A pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate a survivorship care planning intervention for head and neck cancer survivor-caregiver dyads.

Purpose: Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and caregivers face significant challenges after treatment. This study's objective was to evaluate the effects of a dyadic survivorship care planning (SCP) intervention on survivor and caregiver outcomes.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled HNC survivors and caregivers within 18 months post-treatment, randomized dyads to SCP (one-session with written SCP and follow-up telephone call) or usual care and administered baseline and 6-month surveys.

Determinants of Evidence-based Practice Uptake in Rural Intensive Care Units. A Mixed Methods Study.

Evidence-based practices promote quality care for intensive care unit patients but chronic evidence-to-practice gaps limit their reach. To characterize key determinants of evidence-based practice uptake in the rural intensive care setting. A parallel convergent mixed methods design was used with six hospitals receiving a quality improvement intervention.

Implementation of an Academic-to-Community Hospital Intensive Care Unit Quality Improvement Program. Qualitative Analysis of Multilevel Facilitators and Barriers.

Implementation of evidence-based best practices is influenced by a variety of contextual factors. It is vital to characterize such factors to maintain high-quality care. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are critically ill and require complex, interdisciplinary, evidence-based care to enable high-quality outcomes.

Evaluation of a survivorship needs assessment planning tool for head and neck cancer survivor-caregiver dyads.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to test the acceptability and feasibility of a survivorship needs assessment planning (SNAP) tool for head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and caregivers, evaluate short-term changes in psychosocial outcomes after completing the SNAP session, and develop strategies for system refinement.

Methods: We used a prospective one-group design and mixed methods with HNC survivors and caregivers (N = 25 dyads). Participants completed baseline and 6-week surveys before and after completing a SNAP clinic visit to assess psychosocial outcomes and acceptability.

Causal attributions and their impact on psychosocial functioning in head and neck cancer patient-caregiver dyads: a preliminary, longitudinal study.

Purpose: This longitudinal study explores causal attributions in newly diagnosed head/neck cancer (HNC) patients and their caregivers.

Methods: Perceptions of causal attributions and associated level of responsibility regarding each patient's HNC diagnosis at baseline (n = 72 dyads) were described and then tested as predictors of depressive symptoms, cancer worry, and perceived support 6 months later.

Results: When causes were reported, tobacco and alcohol use topped the list of both patients and caregivers.

Factors Influencing Adherence to Recommended Colorectal Cancer Surveillance: Experiences and Behaviors of Colorectal Cancer Survivors.

The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the USA is increasing and factors associated with CRC surveillance require attention. This study examined the role of personal, provider, and practice-level factors on CRC survivor care surveillance experiences and outcomes. A telephone survey, informed by the Chronic Care Model, was conducted over a 1-year period with 150 CRC survivors identified via the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry.

Availability of patient-centered cancer support services: A statewide survey of cancer centers.

The Institute of Medicine recommended in their landmark report "From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition" that services to meet the needs of cancer patients should extend beyond physical health issues to include functional and psychosocial consequences of cancer. However, no systems exist in the US to support state-level data collection on availability of support services for cancer patients. Developing a mechanism to systematically collect these data and document service availability is essential for guiding comprehensive cancer control planning efforts.

Physical and emotional well-being and support in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patient-caregiver dyads.

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical and emotional well-being and social support in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and caregivers and identify sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral risk factors associated with compromised well-being in patients and caregivers. Newly diagnosed HNC patients and their primary caregivers (N = 72 dyads) completed questionnaires before treatment assessing physical and mental well-being, depression, cancer worry, and open-ended support questions. Patients reported worse physical well-being than caregivers (p < 0.

Recruiting colorectal cancer survivors to a surveillance study: Barriers and successful strategies.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates are increasing. Effective strategies to recruit CRC survivors to surveillance studies are needed.

Objective: We analyzed the barriers encountered while recruiting CRC survivors to a study assessing their surveillance care experiences.

Patient participation in cancer clinical trials: A pilot test of lay navigation.

Background: Clinical trials (CT) represent an important treatment option for cancer patients. Unfortunately, patients face challenges to enrolling in CTs, such as logistical barriers, poor CT understanding and complex clinical regimens. Patient navigation is a strategy that may help to improve the delivery of CT education and support services.

Racial and Ethnic Group Knowledge, Perceptions and Behaviors about Human Papillomavirus, Human Papillomavirus Vaccination, and Cervical Cancer among Adolescent Females.

Study Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines provide an opportunity to greatly reduce the burden of cervical cancer. Although there has been improvement in uptake, there are notable ethnic/racial disparities. This qualitative study was conducted to better understand factors related to vaccine uptake among female adolescents from 3 racial/ethnic groups: African American (AA), Hispanic, and Caucasian.

Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads: A Systematic Review.

Background: As we learn about patient experiences with head and neck cancer, it is also important to consider caregivers so that family-centered care can be improved.

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to (a) identify the research questions, methods, and measures that have been examined in quality-of-life studies with head and neck cancer patients and their caregivers (dyads) and (b) identify gaps and future directions for research and practice.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases using keywords (head and neck cancer, caregiver, quality of life) and included studies that assessed quality of life-related constructs in both patients and caregivers.

