• Title/Summary/Keyword: Oncology patient

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Database for Patient Information Management in Radiation Oncology Department

  • Lim, Sangwook;Kim, Kyubo;Ahn, Sohyun;Lee, Sang Hoon;Lee, Rena;Cho, Samju
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.23-28
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to build a database of patient information for efficient radiotherapy management. Microsoft Office Access was used to build the database owing to its convenience and compatibility. The most important aspect when building the patient database is to make the input and management of patient information efficient at every step of radiotherapy process. The information input starts from the patient's first visit to the radiation therapy department and ends upon completion of the radiotherapy. The forms for each step of radiotherapy process include the patient information form, the radiotherapy schedule form, the radiotherapy information form, the simulation order form, and the patient history form. Every form is centrically connected to the radiation oncology department's patient information form. A test revealed that the database was found to be efficient in managing patient information at each step. An important benefit of this database is improved efficiency in radiotherapy management. Information on patients who received radiotherapy is stored in a database. This means that this clinical data can be found easily and used in future, which will be helpful in research studies on the radiation oncology department. Benefits such as these will potentially contribute to improved radiotherapy quality.

Significant fibrosis after radiation therapy in a patient with Marfan syndrome

  • Suarez, Eva M.;Knackstedt, Rebecca J.;Jenrette, Joseph M.
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.208-212
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    • 2014
  • Marfan syndrome is one of the collagen vascular diseases that theoretically predisposes patients to excessive radiation-induced fibrosis yet there is minimal published literature regarding this clinical scenario. We present a patient with a history of Marfan syndrome requiring radiation for a diagnosis of a right brachial plexus malignant nerve sheath tumor. It has been suggested that plasma transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$) can be monitored as a predictor of subsequent fibrosis in this population of high risk patients. We therefore monitored the patient's TGF-${\beta}1$ level during and after treatment. Despite maintaining stable levels of plasma TGF-${\beta}1$, our patient still developed extensive fibrosis resulting in impaired range of motion. Our case reports presents a review of the literature of patients with Marfan syndrome requiring radiation therapy and the limitations of serum markers on predicting long-term toxicity.

Patient-Centredness, Job Satisfaction and Psychological Distress: a Brief Survey Comparing Oncology Nurses and Doctors

  • Chan, Caryn Mei Hsien;Ahmad, Wan Azman Wan;Yusof, Mastura MD;Ho, Gwo Fuang;Krupat, Edward
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.16
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    • pp.6895-6898
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    • 2015
  • Background: We aimed to explore whether levels of patient-centredness, job satisfaction and psychological distress varied between oncology nurses and doctors. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires, a total of 24 nurses and 43 doctors were assessed for patient-centredness, psychological distress, and job satisfaction using the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Job Satisfaction Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and MANCOVA, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Overall response rate was 95.6% (43/45) for physicians and 85.7% (24/28) for nurses. Even after adjusting for known covariates, our principal finding was that doctors reported greater psychological distress compared to nurses (p=0.009). Doctors also reported lower job satisfaction compared to nurses (p = 0.017), despite higher levels of patient-centredness found in nurses (p=0.001). Findings may be explained in part by differences in job characteristics and demands. Conclusions: Mental health is an important concern not just in cancer patients but among healthcare professionals in oncology.

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Patient Safety Violation Scale in Medical Oncology Units in Iran

  • Shali, Mahboobeh;Ghaffari, Fatemeh;Joolaee, Soodabeh;Ebadi, Abbas
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.9
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    • pp.4341-4347
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    • 2016
  • Background: Patient safety is one of the key components of nursing care for cancer cases. Valid and reliable context-based instruments are necessary for accurate evaluation of patient safety in oncology units. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Patient Safety Violation Scale in medical oncology units in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this methodological study, a pool of 58 items was generated through reviewing the existing literature. The validity of the 58-item scale was assessed through calculating impact score, content validity ratio, and content validity index for its items as well as conducting exploratory factor analysis. The reliability of the scale was evaluated by assessing its internal consistency and testretest stability. Study sample consisted of 300 oncology nurses who were recruited from thirteen teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Results: Sixteen items were excluded from the scale due to having low impact scores, content validity ratios, or content validity indices. In exploratory factor analysis, the remaining 42 items were loaded on five factors including patient fall, verification of patientidentity, harm during care delivery, delay in care delivery, and medication errors. These five factors explained 62% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha of the scale and the test-retest interclass correlation coefficient were equal to 0.933 and 0.92, respectively. Conclusions: The 42-item Patient Safety Violation Scale is a simple and short scale which has acceptable validity and reliability. Consequently, it can be used for assessing patient safety in clinical settings such as medical oncology units and for research projects.

