Practical study on the integration of life narratives into care services for cancer patients / 中国医学伦理学

This paper took the “see your life story” - volunteer service project of the cancer patient care program of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University as an example， and explored the application of life narrative in the care service of cancer patients. The project adopted the multi-dimensional volunteer service model of “doctors and nurses + volunteers + social workers + patient friends”，used the life narrative method， and guided the three groups of cancer patients， patient caregivers， and oncology medical staff to tell their life stories through medical volunteers. Finally， these life stories were delivered in diversified ways， such as physical picture books， interview stories， and sharing meetings. The connection between patients can be promoted in the form of sharing， so that patients and caregivers can get support， and truly achieve to impact life with life. This paper selected the cases in life story books， deeply analyzed the important role of life narrative in promoting the physical and mental recovery of cancer patients， as well as provided reference suggestions for improving patients’medical experience and promoting the cultural development of public hospitals.

Low-value Cancer Care Services:Connotation Analysis,Measurement Indicators,and Reduction Strategy / 中国卫生经济

Reducing low-value care is a key measure to optimize service model for cancer patients and improve the quality of and value of care.We summarizes the conceptual connotation of low-value medical services for cancer patients,compares the relevant measurement indicators at home and abroad,explains the logic of low-value medical services use for cancer patients at the three levels of"individual-institution-system",and proposes strategies for reducing low-value medical services for cancer patients in five aspects:construction of service value framework,dissemination of evaluation results,connection of drug access mechanisms,moni-toring of cancer care services,and empowering shared decision-making.

Percepción del impacto económico en pacientes con cáncer en un hospital de tercer nivel, La Paz - Bolivia: un estudio exploratorio cualitativo / Perception of the economic impact in patients diagnosed with cancer in a third level hospital, La Paz - Bolivia: a qualitative exploratory study

Los pacientes con cáncer experimentan además del impacto de la enfermedad, el impacto económico, y este es más evidente en los pacientes con escasos recursos económicos, los motivos son multifactoriales. OBJETIVO: describir la percepción sobre el impacto económico en los pacientes bolivianos con cáncer en el Hospital de Clínicas Universitario- La Paz. MÉTODOS: el diseño es cualitativo exploratorio, muestreo por bola de nieve, se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad dirigidas a pacientes con cáncer del hospital de Clínicas Universitario de La Paz- Bolivia entre diciembre de 2018 a febrero de 2019. RESULTADOS: se entrevistaron a 11 pacientes y 9 familiares. Se han identificado el impacto de los gastos en los pacientes con cáncer en las siguientes categorías: Ahorros y deudas, vivienda, trabajo, familia, tratamiento, esfera psicológica, gastos a futuro, y en el cuidado de otros enfermos en la casa. Las percepciones son variables, algunos pacientes muestran mayor preocupación por su economía que por su enfermedad, relatan además el cambio que significó en su económica recibir el diagnóstico de cáncer en distintas áreas. CONCLUSIÓN: se ha encontrado, en el presente trabajo, que la percepción del impacto económico para los pacientes con cáncer es multidimensional. Se ha evidenciado además, que el impacto depende del estadio de la enfermedad y del contexto social que vive el paciente, siendo este variable y dando como resultado necesidades de acompañamiento variable por parte de los equipos oncológicos

Cancer patients experience, is about disease´s and economic impact, and this impact is more evident in patients with limited economic resources in low-income countries, the reasons are multifactorial. OBJECTIVE: describe the perception of the economic impact on Bolivian patients with cancer at the Hospital de Clínicas Universitario-La Paz. METHODS: the design is qualitative and exploratory, sampling was by snowball, in-depth interviews were conducted at cancer patients at the Clínicas Universitario de La Paz hospital - Bolivia between December 2018 and February 2019. RESULTS: 11 patients and 9 family members were interviewed. The impact of expenses on cancer patients has been identified in the following categories: Savings and debts, housing, work, family, treatment, psychological sphere, future expenses, and caring for other patients at home. Perceptions are variable, some patients show more significant concern about their finances than about their illness, and they also report the change that receiving the diagnosis of cancer meant in their finances in different areas. CONCLUSION: in this investigation, the perception of economic impact on cancer patients is multidimensional. It has also been shown that the impact depends on the stage of the disease, and the social context in which the patient lives, this being variable and resulting in variable support needs from the oncology teams

