Bojoura Schouten1, Dominiek De Jonckheere2,3, Marc Aerts4, Jochen Decaestecker2,3,5, Daan Walgraeve4, Patrick Vankrunkelsven6,7, Johan Hellings8,2,3. 1. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium. bojoura.schouten@uhasselt.be. 2. AZ Delta Hospital, Rode-Kruisstraat 20, 8800, Roeselare, Belgium. 3. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, AZ Delta Hospital, Rode-Kruisstraat 20, 8800, Roeselare, Belgium. 4. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jessa Hospital, Salvatorstraat 11, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium. 5. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Campus Gasthuisberg, University Hospitals KULeuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 6. Department of Public health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KULeuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, PB 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 7. Belgian Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBAM), Kapucijnenvoer 33- blok J, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 8. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Systematic assessment of QOL and care needs was applied in two gastroenterology departments to support "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient." METHODS: Patients with digestive cancer were asked to complete the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form (CARES-SF) at the start of treatment and 3 months later. Both times CARES data were processed, and summary reports on the retained insights were sent to the reference nurse for use in further follow-up of the patient. Patients' and reference nurse's experiences with the systematic CARES-assessment were explored with several survey questions and semi-structured interviews, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the 51 participants was 63 years (SD11.17), 52.9% was male. With the CARES-SF, a large variety of problems and care needs was detected. Problems most frequently experienced, and most burdensome for QOL are a mix of physical complaints, side effects from treatment, practical, relational, and psychosocial difficulties. Only for a limited number of experienced problems a desire for extra help was expressed. All patients positively evaluate the timing and frequency of the CARES-assessment. The majority believes that this assessment could contribute to the discussion of problems and needs with healthcare professionals, to get more tailored care. Reference nurses experienced the intervention as an opportunity to systematically explore patients' well-being in a comprehensive way, leading to detection and discussion of specific problems or needs in greater depth, and more efficient involvement of different disciplines in care. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic QOL and needs assessment with the CARES-SF in oncology can contribute to more patient-centeredness and efficiency of care.
PURPOSE: Systematic assessment of QOL and care needs was applied in two gastroenterology departments to support "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient." METHODS:Patients with digestive cancer were asked to complete the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form (CARES-SF) at the start of treatment and 3 months later. Both times CARES data were processed, and summary reports on the retained insights were sent to the reference nurse for use in further follow-up of the patient. Patients' and reference nurse's experiences with the systematic CARES-assessment were explored with several survey questions and semi-structured interviews, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the 51 participants was 63 years (SD11.17), 52.9% was male. With the CARES-SF, a large variety of problems and care needs was detected. Problems most frequently experienced, and most burdensome for QOL are a mix of physical complaints, side effects from treatment, practical, relational, and psychosocial difficulties. Only for a limited number of experienced problems a desire for extra help was expressed. All patients positively evaluate the timing and frequency of the CARES-assessment. The majority believes that this assessment could contribute to the discussion of problems and needs with healthcare professionals, to get more tailored care. Reference nurses experienced the intervention as an opportunity to systematically explore patients' well-being in a comprehensive way, leading to detection and discussion of specific problems or needs in greater depth, and more efficient involvement of different disciplines in care. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic QOL and needs assessment with the CARES-SF in oncology can contribute to more patient-centeredness and efficiency of care.
Entities:
Keywords:
CARES; Care needs; Digestive cancer; Quality of life; Systematic assessment
Authors: James D Harrison; Jane M Young; Melanie A Price; Phyllis N Butow; Michael J Solomon Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2009-03-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Carolyn Cook Gotay; Carol M Moinpour; Joseph M Unger; Caroline S Jiang; Dorothy Coleman; Silvana Martino; Beverly J Parker; James D Bearden; Shaker Dakhil; Howard M Gross; Scott Lippman; Kathy S Albain Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2007-05-20 Impact factor: 44.544