Physician perspectives on colorectal cancer surveillance care in a changing environment.

The purpose of this formative qualitatively driven mixed-methods study was to refine a measurement tool for use in interventions to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance care. We employed key informant interviews to explore the attitudes, practices, and preferences of four physician specialties. A national survey, literature review, and expert consultation also informed survey development.

Feasibility of a web-based dementia feeding skills training program for nursing home staff.

Nursing home (NH) staff do not receive adequate training for providing feeding assistance to residents with dementia who exhibit aversive feeding behaviors (e.g., clamping mouth shut).

Colorectal Cancer Screening in US Seniors Ages 76-84 Years.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends patient-physician discussions about the appropriateness of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among adults ages 76-84 years who have never been screened. In this study, we used data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey to examine patterns of CRC screening and provider recommendation among seniors ages 76-84 years, and made some comparisons to younger adults. Nationally-representative samples of 1379 adults ages 76-84 years and 8797 adults ages 50-75 years responded to questions about CRC screening status, receipt of provider recommendation, and discussion of test options; 22.

A Formative Study of Colon Cancer Surveillance Care: Implications for Survivor-Centered Interventions.

Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States, and an increasing number of survivors has underscored the need for improved colon cancer surveillance care quality. Post-treatment surveillance includes follow-up care visits and tests as well as psychosocial support and lifestyle counseling. This formative study explored the individual, interpersonal, and organizational-level factors related to adherence to surveillance care guidelines to identify modifiable factors for potential educational intervention strategies.

Follow-up to abnormal cancer screening tests: considering the multilevel context of care.

The call for multilevel interventions to improve the quality of follow-up to abnormal cancer screening has been out for a decade, but published work emphasizes individual approaches, and conceptualizations differ regarding the definition of levels. To investigate the scope and methods being undertaken in this focused area of follow-up to abnormal tests (breast, colon, cervical), we reviewed recent literature and grants (2007-2012) funded by the National Cancer Institute. A structured search yielded 16 grants with varying definitions of "follow-up" (e.

A hospital discharge summary quality improvement program featuring individual and team-based feedback and academic detailing.

Background: Discharge summaries are an important component of hospital care transitions typically completed by interns in teaching hospitals. However, these documents are often not completed in a timely fashion or do not include pertinent details of hospitalization. This report outlines the development and impact of a curriculum intervention to improve the quality of discharge summaries by interns and residents in Internal Medicine.

A pilot randomized controlled trial testing a minimal intervention to prepare breast cancer survivors for recovery.

Background: Interventions addressing cancer survivors' posttreatment concerns can be time-intensive and require specialized staff. Research is needed to identify feasible minimal intervention strategies to improve survivors' quality of life after treatment.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and short-term impact of a minimal clinic intervention on breast cancer survivors' quality of life, unmet needs, distress, and cancer worry.

Challenges in efficacy research: the case of feeding alternatives in patients with dementia.

Aims: To explore factors at the family caregiver and nursing home administrative levels that may affect participation in a clinical trial to determine the efficacy of hand feeding vs. percutaneous gastrostomy tube feeding in persons with late-stage dementia.

Background: Decision-making regarding use of tube feeding vs.

"We both just trusted and leaned on the Lord": a qualitative study of religiousness and spirituality among African American breast cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Purpose: Most breast cancer (BC) survivorship research focuses on the general population of survivors. Scant research investigates the potentially unique experiences of minorities, especially during and after the difficult transition from primary treatment to post-treatment. This qualitative study explored African American BC survivors' and caregivers' quality-of-life in the post-treatment period with a focus on social and spiritual well-being.

Exploring dimensions of coping in advanced colorectal cancer: implications for patient-centered care.

Promoting patient-centered care from diagnosis to end of life requires a better understanding of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual coping factors in advanced cancer. Using qualitative methods, the authors explored diagnosis, care planning, and treatment experiences of individuals with metastatic colorectal cancer (N=26). The main physical factors salient to patients during all care phases included symptoms and physical functioning.

Cryotherapy and ankle motion in chronic venous disorders.

This study compared ankle range of motion (AROM) including dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion and eversion, and venous refill time (VRT) in leg skin inflamed by venous disorders, before and after a new cryotherapy ulcer prevention treatment. Fifty-seven-individuals participated in the randomized clinical trial; 28 in the experimental group and 29 received usual care only. Results revealed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and usual care groups although AROM measures in the experimental group showed a consistent, non-clinically relevant decrease compared to the usual care group except for dorsiflexion.

A mixed methods descriptive investigation of readiness to change in rural hospitals participating in a tele-critical care intervention.

Background: Telemedicine technology can improve care to patients in rural and medically underserved communities yet adoption has been slow. The objective of this study was to study organizational readiness to participate in an academic-community hospital partnership including clinician education and telemedicine outreach focused on sepsis and trauma care in underserved, rural hospitals.

Methods: This is a multi-method, observational case study.