Jeanne M Erickson1, Suzanne Ameringer2, Lauri Linder3, Catherine Fiona Macpherson4, R K Elswick2, Jeneile M Luebke1, Kristin Stegenga5. 1. 1 College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 2. 2 School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia. 3. 3 Cancer Blood and Transplant Service, College of Nursing, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah. 4. 4 Seattle Children's Hospital , Seattle, Washington. 5. 5 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City, Missouri.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer need self-management strategies to cope with multiple symptoms. Self-efficacy, self-regulation, and negotiated collaboration are key theoretical components of the self-management process and have not been fully explored with AYAs with cancer. This study examined the effects of a heuristic symptom assessment tool on AYAs' self-efficacy for symptom management, AYAs' self-regulation abilities related to their symptoms, and communication with their providers about symptoms. METHODS: AYAs (15-29 years of age) receiving chemotherapy used the Computerized Symptom Capture Assessment Tool (C-SCAT) to illustrate their symptom experience and discuss their symptoms with providers during two clinic visits. Participants completed the PROMIS Self-efficacy for Managing Symptoms Scale, a measure of satisfaction with provider communication, and a short interview about self-regulation and communication behaviors at baseline and after each provider visit. RESULTS: Eighty-five AYAs who used the C-SCAT showed improved self-efficacy for managing symptoms. Qualitative data suggest that the C-SCAT was useful for enhancing a number of AYAs' self-regulation abilities related to symptom management, such as awareness and recall of symptoms, how symptoms were related, and how they planned to talk about their symptoms to providers. AYAs reported C-SCAT facilitated communication with providers about symptoms and symptom management because it was a visual prompt showing priority and related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Because AYAs continue to experience multiple distressing symptoms, symptom self-management remains an important area for practice and research. Use of heuristic tools, such as the C-SCAT, may help AYAs more effectively self-manage their symptoms for better health outcomes.
PURPOSE: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer need self-management strategies to cope with multiple symptoms. Self-efficacy, self-regulation, and negotiated collaboration are key theoretical components of the self-management process and have not been fully explored with AYAs with cancer. This study examined the effects of a heuristic symptom assessment tool on AYAs' self-efficacy for symptom management, AYAs' self-regulation abilities related to their symptoms, and communication with their providers about symptoms. METHODS: AYAs (15-29 years of age) receiving chemotherapy used the Computerized Symptom Capture Assessment Tool (C-SCAT) to illustrate their symptom experience and discuss their symptoms with providers during two clinic visits. Participants completed the PROMIS Self-efficacy for Managing Symptoms Scale, a measure of satisfaction with provider communication, and a short interview about self-regulation and communication behaviors at baseline and after each provider visit. RESULTS: Eighty-five AYAs who used the C-SCAT showed improved self-efficacy for managing symptoms. Qualitative data suggest that the C-SCAT was useful for enhancing a number of AYAs' self-regulation abilities related to symptom management, such as awareness and recall of symptoms, how symptoms were related, and how they planned to talk about their symptoms to providers. AYAs reported C-SCAT facilitated communication with providers about symptoms and symptom management because it was a visual prompt showing priority and related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Because AYAs continue to experience multiple distressing symptoms, symptom self-management remains an important area for practice and research. Use of heuristic tools, such as the C-SCAT, may help AYAs more effectively self-manage their symptoms for better health outcomes.
Authors: Suzanne Ameringer; R K Elswick; Kristin Stegenga; Catherine Fiona Macpherson; Jeanne M Erickson; Lauri Linder Journal: Cancer Nurs Date: 2021-12-29 Impact factor: 2.760
Authors: Catherine Fiona Macpherson; Kristin Stegenga; Jeanne M Erickson; Lauri A Linder; Amy R Newman; Ronald K Elswick; John Charlson; Stefanie Thomas; Suzanne Ameringer Journal: J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol Date: 2020-04-23 Impact factor: 1.757