Cancer and the family: assessment, communication and brief interventions-the development of an educational programme for healthcare professionals when a parent has cancer.

Objective: This study developed and piloted an educational intervention to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) to provide supportive care for families when a parent has cancer.

Methods: Programme development followed the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework, beginning with examination of theory and research, and consultation with experts. The programme content incorporated attachment theory, child development and family systems theory.

Exploring the views of patients with cancer on what makes a good nurse--a pilot study.

This article presents and discusses findings from a qualitative pilot study that surveyed patients with cancer to discover their views on what makes a good nurse. Ten outpatients at a U.K.

Using heat therapy for pain management.

Many patients with chronic pain use some form of heat application in the home environment and frequently wish to continue using these heat therapies if admitted to hospital. This article provides an overview of the use of heat therapy with patients in the hospital setting and identifies some of the safety issues involved.