Author of

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  P2.09 - Poster Session/ Nursing and Allied Professionals (ID 227)

  • Event: WCLC 2015
  • Type: Poster
  • Track: Nursing and Allied Professionals
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 9/08/2015, 09:30 - 17:00, Exhibit Hall (Hall B+C)

  • 14702

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    P2.09-005 - Living With Lung Cancer - Preferred Sources of Patient Support and Information: The Papworth Experience (ID 1607)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): G. Howell
    • Abstract
    • Slides

    Background:
    Support groups can help to improve patients' coping and mental adjustment to a cancer diagnosis and treatment. They have also been shown to have a positive impact on psychological wellbeing and reduce anxiety and depression. However, at Papworth Hospital (a regional cardio-thoracic centre), it became increasingly difficult to recruit patients to the lung cancer support group. Consequently, before starting any new initiative, the decision was made to disband the group in December 2013 and to identify alternative and beneficial ways of supporting patients.
    
    Methods:
    With patient user involvement, a questionnaire was designed Living with lung cancer - how can we help you? From 12/05/2014 to 30/05/2014, 100 questionnaires were distributed to all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer who attended a thoracic oncology outpatient clinic. Responses were anonymous and returned to a secure box for review in the audit department.
    
    Results:
    81% of the questionnaires were returned. Patients were referred to Papworth from 8 different hospitals in the region. 79% were over 60 years old at diagnosis. 84% recorded a diagnosis within the last 4 years, the remaining recording diagnosis back to 2001. Since diagnosis, the most useful sources of information are listed below as recorded by the patients (please note more than one answer could be selected):

    Family/ friends	38
    Hospital doctor	62
    LCNS / key worker	60
    GP	32
    District nurses	9
    Macmillan nurses	9
    Hospice	3
    Cancer Centre	3

    Of those diagnosed within the last 12 months the Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist (LCNS) was the most useful source of information. The questionnaire proposed a number of topics that might be included in some form of additional support of which 34% were interested. The most common request was for information on symptom control (breathlessness and fatigue), relaxation techniques and treatment options. The questionnaire suggested a number of different formats for providing additional support. Of the 27 respondents, 15 (55%) preferred telephone support from a LCNS.
    
    Conclusion:
    The LCNS plays a pivotal role in providing relevant information and support. The challenge is to find new and innovative ways that will help to optimize patients’ psychosocial as well as physical wellbeing. Consideration will be given to increasing telephone support to signpost patients to appropriate information on treatment options and symptom control. We plan to audit the effectiveness of LCNS telephone consultations to ascertain the impact on patient wellbeing. Different types of relaxaion techniques such as yoga classes will be explored. Co-ordination of information management within a large geographical area, incorporating many hospitals and local community facilities, is essential.
    
    

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