The development of medical infographics to raise symptom awareness and promote communication to patients with cancer: A co-creation study.

Objective: The study aims to develop medical infographics that have a potential to raise symptom awareness and promote symptom communication between patients diagnosed with cancer and healthcare professionals. Methods: This study comprised four phases: 1) development of medical infographics, 2) user testing with healthcare professionals and patients, 3) selection of specific medical infographics, and 4) interviews on these specific medical infographics with patients using the think-aloud method. Results: Design students created 22 medical infographics conveying information about six symptoms and concerns. Patients (n = 28) with cancer said that the colourful infographics evoked individual emotional responses and associations, and they facilitated their narratives of experiences with symptoms. Healthcare professionals (n = 29) thought the infographics were eye-catching and may promote dialogue on symptoms. Conclusions: The design of medical infographics must target a specific population. When introduced, the use of medical infographics may be influenced by the physical surroundings. Medical infographics can facilitate symptom communication by creating symptom awareness and providing patients with the vocabulary to describe their symptoms and concerns. Innovation: Medical infographics are engaging visual messages with the potential to help prepare cancer patients to communicate their symptom experiences and reduce the feeling of being alone in experiencing certain symptoms.

Experiences and perspectives of patients and clinicians in nurse-led clinics in an oncological setting: A sequential multi-methods study.

PURPOSE: The aim is to explore patient satisfaction with nurse-led consultations and the health care professionals' experiences on the expanded scope of nursing practice. METHODS: A sequential multi-methods study is comprised of a study-specific questionnaire to patients with gynecological- or breast cancer followed by a survey among the involved physicians. Finally, two focus group interviews explored the perspectives of clinical nurse specialists. RESULTS: Study participants were patients (n = 109), physicians (n = 12) and clinical nurse specialists (n = 10). Patients expressed that their concerns and questions were addressed, and even sensitive and very personal issues were discussed. They reported that they were able to follow self-management strategies to cope with side effects (89.8%) and emotional reactions (68.8%). The clinical nurse specialists described how they sought to embrace a person-centred approach in the consultations. The expanded scope of nursing practice resulted in enhanced feelings of professionalism. The physicians appreciated the clinical nurse specialists' skills and competencies and were comfortable referring patients to nurse-led consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-led consultations are in a pivotal position to establish a culture for person-centred nursing practice. We recommend developing a strategy for implementation of nurse-led consultations and to clarify and align expectations between the involved. Nurse-led consultations have the potential to offer quality-of-care and increase clinical nurse specialists' professional identity and job satisfaction.