BACKGROUND: In geriatric oncology, family members frequently accompany patients during medical consultations, providing emotional and practical support while participating in shared decision-making (SDM). Family involvement in SDM can facilitate the decision-making process but also pose challenges for healthcare professionals. Additionally, much of the SDM deliberation occurs outside the clinical setting, making it important to understand family dynamics to ensure treatment decisions align with the patient's values and preferences. Therefore this study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of family members regarding their involvement in decision-making processes for older patients with cancer, and the subsequent impact on roles and family dynamics.METHODS: Qualitative open in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 family members of 11 patients with cancer of 70 years and older in the Netherlands. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach.RESULTS: Four interconnected themes emerged. The first theme, "Roles" revealed that family members often provide both practical and informational support, and sometimes act as advocates for the patient. The second theme, "Family Values and Beliefs," highlighted a strong sense of unconditional and reciprocal support within families, emphasizing the core value of caring for one another. Third, "Family Dynamics," encompasses: keeping everyone informed, dividing caregiver tasks, dealing with disappointment and sadness, managing different opinions, and coping with uncertainty. Finally, "Dilemma's" describes: family members balancing their own opinions with the patient's preferences, reconciling hope and fear, weighing trust in medical professionals against their own judgment, and balancing caregiving responsibilities with their personal lives. These dilemmas were shaped by roles the family members assumed, the underlying values and beliefs, and family dynamics.CONCLUSION: The findings of this interview study provide valuable insights into the complex roles that family members of older patients with cancer play in medical consultations and treatment decision-making and their dilemma's. These roles are deeply influenced by family values and dynamics, which can significantly shape decision-making processes and outcomes. Understanding these factors can help healthcare professionals as it highlights the evolving responsibilities of family caregivers and the importance of supporting them in navigating the intricacies of treatment decisions while maintaining respect for patient autonomy.
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Purpose: This study aimed to develop and pretest a systematic conversation approach for nurses to tailor aftercare to oncology patient's goals, unmet needs and wishes. Methods: We used an iterative developmental process for complex interventions: 1. Identifying problems 2. Identifying overall objectives 3. Designing the intervention 4. Pretesting and adapting the intervention. Results: The main results of the problem identification were: non-systematic and incomplete screening of potential issues, caveats in providing information, and shared decision-making. The overall objective formulated was: To develop a model for aftercare conversations based on shared goal-setting and decision-making. The conversation approach consists of four phases: 1. Preparation of the consultation including a questionnaire, 2. Shared goal-setting by means of a tool visualizing domains of life, and 3. Shared care planning by means of an overview of possible choices in aftercare, a database with health care professionals and a cancer survivorship care plan. 4. Evaluation. The results of the pretest revealed that the conversation approach needs to be flexible and tailored to the patient and practice setting, and embedded in the care processes. The conversation approach was perceived as enhancing patient-centeredness and leading to more in-depth consultations. Conclusion: The conversation approach was developed in co-creation with stakeholders. The results of the pretest revealed important implications and suggestions for implementation in routine care. The aftercare conversation approach can be used by nurses to provide tailored patient-centered evidence-based aftercare. Tailored aftercare should support oncology patient's goals, unmet needs and wishes. Further tailoring is needed.
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Aims and objectives: To examine the predictive properties of the brief Dutch National Safety Management Program for the screening of frail hospitalised older patients (VMS) and to compare these with the more extensive Maastricht Frailty Screening Tool for Hospitalised Patients (MFST-HP). Background: Screening of older patients during admission may help to detect frailty and underlying geriatric conditions. The VMS screening assesses patients on four domains (i.e. functional decline, delirium risk, fall risk and nutrition). The 15-item MFST-HP assesses patients on three domains of frailty (physical, social and psychological). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data of 2,573 hospitalised patients (70+) admitted in 2013 were included, and relative risks, sensitivity and specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve of the two tools were calculated for discharge destination, readmissions and mortality. The data were derived from the patients nursing files. A STARD checklist was completed. Results: Different proportions of frail patients were identified by means of both tools: 1,369 (53.2%) based on the VMS and 414 (16.1%) based on the MFST-HP. The specificity was low for the VMS, and the sensitivity was low for the MFST-HP. The overall AUC for the VMS varied from 0.50 to 0.76 and from 0.49 to 0.69 for the MFST-HP. Conclusion: The predictive properties of the VMS and the more extended MFST-HP on the screening of frailty among older hospitalised patients are poor to moderate and not very promising. Relevance to clinical practice: The VMS labels a high proportion of older patients as potentially frail, while the MFST-HP labels over 80% as nonfrail. An extended tool did not increase the predictive ability of the VMS. However, information derived from the individual items of the screening tools may help nurses in daily practice to intervene on potential geriatric risks such as delirium risk or fall risk.
