A Cost-Effectiveness Model to Determine Ostomy-Related Costs of Care and Health Outcomes Among People With an Ostomy in Canada Using a Ceramide-Infused Skin Barrier.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether a difference exists in the financial impact of the use of a 2-piece ceramide-infused skin barrier (CIB) versus standard of care barrier (SOC) in Ontario and Alberta using a cost-effectiveness model over a 1-year period for people with a fecal or urinary ostomy.

Design: A cost-effectiveness model adapted from a previously published work.

Subjects And Setting: The model was populated with data inputs from a hypothetical cohort of 1000 individuals in Ontario and 4000 in Alberta.

The Fatigue Pictogram: assessing the psychometrics of a new screening tool.

Fatigue is one of the most distressing side effects of cancer for patients, yet clinicians often do not focus on it during busy clinic appointments. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new instrument designed to quickly identify patients experiencing difficulties with fatigue. The evaluation was conducted with a mixed group of 220 patients receiving chemotherapy.

The fatigue pictogram: psychometric evaluation of a new clinical tool.

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent side effects of cancer, yet clinicians may not focus on it during busy clinic appointments. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new two-item instrument designed to quickly identify patients experiencing difficulties with fatigue. The evaluation was conducted with 190 lung cancer patients attending ambulatory clinics.

Exploring patient experiences and self-initiated strategies for living with cancer-related fatigue.

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects of cancer for patients. It threatens quality of life and can interfere with daily living. Systematic approaches for assessing and intervening are recommended for implementation in many cancer centres.

The impact of psychosocial need and needs resolution on quality of life in patients with brain tumors.

The diagnosis of cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) is often the diagnosis of an incurable, progressive disease with devastating effects on the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning of patients. Because many of the treatment options are noncurative in nature, issues related to quality and quantity of life become paramount. The purpose of the authors' research was to explore the prevalence of psychosocial needs in this cancer population and to determine whether these needs and their resolution impact on quality of life (QOL).

The Initial Health Assessment: an intervention to identify the supportive care needs of cancer patients.

Background: The first step in effective supportive care delivery is an assessment of patient needs. The Initial Health Assessment Form (IHA) was developed to aid clinicians in recognition and documentation of a patient's supportive care needs during their first visit to a comprehensive cancer centre. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of this instrument as compared to routine practice.

Cancer nursing in Ontario: defining nursing roles.

The delivery of cancer care in Ontario is facing unprecedented challenges. Shortages in nursing, as in all professional disciplines, are having an impact on the delivery of cancer care. Oncology nurses have a major role to play in the delivery of optimum cancer care.

Factors that influence the recruitment of patients to Phase III studies in oncology: the perspective of the clinical research associate.

Background: The multiple determinants of a patient's decision to enter into a clinical trial have been explored largely from the perspectives of patients and their physicians. Little research has involved clinical research associates (CRAs) formally, despite their central role in the process of recruitment. The current study was initiated to explore the factors that influence the decision of patients with cancer regarding clinical trial entry, specifically from the perspective of the CRA.

Planning psychosocial care for cancer patients: if at first you don't succeed, shift your paradigm.

Concerned with our capacity to bridge the gap between patients' and families' psychosocial needs and the services provided, we developed a psychosocial intake and referral service. This paper will describe the lessons learned in trying to introduce an innovation whose time had not yet come and, after analyzing the outcome, to present a new approach to planning. The service was not approved and, on reflection, eight factors were identified as contributing to the failure of the service to reach fruition.

Identifying the psychosocial needs of individuals with cancer.

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer creates psychosocial needs that patients often find difficult to resolve. Because most need assessments do not reach beyond enumerating needs to examine barriers to needs resolution, existing social supports or patients' service preferences, we set out to develop a needs assessment inventory to meet these objectives. The first step was to identify need categories using a qualitative methodology.

Identifying the nonmedical concerns of patients with ocular melanoma.

1. The task of enhancing patients' quality of life begins with identifying their needs and concerns. This process requires a knowledge base of the needs, problems, and barriers patients face as they struggle with the physical, psychological, and social sequelae of cancer.

Improving ambulatory oncology nursing practice. An innovative educational approach.

To meet the educational needs of ambulatory oncology nurses, an innovative and flexible program was created at a major cancer institute in Canada. Utilizing adult learning principles, standards of nursing practice, and departmental goals, the Clinical Nurse Specialists and Clinical Teachers creatively approached the need for extensive education. Five site specific educational workshops were provided to the nursing staff utilizing a self-directed learning style to capture the varied experiences, educational background, and motivations of the staff.