Characteristics of timely integration of palliative care into oncology hospital care for patients with incurable cancer: results of a Delphi Study.

Purpose: To identify elements of timely integration of palliative care (PC) into hospital oncology care from best practices. Thereafter, to assess the level of consensus among oncology and PC specialists and patient and relative representatives on the characteristics of timely integration of PC.

Methods: A three-round modified Delphi study was conducted.

Effects of prognostic communication strategies on emotions, coping, and appreciation of consultations: An experimental study in advanced cancer.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate effects of prognostic communication strategies on emotions, coping, and appreciation of consultations in advanced cancer.

Methods: For this experimental study, we created 8 videos of a scripted oncological consultation, only varying in prognostic communication strategies. Disease-naive individuals ( = 1036) completed surveys before and after watching 1 video, while imagining being the depicted cancer patient.

Open communication between patients and relatives about illness & death in advanced cancer-results of the eQuiPe Study.

Objective: To assess the degree of openness of communication about illness and death between patients with advanced cancer and their relatives during the last three months of the patient's life, and its association with relatives' characteristics and bereavement distress.

Methods: We used data from bereaved relatives of patients with advanced cancer from the prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational eQuipe study. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between the degree of openness of communication (measured using the validated Caregivers' Communication with patients about Illness and Death scale), the a priori defined characteristics of the relatives, and the degree of bereavement distress (measured using the Impact of Event Scale).

Effects of Prognostic Communication Strategies on Prognostic Perceptions, Treatment Decisions and End-Of-Life Anticipation in Advanced Cancer: An Experimental Study among Analogue Patients.

Context: Evidence-based guidance for oncologists on how to communicate prognosis is scarce.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of prognostic communication strategies (prognostic disclosure vs. communication of unpredictability vs.

Referrals to Palliative Care Services for Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: The increase in the incidence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to more hospital admissions and deaths, and coincided with an increased need for palliative care. The new circumstances required palliative care services to be flexible and to develop response strategies.

Aim: To synthesise studies including COVID-19 patients to gain insight into how many patients were referred to hospital-based palliative care services, the characteristics and palliative care needs of these patients and the reasons for referral.

Outcomes and Feasibility of an Occupational Care Programme (TERRA) to Support Work Ability of Rare and Advanced Cancer Patients: A Report of 7 Cases.

Introduction: Advancements in the field of oncology are allowing patients to live longer, with enhanced quality of life (QoL). Accordingly, more patients with cancer are expressing the desire to return to work (RTW). Previous research has indicated that patients with a rare or advanced cancer can experience unique problems in the RTW process.

Nursing assistants' perceptions and experiences with the emotional impact of providing palliative care: A qualitative interview study in nursing homes.

Aim: To gain insight into the perceived emotional impact of providing palliative care among nursing assistants in Dutch nursing homes, their strategies in coping with this impact and associated needs.

Design: Exploratory qualitative study.

Methods: In 2022, 17 semistructured interviews with nursing assistants working in Dutch nursing homes were conducted.

Clinicians' experiences with cancer patients living longer with incurable cancer: a focus group study in the Netherlands.

Aim: To explore (1) experiences of primary care physicians (PCPs) and oncological medical specialists about providing care to patients living longer with incurable cancer, and (2) their preferences concerning different care approaches (palliative support, psychological/survivorship care support).

Background: At present, oncological medical specialists as well as PCPs are exploring how to improve and better tailor care to patients living longer with incurable cancer. Our previous study at the in-patient oncology unit showed that patients living longer with incurable cancer experience problems in how to deal with a prognosis that is insecure and fluctuating.

Quality of care and quality of life as experienced by patients with advanced cancer of a rare tumour type: results of the multicentre observational eQuiPe study.

Purpose: Patients with a rare cancer face difficulties during their disease trajectory, such as delayed diagnosis and lack of expert care. However, little is known about their perceived quality of care (QoC) and quality of life (QoL) in the advanced disease stage. We aimed to assess the QoC and QoL as experienced by patients with advanced rare cancers compared to patients with advanced common cancers.

Experiences and perspectives of patients with advanced cancer regarding work resumption and work retention: a qualitative interview study.

Purpose: Being able to work improves the quality of life of patients with cancer. Much is known about the return to work process of cancer survivors. Yet, studies focusing on the experiences of patients with advanced cancer who want to return to work or stay employed are scarce.

Work resumption and retention in patients with advanced cancer: Experiences and perspectives of general and occupational health care professionals.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to explore the experiences and perspectives of general and occupational health care professionals regarding work resumption and work retention of patients with advanced cancer, and to identify barriers and facilitators these professionals may encounter.

Methods: A qualitative design was applied, and individual semistructured interviews were conducted. General and occupational health care professionals were eligible to participate if they were involved in the work participation guidance of patients with advanced cancer, and were recruited through the network of the research team.

Trends in Palliative Care Telephone Consultation Support for Health Care Professionals: A Dutch Nationwide Registry between 2004 and 2019.