Geometric Evaluation of Patient-Specific 3D Bolus from 3D Printed Mold and Casting Method for Radiation Therapy

  • An, Hyun Joon;Kim, Myeong Soo;Kim, Jiseong;Son, Jaeman;Choi, Chang Heon;Park, Jong Min;Kim, Jung-in
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.32-38
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    • 2019
  • Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the geometrical accuracy of a patient-specific bolus based on a three-dimensional (3D) printed mold and casting method. Materials and Methods: Three breast cancer patients undergoing treatment for a superficial region were scanned using computed tomography (CT) and a designed bolus structure through a treatment planning system (TPS). For the fabrication of patient-specific bolus, we cast harmless certified silicone into 3D printed molds. The produced bolus was also imaged using CT under the same conditions as the patient CT to acquire its geometrical shape. We compared the shapes of the produced bolus with the planned bolus structure from the TPS by measuring the average distance between two structures after a surface registration. Results and Conclusions: The result of the average difference in distance was within 1 mm and, as the worst case, the absolute difference did not exceed ${\pm}2mm$. The result of the geometric difference in the cross-section profile of each bolus was approximately 1 mm, which is a similar property of the average difference in distance. This discrepancy was negligible in affecting the dose reduction. The proposed fabrication of patient-specific bolus is useful for radiation therapy in the treatment of superficial regions, particularly those with an irregular shape.

An effective patient training for deep inspiration breath hold technique of left-sided breast on computed tomography simulation procedure at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

  • Oonsiri, Puntiwa;Wisetrinthong, Metinee;Chitnok, Manatchanok;Saksornchai, Kitwadee;Suriyapee, Sivalee
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.201-206
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    • 2019
  • Purpose: To observe the effectiveness of the practical instruction sheet and the educational video for left-sided breast treatment in a patient receiving deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique. Two parameters, simulation time and patient satisfaction, were assessed through the questionnaire. Methods: Two different approaches, which were the instruction sheet and educational video, were combinedly used to assist patients during DIBH procedures. The guideline was assigned at least 1 week before the simulation date. On the simulation day, patients would fill the questionnaire regarding their satisfaction with the DIBH instruction. The questionnaire was categorized into five levels: extremely satisfied to dissatisfied, sequentially. The patients were divided into four groups: not DIBH technique, DIBH without instruction materials, the DIBH with instruction sheet or educational video, and DIBH with both of instruction sheet and educational video. Results: Total number of 112 cases of left-sided breast cancer were analyzed. The simulation time during DIBH procedure significantly reduced when patients followed the instruction. There was no significant difference in simulation time on the DIBH procedures between patient compliance via instruction sheet or educational video or even following both of them. The excellent level was found at 4.6 ± 0.1 and 4.5 ± 0.1, for patients coaching via instruction sheet as well as on the educational video, respectively. Conclusion: Patient coaching before simulation could potentially reduce the lengthy time in the simulation process for DIBH technique. Practicing the DIBH technique before treatment is strongly advised.

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

  • Li, Xing;Dong, Min;Wen, Jing-Yun;Wei, Li;Ma, Xiao-Kun;Xing, Yan-Fang;Deng, Yun;Chen, Zhan-Hong;Chen, Jie;Ruan, Dan-Yun;Lin, Ze-Xiao;Wang, Tian-Tian;Wu, Dong-Hao;Liu, Xu;Hu, Hai-Tao;Lin, Jia-Yu;Li, Zhuang-Hua;Liu, Yuan-Chao;Xia, Qing;Jia, Chang-Chang;Wu, Xiang-Yuan;Lin, Qu
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.15
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    • pp.6311-6316
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    • 2015
  • Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

Running of high patient volume radiation oncology department during COVID-19 crisis in India: our institutional strategy

  • Gupta, Manoj;Ahuja, Rachit;Gupta, Sweety;Joseph, Deepa;Pasricha, Rajesh;Verma, Swati;Pandey, Laxman
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.93-98
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: Due to COVID 19 pandemic, the treatment of cancer patients has become a dilemma for every oncologist. Cancer patients are at an increased risk of immunosuppression and have a higher risk to acquire any infection. There are individual experiences from some centers regarding the management of cancer patients during such a crisis. So we have developed our institutional strategy to balance between COVID and cancer management. Materials and Methods: Radiation Oncology departmental meeting was held to prepare a consensus document on Radiotherapy schedules and department functioning during this pandemic. Results: Strategies were taken in form of following areas were steps need to be taken to decrease risk of infection, categorise treatment on the basis of priority, radiotherapy schedules modification, academic meetings and management of COVID positive patient/personnel in Radiation Oncology department. Conclusion: We hope to strike the balance in overcoming both the battles and emerge as winners. Stringent long term follow up will be done for assessing the response or any unforeseen treatment related sequelae.