Patient quality of life and caregiver experiences in ovarian cancer: How are they related?

Purpose: Patients with ovarian cancer and their spousal caregivers report similarities in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and experiences throughout the cancer process. Previous research has reflected these shared experiences, demonstrating caregivers' capacity to accurately rate their patient-partner's HRQoL as a proxy. In response, this study examines associations between caregivers' perceptions of their patient-partner's HRQoL and their own caregiving responsibilities, consequences to well-being, and desired assistance from the healthcare system.

Approaches to Psychosocial Care Within Tertiary Diabetes Care Centres in Canada: An Environmental Scan.

Background: Patients with diabetes facing psychosocial challenges often struggle with diabetes self-management, and thereby are at risk of complications arising from hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Despite the Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines' recommendations for diabetes centres to offer psychosocial services for the screening and support of patients with psychosocial barriers, the extent to which these recommendations have been implemented in centres across Canada is unknown.

Methods: Tertiary adult diabetes centres affiliated with academic institutions were invited to participate in our quantitative survey (n=40).

An investigation of fear of recurrence, attachment and caregiving experiences among ovarian cancer partner-caregivers.

Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common concern for both cancer patients and their caregivers. Attachment insecurity is an established contributor to poorer mental health, particularly as it relates to social support. This study sought to evaluate whether attachment and caregiver experiences in cancer care were predictors of FCR.

An Investigation of the Effect of Attachment on Distress among Partners of Patients with Ovarian Cancer and Their Relationship with the Cancer Care Providers.

Caregivers of patients with ovarian cancer experience distress related to caregiving difficulties within cancer care. Attachment insecurity is a well-known protector of distress, particularly as it relates to support from others. Using multivariate analyses, this study sought to determine the contribution of attachment insecurity and experiences with cancer care on symptoms of depression and anxiety, and investigated whether attachment insecurity moderated the relationship between caregiving experiences and distress.

Health anxiety and illness-related fears across diverse chronic illnesses: A systematic review on conceptualization, measurement, prevalence, course, and correlates.

Background: Patients with chronic diseases commonly report fears of illness or symptoms recurring or worsening. These fears have been addressed from an illness-specific perspective (e.g.

What do partners of patients with ovarian cancer need from the healthcare system? An examination of caregiving experiences in the healthcare setting and reported distress.

Purpose: Ovarian cancer is typically characterized by late-stage diagnoses, frequent recurrences, and treatment changes. Ovarian cancer caregivers (OCC) are thus heavily involved with cancer care and often are highly distressed.

Methods: We explored the relationship with OCC distress and caregiving experiences within the healthcare system and with the healthcare providers (HCP), using a cross-sectional questionnaire study.

A Systematic Review of Interventions for Health Anxiety Presentations Across Diverse Chronic Illnesses.

Purpose: Health anxiety (HA) is associated with reduced quality of life among individuals with chronic illnesses. However, little is known about effective interventions for reducing HA in this context. This study aimed to comprehensively review the literature on interventions for the treatment of HA in chronic illness.

An implementation evaluation of a wellness beyond cancer program survivorship class: Who is attending?

Breast and endometrial cancer survivors referred to the Wellness Beyond Cancer Program were invited to a survivorship education class. As not all survivors attended the class, this study aimed to identify socio-demographic and medical characteristics, and survivorship needs that predict attendance. A chart review was conducted on survivors who completed a needs assessment survey between 2012 and 2014 (n=144 endometrial; n=170 breast).

Balancing give and take between patients and their spousal caregivers in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a demanding treatment. Spouses of HSCT patients assume caregiving responsibilities that can induce feelings of burden and disrupt relationship equity. On the basis of equity theory, we propose a conceptual framework examining the individual and dyadic experience of HSCT patients and their caregivers.

Being a caregiver to patients with ovarian cancer: A scoping review of the literature.

Objective: Ovarian cancer differs from many other cancer diagnoses due to its late diagnosis and high rates and frequencies of recurrences. The physical and psychosocial wellbeing of patients are well documented in the literature, however limited research exists specifically on their friends and family, or caregivers. The goal of this review was to examine the state of the literature on ovarian cancer caregivers.

When fear of cancer recurrence becomes a clinical issue: a qualitative analysis of features associated with clinical fear of cancer recurrence.

Purpose: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common experience for cancer survivors. However, it remains unclear what characteristics differentiate non-clinical from clinical levels of FCR. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential hallmarks of clinical FCR.

Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM): phase 2 trial of a brief individual psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer.

Background: Advanced cancer brings substantial physical and psychosocial challenges that may contribute to emotional distress and diminish well-being. In this study, we present preliminary data concerning the effectiveness of a new brief individual psychotherapy, Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM), designed to help individuals cope with this circumstance.

Aim: To test the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of CALM to reduce emotional distress and promote psychological well-being and growth.