Bojoura Schouten1,2, Johan Hellings1,3, Patrick Vankrunkelsven4,5, Jeroen Mebis1,6, Paul Bulens6, Frank Buntinx4, Dominique Vandijck1,7,8, Elke Van Hoof9. 1. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. 2. Faculty of Psychological and Educational Sciences, Free University of Brussels, Elsene, Belgium. 3. AZ Delta Hospital, 8800, Roeselare, Belgium. 4. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 5. Belgian Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBAM), Leuven, Belgium. 6. Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium. 7. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 8. ICURO, Brussel, Belgium. 9. Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychological and Educational Sciences, Free University of Brussels, Elsene, Belgium.
Abstract
RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: The systematic assessment of cancer patients well-being and care needs is internationally recommended to optimize comprehensive cancer care. The Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES) is a psychometrically robust quality of life and needs assessment tool of US origin, developed in the early 1990s. This article describes Belgian patients' view on the content validity and feasibility of the CARES for use in current cancer care. METHODS: Participants were cancer patients recruited through media. Data were gathered in 4 focus groups (n = 26). The focus group discussions were facilitated with key questions. A moderator and an observer conducted and followed up the discussion. The audio file was transcribed verbatim and afterwards analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Participants experience concerns and needs in a wide range of life domains such as physical, emotional, cognitive, social, relational, sexual, financial, and work-related and in the interaction with care professionals. According to participants, the items of the CARES are all relevant to capture the possible life disruption that cancer patients and survivors experience. One important theme is missing in the CARES, namely, the well-being of loved ones. The completion time of the CARES was judged to be feasible, and according to participants, only a few items need a reformulation. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the results of this study support the content validity and feasibility of the CARES. However, little adjustments in formulation and a few extra items are needed. The instrument can be used to obtain a comprehensive assessment of a cancer patients' overall well-being and care needs to take dedicated action in care.
RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: The systematic assessment of cancer patients well-being and care needs is internationally recommended to optimize comprehensive cancer care. The Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES) is a psychometrically robust quality of life and needs assessment tool of US origin, developed in the early 1990s. This article describes Belgian patients' view on the content validity and feasibility of the CARES for use in current cancer care. METHODS: Participants were cancer patients recruited through media. Data were gathered in 4 focus groups (n = 26). The focus group discussions were facilitated with key questions. A moderator and an observer conducted and followed up the discussion. The audio file was transcribed verbatim and afterwards analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Participants experience concerns and needs in a wide range of life domains such as physical, emotional, cognitive, social, relational, sexual, financial, and work-related and in the interaction with care professionals. According to participants, the items of the CARES are all relevant to capture the possible life disruption that cancer patients and survivors experience. One important theme is missing in the CARES, namely, the well-being of loved ones. The completion time of the CARES was judged to be feasible, and according to participants, only a few items need a reformulation. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the results of this study support the content validity and feasibility of the CARES. However, little adjustments in formulation and a few extra items are needed. The instrument can be used to obtain a comprehensive assessment of a cancer patients' overall well-being and care needs to take dedicated action in care.
Authors: Bojoura Schouten; Dominiek De Jonckheere; Marc Aerts; Jochen Decaestecker; Daan Walgraeve; Patrick Vankrunkelsven; Johan Hellings Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-11-29 Impact factor: 3.603