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BACKGROUND: Despite the evidence of the adverse consequences of immobility during hospitalization, patients spend most of the time in bed. Although physical activity is a modifiable factor that can prevent in-hospital functional decline, bed rest is deeply rooted in the hospital culture. To attack this, a multidimensional approach is needed. Therefore, Hospital in Motion, a multidimensional implementation project, was designed to improve physical behavior during hospitalization. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Hospital in Motion on inpatient physical behavior. Secondary objectives are to investigate the effectiveness on length of hospital stay and immobility-related complications of patients during hospitalization and to monitor the implementation process. METHODS: For this study, Hospital in Motion will be implemented within 4 wards (cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, medical oncology, and hematology) in a Dutch University Medical Center. Per ward, multidisciplinary teams will be composed who follow a step-by-step multidimensional implementation approach including the development and implementation of tailored action plans with multiple interventions to stimulate physical activity in daily care. A prepost observational study design will be used to evaluate the difference in physical behavior before and 1 year after the start of the project, including 40 patients per time point per ward (160 patients in total). The primary outcome measure is the percentage of time spent lying, measured with the behavioral mapping method. In addition, a process evaluation will be performed per ward using caregivers' and patient surveys and semistructured interviews with patients and caregivers. RESULTS: This study is ongoing. The first participant was enrolled in October 2017 for the premeasurement. The postmeasurements are planned for the end of 2018. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in autumn 2019. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide information about the effectiveness of the Hospital in Motion project on physical behavior and about the procedures of the followed implementation process aimed to incorporate physical activity in usual care. These insights will be useful for others interested in changing physical behavior during hospitalization.
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INTRODUCTION: There is a growing interest in the involvement of family members of older patients with cancer in decision-making processes. The aim of this study is to identify how and to what extent family members, together with patients and physicians, are involved in triadic decision-making processes in clinical practice.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using an exploratory observational design. The Observer Patient Involvement Scale for patients with Multiple Chronicle Conditions (OPTION MCC) was used to assess the interaction in triadic decision-making between patients, family members, and physicians. Physicians' behaviour was scored on a Likert-scale ranging from 0 (not observed) to 4 (executed to a high standard), while the behaviour of patients and their family members was scored on a scale from 0 (no or minimum participation) to 2 (active participation). Atlas.ti software was used to facilitate coding, and the SPSS statistical analysis platform was used to explore correlations between the shared decision-making (SDM) skills of the physician and the participation of patients and their family members. RESULTS: In total, ten physicians performed 25 consultations with older patients and 30 family members. Patients showed higher levels of participation in the SDM process than family members (OPTION MCC mean scores 0.96 vs 0.61). Physicians' SDM skills were observed at a low or moderate skill level (OPTION MCC mean score 1.81). Exploratory correlation analysis showed that higher physician scores were related to higher levels of both patients' and family members' involvement in the decision-making process. The level of family members' involvement in SDM varied from no involvement at all to active involvement. Qualitative analysis of family involvement revealed that relatives are likely to: emphasize patients' values and goals of care; inquire about different treatment options; assist in the deliberation process; and ask for clarification of the further medical process. Physicians showed responsive behaviour towards family members but seldom actively involved them in the SDM process. DISCUSSION: The study findings suggest that there is a need to include strategies to facilitate family involvement in current SDM models for older patients with cancer. Healthcare professionals in geriatric oncology might benefit from additional training covering family dynamics and managing challenging situations.
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Introduction: Cancer survivors face physical, lifestyle, psychological, and psychosocial challenges. Despite the availability of aftercare services, survivors still have unmet needs. Digital aftercare programs may offer support, but their use is limited. This study aimed to examine what is needed to improve uptake and adoption of these programs. Additionally, it explored sociodemographic and clinical variables that may influence these needs. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, involving qualitative interviews and a questionnaire. The research was guided by the COM-B model of behaviour, which considers capability, opportunity, and motivation crucial for behaviour. Qualitative analysis was performed using the framework method. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results: Fourteen cancer survivors were interviewed, and 213 participants completed the questionnaire. Findings indicated that most respondents had a positive or neutral attitude towards digital aftercare programs, believing these could address their cancer-related challenges. Still, only a small percentage had experience with them, and most were unaware of their existence. Many expressed a desire to be informed about them. Some were uncertain about their effectiveness. Others were concerned about a lack of reimbursement. No significant influence of the sociodemographic and clinical variables was found. Conclusion: Cancer survivors are generally positive about digital aftercare programs but are often unaware of their availability. Raising awareness, clarifying their value, and providing support and reimbursement could enhance uptake and adoption. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The current insights can help improve participation in digital aftercare programs, ultimately fostering health, well-being, and quality of life of cancer survivors.
