffaele Giusti; Gabor Lakatos; Daniele Santini; Anna Villarini Journal: ESMO Open Date: 2018-05-05