Regional palliative care consultation (PCC) teams aim to support health care professionals by telephone in providing quality palliative care (PC) in the Netherlands. The study aims to assess trends in the number and characteristics of PC telephone consultations in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2019. A retrospective observational study reviewed data from the Dutch national register for PC consultations by telephone (PRADO).

Clinicians' perceptions of the emotional impact of providing palliative care: A qualitative interview study.

Objectives: Many aspects of palliative care, such as managing (complicated) symptoms, conducting goals-of-care conversations, and repeated exposure to loss, can be stressful to clinicians. Previous research on the emotional impact of providing palliative care was mainly done in specialist settings. However, the majority of palliative care is provided by clinicians who are not specialized in palliative care, and can be supported by palliative care specialists only when needed.

Rare cancer and return to work: experiences and needs of patients and (health care) professionals.

Purpose: Patients with a rare cancer often face delays in their diagnostic and treatment trajectory, which may affect their work. In this study, we explored experiences and needs of: 1) patients with a rare cancer regarding return to work (RTW) and work retention, and 2) (health care) professionals (HCPs) regarding work-related support of patients with a rare cancer, throughout their disease trajectory.

Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with working-age patients with a rare cancer ( = 16), and HCPs ( = 9) were conducted.

Quality of life and quality of care as experienced by patients with advanced cancer and their relatives: A multicentre observational cohort study (eQuiPe).

Aim: This study aims to assess the quality of life and quality of care as experienced by patients with advanced cancer and their relatives while taking their interdependency into account.

Methods: A prospective multicentre observational study (eQuiPe study) was conducted. Quality of life scores (EORTC QLQ-C30) was compared to a matched normative population and logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relation between high emotional functioning (EF, measured with the EORTC QLQ-C30) and experienced quality of care (IN-PATSAT32, CQ-index PC).

Treatment decision-making during outpatient clinic visit of patients with esophagogastric cancer. The perspectives of clinicians and patients, a mixed method, multiple case study.

Background: The probability of undergoing treatment with curative intent according to the hospital of diagnosis varies for esophagogastric cancer in the Netherlands. Little is known about the factors contributing to this variation. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the differences between the multidisciplinary team meeting treatment proposal and the treatment that was actually carried out and to qualitatively investigate the differences in treatment decision-making after the multidisciplinary team meeting treatment proposal between hospitals.

Self-care, resilience, and caregiver burden in relatives of patients with advanced cancer: results from the eQuiPe study.

Purpose: Relatives are often involved in caregiving for patients with advanced cancer and carry a heavy burden. Self-care and resilience might be beneficial to enhance their wellbeing and burden-bearing capacity. This study assessed the engagement in self-care and resilience in relatives of patients with advanced cancer and its association with their caregiver burden.

Healthcare Professionals' Work-Related Stress in Palliative Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Context: Providing palliative care can lead to work-related stress and ultimately to burnout. The need for palliative care will further increase due to population aging and people living longer with life-threatening diseases. Therefore, a healthy palliative care workforce is vital.

Shared Perspectives of Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Informal Caregivers on Essential Aspects of Health Care: A Qualitative Study.

The aim of this study is to explore the essential aspects of health care according to patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers by using a dyadic approach. Seven focus groups and 7 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Patients with advanced cancer and informal caregivers were recruited between January 2017 and June 2017 in 6 Dutch hospitals.

Prospective cohort study of patients with advanced cancer and their relatives on the experienced quality of care and life (eQuiPe study): a study protocol.

Background: Palliative care is becoming increasingly important because the number of patients with an incurable disease is growing and their survival is improving. Previous research tells us that early palliative care has the potential to improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer and their relatives. According to limited research on palliative care in the Netherlands, patients with advanced cancer and their relatives find current palliative care suboptimal.

Humour and laughing in patients with prolonged incurable cancer: an ethnographic study in a comprehensive cancer centre.

Purpose: Most people are familiar with the expression 'laughter is the best medicine'. By enhancing cognitive flexibility and strengthening relationships, laughter can be considered a holistic care-approach. Yet, in medical oncology, especially the palliative phase, using humour can be considered inappropriate or taboo.

Regional variation in hospital care at the end-of-life of Dutch patients with lung cancer exists and is not correlated with primary and long-term care.

Objective: To examine the regional variation in hospital care utilization in the last 6 months of life of Dutch patients with lung cancer and to test whether higher degrees of hospital utilization coincide with less general practitioner (GP) and long-term care use.

Design: Cross-sectional claims data study.

Setting: The Netherlands.

Experiences and needs of patients with incurable cancer regarding advance care planning: results from a national cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: Patients faced with incurable cancer may experience a lack of support from their physician throughout and after treatment. Studies on the needs and experiences of these patients are scarce. In this study, we explored the needs and experiences of patients diagnosed with incurable cancer regarding the conversation, in which they were told that their cancer was incurable, the care received after this conversation, and their preferences regarding end-of-life conversations.