Impact of IMADOKO, a Tool for Confirming the Current Status, in Decision-Making Support for Better Recuperation Places for Terminal Cancer Patients and Their Families

We devised IMADOKO as a tool to confirm the current status of terminal cancer patients and are using it in the home care team. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the actual state of end-of-life care to clarify the impact of IMADOKO on decision-making support for terminal cancer patients and their families. The subjects were 64patients (male/female, 38/26) before IMADOKO introduction, and 140 patients (male/female, 78/62) after the introduction, with an average age of 74 years in both cases and the primary lesions were the pancreas, lung, and the gastrointestinal tract. The rate of death at home increased significantly after the introduction of IMADOKO, compared to before. In the IMADOKO introduced group, IMADOKO was used in 108 patients and all their families. The use of IMADOKO for the patient was not related to the location of death, but it significantly improved communication between the patient and family, and between patient/patient's family and medical staff. It was shown that IMADOKO may be useful for decision-making support in choosing a better place of recuperation.

Factors Requiring Midazolam in Addition to Systemic Opioids to Control Dyspnea in Cancer Patients at the End of Life

Background: Factors requiring midazolam in addition to systemic opioids to control dyspnea in cancer patients have yet to be evaluated. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data for cancer patients who received systemic opioids to relieve dyspnea from April 2019 to July 2021 in Wakayama Medical University Hospital, Japan. Patients were divided into an opioid-alone group and an opioid plus midazolam group, according to the treatment of dyspnea. Results: The total of 107 patients included 85 patients (79.4%) in the opioid alone group and 22 patients (20.6%) in the opioid plus midazolam group. Age<60 years (p=0.004) and male sex (p=0.034) was significantly associated with the addition of midazolam. Multivariate analysis found age <60 years (OR=5.34, 95%CI: 1.66–17.21; p=0.005) was associated with the addition of midazolam. Conclusion: Age <60 years is factor requiring midazolam in addition to systemic opioids to control dyspnea in cancer patients.

Nutritional profile of cancer patients treated at an outpatient oncology center in the south region of Brazil

To evaluate the nutritional profile of cancer patients treated at an oncology center in South Brazil.This is a descriptive, exploratory and sectional study that was developed in a process that involved 100 patients aged between 18 and 75 years old, suffering from cancer.The anthropometric variables studied were weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle circumference (AMC),triceps skinfold (TSF) and corrected arm muscle area (cAMA). For subjective nutritional assessment, we used the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Nearly half of the patients evaluated had a critical need for nutritional intervention. There was a statistically significant association between cAMA and marital status, age and gender; between AC and age, gender and staging; between AMC and staging; between BMI and marital status and age; and between TSF and marital status. Patients diagnosed with IV stage had the lowest values for nutritional variables. There was no significant association between nutritional status of patients obtained by the PG-SGA instrument and sociodemographic characteristics. Malnutrition should be diagnosed as soon as possible,aiming at early intervention and improving survival and quality of life. Therefore, early nutritional assessment in cancer patients is required, combining subjective and objective methods.

Actual Usage of a Pamphlet for Families of Terminally Ill Patients With or Without Cancer at Home

Objective: The purposes of this study were to explore the actual usage of a pamphlet for families of terminally ill patients both with and without cancer at home. Methods: We sent a questionnaire to 2,000 home-visit nursing administrators and obtained answers from 430. This study included 224 pamphlet users. Results: The pamphlet was used with 95.1% of families of cancer patients and with 76.8% of families of non-cancer patients. Most pamphlet users were concerned with the following: degree of worry and anxiety of the family, and the family’s and the patient’s hope for an at home death (families of both cancer patients and non-cancer patients more than 84%). The pamphlet was given to about 60% of families of both cancer patients and non-cancer patients between last last week and last month of life. Administrators found it difficult to decide the appropriate timing to hand out the pamphlet to 59.6% of families of cancer patients and 69.7% of families of non-cancer patients. Conclusion: Pamphlet use may be improved by clarifying the appropriate timing to give out the pamphlet.

