Whitfieldleonard0205

Background Healthcare professionals have driven decision-making in the past. However, shared decision-making has the potential to increase quality of care. Objective To determine to what degree patients undergoing routine pelvic radiotherapy care perceive decision-making as being shared between patient and healthcare professionals. Methods This exploratory longitudinal study covered 193 patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy, mostly women (n = 161 [84%]) treated for a gynecological (n = 132 [68%]) or colorectal (n = 54 [28%]) cancer. We collected data regarding self-perceived level of shared decision-making at the start of radiotherapy and quality of life (QoL) (91%-95% response rate per week) during the radiotherapy period. Results The patients reported that they shared the decision-making with the healthcare professionals much (n = 137 [71%]), moderately (n = 33 [17%]), a little (n = 12 [6%]), or not at all (n = 11 [6%]). Male patients (P = .048), patients who did not live with their partner (P = .034), patients with higher education (P = .043), and patients with low functional capacity (P = .018) perceived lower levels of shared decision-making. A higher level of shared decision-making was related to higher QoL at baseline and during the first to third weeks of radiotherapy (P ranged from .001 to .044). Conclusions Almost 9 of 10 patients reported that they shared the decision-making moderately or much with the healthcare professionals. The study identified subgroups perceiving lower levels of shared decision-making and found that a higher level of shared decision-making was related to better QoL. Implications Healthcare professionals may need to pay extra attention to patients who may perceive that they share decision-making to a low extent.Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a devastating disease, and its corresponding treatments can result in substantial functional challenges for patients. These patients require a considerable amount of care, and the tasks of caregiving can be challenging for the caregivers. To date, there is no published literature review on the experiences and the needs of caregivers of patients with HNC. Objective To synthesize the literature on the experiences and needs of caregivers of patients with HNC in order to inform the development of an educational intervention for the caregivers. Methods An integrative literature review was conducted to examine the current knowledge about the experiences and needs of caregivers of patients with HNC. A systematic literature search strategy was conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus. The dominant or recurrent themes were identified using thematic synthesis. Results Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Three central themes were identified. These were the following disruption to daily life, the impact of caregiving, and the availability of information and support. Conclusions Head and neck cancer affects the caregivers' lives physically, psychosocially, and financially. Caregivers identified the need for informational, financial, and educational support on an ongoing basis in assisting their loved ones with HNC. Implications for practice Ongoing assessment of caregivers' support needs may contribute to enhancing the care and management of patients with HNC and is essential to promptly identify the concerns of caregivers. Clinicians should view the caregivers as copartners in HNC management and offer adequate support and education programs relevant to their needs.Background Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) has a notable impact on patients' quality of life. However, no instrument is available to assess the problems in functioning due to BCRL in China. Objective The aims of this study were to translate and validate a Chinese version of the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability, and Health Questionnaire for Upper Limb Lymphedema (Lymph-ICF-UL). Methods A process of translation and cultural adaptation was conducted based on international standards. The study included 155 patients with BCRL and 90 patients without lymphedema. Psychometric properties that were tested consisted of internal consistency, test-rest reliability, content, construct and discriminant validity. Results The Cronbach's α was .92, and intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.83. Content validity was confirmed by a sufficient content validity index in item level and scale level. Exploratory factor analysis identified 5 factors accounting for 62.44% of the total variance, and confirmatory factor analysis fit indices were acceptable. Convergent validity was supported by a moderate correlation with the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire and relatively weak correlations with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. There was good divergent validity with all hypotheses evaluating divergent validity were confirmed. Significant differences were found between the lymphedema and nonlymphedema groups. Conclusion The Chinese version of the Lymph-ICF-UL is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in both clinical and scientific settings in China. Implications The Chinese version of the Lymph-ICF-UL could be applicable in assessing the impairments in function, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of Chinese patients with BCRL.Background Coping strategies are essential in dealing with threatening situations or difficulties for better psychological adjustments and quality of life. learn more A short-form modified Ways of Coping Questionnaire (MWCQ) would be useful to quickly assess the coping strategies used by breast cancer survivors. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of a brief version of the MWCQ in breast cancer survivors. Methods A methodological, cross-sectional design was used in this study. The study has internal consistency reliability, face/content, construct, and convergent/divergent validity. Factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to examine the psychometric properties of the MWCQ-brief in a convenience sample of 207 women with breast cancer from 2 general hospitals in Taiwan. Results From the initial 35-item coping scale, factor analysis results supported a 24-item questionnaire, and the following 4 factors were extracted effective coping, optimistic coping, unpractical coping, and escape coping.