Psychological Adjustment and Related Factors in Patients with Recurrence/Metastatic Lung Cancer after Curative Surgery.

The purpose of study was to clarify the psychological adjustment and related factors in lung cancer patients with recurrence/metastasis after curative surgery. Forty-one with lung cancer who were informed of a recurrence/metastasis after curative surgery completed a questionnaire comprised of the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC), Psychological Adjustment scale for Cancer Survivors (PACS), and information pertaining to demographic variables. When healthcare providers intervene in patients with lung cancer that has recurred/metastasized after curative surgery, it is necessary to assess patients' psychological adjustment based on demographic information, such as age, sex, marital status, and employment status, and to provide effective support promptly. Factors associated with psychological adjustment with recurrent/metastatic lung cancer after curative surgery were 1) female, 2) having a job, 3) over 65 years of age, 4) having a spouse, and 5) advanced-stage cancer. There was no difference in psychological adjustment between treatment and the period from cancer incidence to recurrence/metastatic. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 200-207, February, 2023.

Impact of a web-based educational program on Japanese nurses tobacco cessation practice and attitudes in oncology settings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a short web-based educational program on Japanese nurses' self-reported attitudes toward tobacco cessation and their use of interventions to help smokers to quit. DESIGN: Prospective, single-group design with a pre-educational survey, a short web-based educational program, and a follow-up survey at 3 months. METHODS: Clinical nurses were asked to view two prerecorded webcasts about helping smokers quit. They completed two online surveys, one at baseline and one at a 3-month follow-up. Generalized linear models were used to determine changes in nurses' self-reported routine practice after the study intervention. FINDINGS: A total of 1401 nurses responded to the baseline survey, 678 of whom completed the follow-up survey. Compared with baseline, nurses at follow-up were more likely to advise smokers to quit (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.15, 1.82]), assess patients' interest in quitting (OR = 1.46, 95% CI [1.01, 1.04]), and assist patients with smoking cessation (OR = 1.34, 95% CI [1.04, 1.72]). However, the proportion of nurses who consistently recommended resources for tobacco cessation did not significantly improve at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence that a web-based educational program can increase nurses' implementation of tobacco dependence interventions in cancer care practice. Sustaining these educational efforts could increase nurses' involvement in providing these interventions, encourage nurses to refer patients to cessation resources, and support nurses' attitudes towards their role in smoking cessation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our short web-based educational program can increase nurses' use of tobacco-dependence interventions in cancer care practice. This role can be enhanced with additional information about existing cessation resources that nurses could use to refer patients for support post-discharge. Japanese nurses, when properly educated, are willing and significant contributors to promote tobacco use cessation for cancer patients. The contribution can be facilitated through nursing care protocol that integrate tobacco use cessation interventions within evidence-based cancer care approaches.

The role of nurse administrators and managers in quality psychiatric care.

Psychiatric healthcare services in Japan demand continuous improvement to ensure quality care. Psychiatric nurse administrators and managers greatly influence the quality of services. To improve treatment, the following are considered necessary: clarification of service goal, proper assessment of treatment outcome, shortening of hospitalization, patient-centered care, establishment of trust relationships based on open communication with patients, and effective interdisciplinary teamwork. Additionally, administrators and managers must evaluate the clinical competence of individual nurses and appropriately assign them, especially when personnel shortage is an issue. Furthermore, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, nurse managers must provide optimal care by setting goals of psychiatric services for patients in acute, sub-acute, or convalescent phases. This article presents the roles of nurse administrators and managers in improving the quality of Japanese psychiatric healthcare services.