Espiritualidade nos cuidados paliativos de pacientes oncológicos / Spirituality in palliative care of oncological patients / Spiritualité dans les soins palliatifs des patients oncologiques / Espiritualidad en la atención paliativa del paciente oncológico

Resumo A espiritualidade como ferramenta aos cuidados paliativos de pacientes oncológicos vem sendo cada vez mais abordada no contexto acadêmico, como integrante da qualidade de vida. Este estudo analisa de que forma a espiritualidade pode influenciar positivamente no tratamento oncológico e em cuidados paliativos, e contribuir com a melhora da qualidade de vida destes pacientes. Foram selecionados 29 artigos nacionais que evidenciaram a espiritualidade como variável positiva no enfrentamento aos cuidados paliativos, tanto para paciente quanto familiares e equipe multidisciplinar. A espiritualidade é utilizada como ferramenta pela equipe de cuidados paliativos como auxiliadora na compreensão do impacto causado pelo diagnóstico e cuidado integral do paciente, possibilitando ao profissional psicólogo intervir sobre o paciente e sua rede. Ao paciente e sua família, a espiritualidade atua como estratégia de enfrentamento e conforto. Este estudo encontrou limitações acerca de pesquisas com pacientes infantis/adolescestes e sua família.

Abstract The spirituality as a tool in palliative healthcare of oncology patients, has been increasingly studied and approached in the academic context, as an integrant of life quality improvement. The present study aimed to analyze how spirituality can positively influence oncology treatment and palliative care and contribute to the quality of life improvement of these patients. Through this literature review and the inclusion criteria, there had been 29 articles selected. Spirituality is used as a tool by the CP team as an aid to understanding de impact caused by the diagnosis and full-time patient care, it enables the psychologist professional to assist and intervene fully about the patient and its network; on the patient and his family, the spirituality acts as a coping strategy, safety, and comfort. The present study has found limitations around the study in children, adolescents, and their network.

Resumé La spiritualité en tant qu'outil de soins palliatifs des patients atteints de cancer est de plus en plus abordée dans le contexte académique, dans le cadre de la qualité de vie. La présente étude visait à analyser comment la spiritualité peut influencer positivement le traitement du cancer et les soins palliatifs et contribuer à améliorer la qualité de vie de ces patients. Grâce à cette revue de la littérature, 29 articles ont été sélectionnés. La spiritualité est utilisée comme outil par l'équipe de soins palliatifs pour aider à comprendre l'impact provoqué par le diagnostic et la prise en charge globale du patient, permettant au psychologue professionnel d'intervenir sur le patient et son réseau; pour le patient et sa famille, la spiritualité agit comme une stratégie d'adaptation et de confort. La présente étude a révélé des limites concernant la recherche avec des patients enfants / adolescents et leur famille.

Resumen La espiritualidad como herramienta para los cuidados paliativos del paciente oncológico se ha abordado cada vez más en el contexto académico como parte de la calidad de vida. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar cómo la espiritualidad puede influir positivamente en el tratamiento del cáncer y los cuidados paliativos, así como contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Se seleccionaron 29 artículos brasileños que abordaron la espiritualidad como una variable positiva en el afrontamiento a los cuidados paliativos tanto para los pacientes como sus familias y el equipo multidisciplinario. La espiritualidad es utilizada por el equipo de cuidados paliativos como herramienta de ayuda en la comprensión del impacto que ocasiona el diagnóstico y la atención integral del paciente, permitiendo al psicólogo profesional intervenir sobre el paciente y su red. Para el paciente y su familia, la espiritualidad actúa como estrategia de afrontamiento y consuelo. El presente estudio encontró limitaciones con respecto a la investigación con pacientes niños/adolescentes y su familia.