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Abstract Review Article: Introduction: Registered nurses and students of the Bachelor of Nursing are improving the quality of healthcare by working together in a Learning and Innovation Network (LIN). A LIN is a powerful learning environment, where employees and students work together towards a common goal. Methods: In the Netherlands, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc and Inholland University of Applied Sciences have set up a LIN on the internal medicine traumatology, oncology, cardiology and urology departments. On the LIN departments, the number of students has increased significantly. Because the students are supernumerary, space and time are created to optimize the learning process of the RNs without compromising the care to be provided. Within the LIN, students learn from the practical experience of RNs, which gives them tools to apply knowledge practically. On the other hand, students can contribute to the adaptation of long established practices, based on recently acquired knowledge. A bridge is built between acting according to recent scientific insights and experiences from practice. It is also important to take the patient’s wishes into account. This guarantees nursing action based on evidence based practice and best practice. Several projects aimed at increasing the quality of care have already been carried out within the LIN such as projects focused on removing a catheter and bandaging. Conclusion: The LIN is taking more and more shape within the VUmc. There is a broad support base between educational and healthcare institutions, both on management and executive level. In order to make the LIN activities even more attuned to the authentic development needs of the department, interprofessional learning and working should be encouraged by also enthusing other care disciplines and researchers to participate in the LIN. An EBP working group consisting of permanent team members can contribute to the safeguarding of the outcomes of the LIN projects.
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Objective. Hospital in Motion is a multidimensional implementation project aiming to improve movement behavior during hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Hospital in Motion on movement behavior. Methods. This prospective study used a pre-implementation and post-implementation design. Hospital in Motion was conducted at 4 wards of an academic hospital in the Netherlands. In each ward, multidisciplinary teams followed a 10-month step-by-step approach, including the development and implementation of a ward-specific action plan with multiple interventions to improve movement behavior. Inpatient movement behavior was assessed before the start of the project and 1 year later using a behavioral mapping method in which patients were observed between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. The primary outcome was the percentage of time spent lying down. In addition, sitting and moving, immobility-related complications, length of stay, discharge destination home, discharge destination rehabilitation setting, mortality, and 30-day readmissions were investigated. Differences between pre-implementation and post-implementation conditions were analyzed using the chi-square test for dichotomized variables, the Mann Whitney test for non-normal distributed data, or independent samples t test for normally distributed data. Results. Patient observations demonstrated that the primary outcome, the time spent lying down, changed from 60.1% to 52.2%. For secondary outcomes, the time spent sitting increased from 31.6% to 38.3%, and discharges to a rehabilitation setting reduced from 6 (4.4%) to 1 (0.7%). No statistical differences were found in the other secondary outcome measures. Conclusion. The implementation of the multidimensional project Hospital in Motion was associated with patients who were hospitalized spending less time lying in bed and with a reduced number of discharges to a rehabilitation setting. Impact. Inpatient movement behavior can be influenced by multidimensional interventions. Programs implementing interventions that specifically focus on improving time spent moving, in addition to decreasing time spent lying, are recommended.
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Introduction: This study evaluates the course of physical fitness and nutritional status during curative therapy for esophageal cancer, after implementation of a prehabilitation program. Additionally, the impact of baseline physical fitness level and severe postoperative complications on the course of individual patients were explored. Materials and methods: This multicenter, observational cohort study included patients with esophageal cancer following curative treatment. Prehabilitation, consisting of supervised exercise training and nutritional counseling was offered as standard care to patients after neoadjuvant therapy, prior to surgery. Primary outcome measures included change of exercise capacity, hand grip strength, self-reported physical functioning, Body Mass Index, and malnutrition risk from diagnosis to 2–6 months postoperatively. Analyses over time were performed using linear mixed models, and linear mixed regression models to investigate the impact of baseline level and severe postoperative complications. Results: Hundred sixty-eight patients were included (mean age 65.9 ± 8.6 years; 78.0 % male). All parameters (except for malnutrition risk) showed a decline during neoadjuvant therapy (p < .05), an improvement during prehabilitation (p < .005) and a decline postoperatively (p < .001), with a high heterogeneity between patients. Change in the outcomes from baseline to postoperatively was not different for patients with or without a severe complication. Better baseline physical fitness and nutritional status were significantly associated with a greater decline postoperatively (p < .001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a notable decline during neoadjuvant therapy, that fully recovers during prehabilitation, and a subsequent long lasting decline postoperatively. The heterogeneity in the course of physical fitness and nutritional status underlines the importance of individualized monitoring.
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Offering physical activities matching with the preferences of residents in long-term care facilities could increase compliance and contribute to client-centered care. A measure to investigate meaningful activities by using a photo-interview has been developed (“MIBBO”). In two pilot studies including 133 residents living on different wards in long-term care facilities, feasibility, most chosen activities, and consistency of preferences were investigated. It was possible to conduct the MIBBO on average in 30 min with the majority (86.4%) of residents. The most frequently chosen activities were: gymnastics and orchestra (each 28%), preparing a meal (31%), walking (outside, 33%), watering plants (38%), and feeding pets (40%). In a retest one week after the initial interview 69.4% agreement of chosen activities was seen. The MIBBO seems a promising measure to help health care professionals in identifying residents’ preferred activities. Future research should focus on the implementation of the tailored activity plan, incorporating it into the daily routine.
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