A Direct Patient-Provider Relationship With the Medical Physicist Reduces Anxiety in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: The complex technological processes involved in radiation therapy can be intimidating to patients, causing increased treatment-related anxiety and reduced satisfaction. An intervention was implemented to provide direct consultations between patients and medical physicists to reduce patient anxiety and improve patient satisfaction. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to test the intervention's effect on anxiety, distress, treatment adherence, technical understanding, and satisfaction in patients receiving radiation therapy.

Use of 4MAT Learning Theory to Promote Better Skin Care During Radiation Therapy: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project.

Radiation therapy is a key treatment modality for cancer patients, but it is associated with adverse side effects such as radiation dermatitis. To mitigate the adverse effects of radiation on the skin, patients must participate in skin-related self-care. However, even with self-care instruction, adherence can be poor.

Pretreatment computed tomographic gross tumor volume as predictor of persistence of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube in patients undergoing larynx preservation.

Background: Although larynx preservation affords patients improvements in laryngectomy-free survival, little has been reported regarding the functional outcomes after larynx preservation. The purpose of this study was to report the predictive value of pretreatment CT-gross tumor volume (GTV) for persistence of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube in larynx preservation patients.

Methods: Each patient had a CT scan before initiation of therapy and the GTV was contoured.

Patient Preference for Instructional Reinforcement Regarding Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.

Background: Although patient preference is a core value within the context of patient-centered models of care, little attention has been paid to determining patient preference for instructional media. Nurses have traditionally used verbal face-to-face instruction as the mainstay of patient education, with written materials being used extensively as teaching guides to supplement verbal instruction or for instructional reinforcement. However, advances in technology have made possible the adding of video instruction to nurses' repertoire of instructional media.

Promoting adherence to skin care practices among patients receiving radiation therapy.

Background: The effects of radiation on the skin are particularly troublesome for patients and can result in impaired quality of life and an inability to perform activities of daily living. Skin care during radiation therapy is needed to prevent and treat radiation dermatitis. Patient adherence to prescribed skin care protocols is paramount to an optimal outcome but not always monitored closely.