Interacción comunicativa en salud. Comprensión de conceptos mínimos en pacientes oncológicos que asisten al Centro Asistencial Barros Luco (CAB / Communicative interaction in health. Compression of minimal concepts in cancer patients attending the Barros Luco Healthcare Center (CABL)

El presente estudio se centra en la importancia que tiene la interacción comunicativa entre médico y paciente durante el tratamiento del cáncer. El peso de la interacción recae en la comunicación efectiva desarrollada en las prácticas lingüísticas dentro de la medicina clínica. Aquí se aborda la comunicación en salud y se explica el grado de comprensión que el paciente oncológico tiene en torno a cuatro conceptos elementales: cáncer, metástasis, tipos de tumores y tipos de terapia, los que se expresaron para ellos en tres tipos de definiciones: técnica, acomodada y coloquial. Para esto se aplicó una encuesta sociolingüística mixta a 50 pacientes en el Hospital Barros Luco, en donde se observó que más del 50% de los pacientes comprende toda la información cuando esta se explica de manera técnica y, más del 70% incluso 80% comprende toda la información cuando se explica de una manera acomodada a la valoración del contexto, situación e interlocutores. Los resultados también indican que los médicos, según los pacientes entrevistados, explican con un lenguaje de código cerrado y, en ocasiones, simplemente no entregan la información. Según los resultados se puede concluir que la información previa junto con la experiencia comunicativa, entendida como una práctica social, ayudan a construir y representar una nueva realidad sociolingüística que coopera para que los pacientes oncológicos logren entender la información verbal, así como también el nuevo contexto social en el que se encuentran.

The present study focuses on the importance of the communicative interaction between doctor and patient during cancer treat-ment. The weight of the interaction falls on the effective communication developed in linguistic practices within clinical medicine. Here, health communication is addressed, and the degree of understanding that the cancer patient has around four elementary concepts been explained: cancer, metastasis, types of tumors, and types of therapy, which were expressed for them in three types of definitions: technical, well-off and colloquial. For this, a mixed sociolinguistic survey was applied to 50 patients at the Barros Luco Hospital, where it was observed that more than 50% of patients understand all the information when it is explained tech-nically, and more than 70% even 80% understand all the information when it is explained in a way adapted to the assessment of the context, situation, and interlocutors. The results also indicate that the doctors, according to the patients interviewed, explain with a closed code language and sometimes, simply do not provide the information. According to the results, it can be concluded that the previous information together with the communicative experience, understood as a social practice, help to build and represent a new sociolinguistic reality that cooperates so that cancer patients can understand verbal information, as well as the new context social where they are.

Study of a tooth gel formulation for hygiene and oral sequelae management in irradiated patients

Cervical-facial radiotherapy causes innumerable sequelae, being systemic or restricted to the oral environment. Theoral mucosa of these patients is profoundly compromised by radiotherapeutic treatment with or without chemotherapy,presenting several complications. Dentifrices containing sodium lauryl sulfate cause damage, as they lead to drynessof the mucosa. The objective of this work was to develop a dentifrice capable of minimizing xerostomia related toa lower abrasive effect, which was intended for hygiene, prevention of caries, control of dental biofilm, and toothsensitivity in cancer patients. The qualitative composition and physicochemical characteristics of ten dentifrices wereanalyzed, which enabled the preparation of the proposed formulation (PF) that was analyzed periodically for 180days. The quantitative analysis of spreadability not only indicated favorable behavior of the PF in relation to thepackaging and storage conditions but also revealed the need to raise the propylene glycol concentration in the PF toavoid the occurrence of syneresis after 60 days. Furthermore, pH data showed that the PF is compatible with the pHof oral homeostasis thus avoiding the occurrence of dental demineralization. It is suggested that the PF has a singularcomposition and physicochemical quality to be used as a suitable dentifrice for patients undergoing anticancer therapy