Patient engagement in CPD in radiation oncology and radiation therapy across Canada: A national survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate patient engagement (PE) in the development and delivery of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for health care providers within radiation oncology, radiation therapy and medical physics across Canada. This study looked at the current state of PE in CPD programs across Canada and how to address the benefits and barriers to PE to advance these programs.

Methods: A quantitative, exploratory survey was conducted among radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists across Canada.

Retrospective analysis of VES-13 questionnaires in the Senior Women's Breast Cancer Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Purpose: Vulnerable Elder Survey (VES-13) is a screening tool used in assessing older vulnerable patients at risk of functional decline. We sought to evaluate how VES-13 tool would impact oncologist referral pattern to geriatricians as our primary outcome. We also sought to better understand how VES-13 scores impacted referral to additional services (allied healthcare), and modification to oncological treatment.

Radiation therapists' knowledge and attitudes regarding specialized clinics for geriatric assessment of older women with early stage breast cancer: A cross sectional study.

Introduction: Older patients with breast cancer have specialized needs compared to younger patients. Currently, there is disparity of care, with comprehensive cancer centres unable to adequately respond to the needs of this population. Specialized geriatric oncology clinics in Europe focus on care for older patients and are increasingly of interest in Canada due to the aging population.

Exploring Tobacco Use and Smoking Cessation Best Practices From the Perspectives of Individuals With Lung Cancer and Health Care Professionals.

Background: Lung cancer patients who continue to smoke after diagnosis are at increased risk of treatment toxicity, residual/recurrent disease, future malignancies, and all-cause mortality. Guidelines including those from National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Cancer Care Ontario advocate for screening, counseling, and access to smoking cessation services for all cancer patients; however, barriers from both patient and health care professional (HCP) perspectives contribute to lack of implementation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the different perspectives among patients and HCPs in how the promotion of person-centred approaches may be used when offering smoking cessation services to patients who are receiving care within a regional cancer centre.

Catalyst for Change: Measuring the Effectiveness of Training of All Health Care Professionals to Provide Brief Intervention for Smoking Cessation to Cancer Patients.

Background: Smoking cessation is recommended to prevent individuals from developing cancer, with additional benefits after a cancer diagnosis. Tobacco use during cancer treatments increases the risk of complications and may reduce the effectiveness of treatment; patients who quit smoking are less likely to experience recurrence. Health care professionals play a vital role in assessing and educating cancer patients on how to quit.

Gait Speed vs. VES-13: A Pilot Study Comparing Screening Tools to Determine the Need for a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Senior Women with Breast Cancer.

Background/objectives: Patients aged 70 years and older may be suboptimally treated with cancer therapy because of the lack of clinical trial data in this population. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment can be time consuming, and access to geriatricians is limited. This study aims to determine whether gait speed (GS) analysis is equivalent to the widely accepted Vulnerable Elders Survey 13 (VES-13) in identifying vulnerable or frail patients in need of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.

Assessing the Psychological Impact of Daily Bowel Preparation on Prostate Patients Who Receive Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Evidence has shown that the prostate moves depending on filling of the rectum and, to a lesser extent, the bladder; many radiation therapy departments have adopted standardized bladder filling/rectal emptying protocols for radiotherapy treatment. Daily treatments may be delayed until appropriate volumes are attained; the resultant psychological impact of these delays on patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine levels of anxiety, depression, distress, and bother related to bowel preparation for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy treatment.

National Survey Among Radiation Oncology Residents Related to Their Needs in Geriatric Oncology.

Currently, there is no formal curriculum addressing geriatric oncology within Canadian radiation oncology (RO) residency programs. Knowledge related to geriatric medicine may help radiation oncologists modify RT based on frailty status and geriatric considerations. Understanding specific learning needs allow program coordinators to align the current curriculum with residents' geriatric oncology learning needs.

Adverse Health Outcomes Associated with Postdiagnosis Smoking in Prostate Cancer Patients: A Literature Review.

This literature review presents what is currently known about the association between postdiagnosis smoking and adverse health outcomes in prostate cancer. A literature search was conducted using Ovid Embase and Ovid MEDLINE. Information from 36 studies was summarized.

The Perceptions and Expectations of Older Women in the Establishment of the Senior Women's Breast Cancer Clinic (SWBCC): a Needs Assessment Study.

This study explored older women's perceptions and expectations of the prospective Senior Women's Breast Cancer Clinic (SWBCC) at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre (SOCC) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In our previous studies, older breast cancer patients had expressed a greater need for informational, decisional, and post-treatment support. This study also assessed women's perspectives on the involvement of geriatricians and incorporation of geriatric assessment in their cancer care.

Towards an optimal multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment for older women.

The treatment of breast cancer presents specifc concerns that are unique to the needs of older female patients. While treatment of early breast cancer does not vary greatly with age, the optimal management of older women with breast cancer often requires complex interdisciplinary supportive care due to multiple comorbidities. This article reviews optimal approaches to breast cancer in women 65 years and older from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Providing Supportive Care for Young Breast Cancer Patients: Exploring the Comfort Level and Educational Needs of the Interprofessional Health Care Team at a Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Introduction: Younger patients diagnosed with breast cancer have unique issues compared with their older counterparts, including premature menopause, body image, and fertility/relationship concerns. However, breast cancer information tends to focus on older patients. The interprofessional team at a large hospital was surveyed to assess comfort level and knowledge of supportive care for the younger population.

Examining the Effectiveness of Action Plans Derived from the Root Cause Analysis of Incidents Occurring in a Radiation Therapy Department.

Purpose: In 2011, the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy developed guidelines for quality improvement. In the same year, a large academic cancer centre initiated a program of root cause analysis (RCA) and incident learning for major incidents. RCAs were performed on seven incidents; more than 40 action items were developed with the intent to prevent these incidents from recurring.

Role Development for Radiation Therapists: An Examination of the Computed Tomographic Simulation Procedure for Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Purpose: This study investigated the role of radiation therapists (RTs) in the computed tomographic (CT) simulation procedure for patients receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer at a large comprehensive cancer clinic. RTs had developed a "hybrid role" whereby they practiced autonomously during a "therapist-led CT simulation." As well as CT scanning, RTs assessed the images, performed isocentre and field placement, and contoured the organs at risk in preparation for dosimetrists to optimize the dose distribution.

Educating our patients collaboratively: a novel interprofessional approach.

Providing cancer patients with more information regarding their treatments allows them to feel more in control, increases self efficacy, and can decrease anxiety. The aims of the present study were to develop an interprofessional group education session and to evaluate the usefulness and acceptability of this session. In addition, informational distress levels pre- and post-education were evaluated.

Smoking Cessation Basics: An Essential Component of Radiation Therapy Clinical Practice.

Tobacco addiction is among the top preventable health risks to combat cancer. Smoking is responsible for almost 30% of cancer deaths in Canada; it increases the risk of developing cancers of the lung, mouth, throat, larynx, cervix, pancreas, esophagus, colon, rectum, kidney, and bladder and in acute myeloid leukemia. Nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke are also at higher risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.