Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Multicenter StudyHematologic outcomes and blood utilization in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) pre- and post-national coverage determination (NCD): results from a multicenter chart review.
In July 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) limited coverage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) through a National Coverage Determination (NCD). The primary objective of this study was to compare transfusion rates in patients with CIA with lung, breast, or colorectal cancer before and after the NCD. ⋯ Decreased frequency and duration of ESA administration were reported in the post-NCD vs. pre-NCD period. Findings were accompanied by a modest but statistically significant increase in transfusions and a decrease in Hb values.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Demonstration and manifestation of self-determination and illness resistance--a qualitative study of long-term maintenance of physical activity in posttreatment cancer survivors.
The aim of this study was to describe posttreatment cancer survivors' lived experience of long-term maintenance of physical activity (PA). ⋯ This study indicates that cancer survivors' continued motivation for PA may be dependent on the fulfillment of a personal and conscious experience of being in the process of creating and living a comprehensible and meaningful life. Future theory-based interventions to encourage PA maintenance in cancer survivors could potentially benefit by integration of humanistic and existential psychology in addition to social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
A new palliative care consultation team at the oncology department of a university hospital: an assessment of initial efficiency and effectiveness.
Palliative care consultation teams (PCCT) in acute hospitals have increased in number over recent years. To assess whether these teams are both efficient in their role within a palliative care centre and effective in the care that is provided for patients, we reviewed the initial activity of a new PCCT at the Oncology Department of Clínica Universidad de Navarra, a European Society for Medical Oncology-designated centre of integrated oncology and palliative care. ⋯ From the initial stages, the PCCT was both efficient in its role within the palliative care centre and effective in the care that was provided for patients. A significant number of patients were evaluated, many of them with severe symptoms and/or at the end of life. Inpatients receiving care from the PCCT experienced an improvement in symptom control within just a few days.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
What are the perceived needs and challenges of informal caregivers in home cancer palliative care? Qualitative data to construct a feasible psycho-educational intervention.
Tailored and specific interventions for informal caregivers in palliative care are rare. We aimed to generate evidence to inform a subsequent appropriate intervention based on caregivers' experiences. ⋯ Considering the time pressures and restricted caregiver time, the intervention should be brief and should aim to enhance their visibility as service recipients, patient-specific information giving, preparation for their role, and emotional support.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialThe impact of a problem-solving intervention on increasing caregiver assistance and improving caregiver health.
There is a paucity of research evaluating the impact of symptom management interventions on increasing family caregiver involvement in symptom management and on caregivers' emotional health. In addition, most caregiver interventions are delivered by a health care professional, which can be costly to implement in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether, in patients with solid tumors, a nurse-delivered symptom management intervention was more effective than a coach-led intervention in increasing caregiver involvement in symptom management and improving caregivers' emotional health. ⋯ Findings suggest that a nurse-delivered problem-solving intervention increases family caregivers' level of assistance in symptom management for caregivers with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Data also suggest interventions focused solely on care recipient symptom management may not be effective in improving caregivers' emotional health.