Using Linked Data for polarity classification of patients’ experiences

Polarity classification is the main subtask of sentiment analysis and opinion mining, well-known problems in natural language processing that have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Existing approaches mainly rely on the subjective part of text in which sentiment is expressed explicitly through specific words, called sentiment words. These approaches, however, are still far from being good in the polarity classification of patients’ experiences since they are often expressed without any explicit expression of sentiment, but an undesirable or desirable effect of the experience implicitly indicates a positive or negative sentiment.This paper presents a method for polarity classification of patients’ experiences of drugs using domain knowledge. We first build a knowledge base of polar facts about drugs, called FactNet, using extracted patterns from Linked Data sources and relation extraction techniques. Then, we extract generalized semantic patterns of polar facts and organize them into a hierarchy in order to overcome the missing knowledge issue. Finally, we apply the extracted knowledge, i.e., polar fact instances and generalized patterns, for the polarity classification task. Different from previous approaches for personal experience classification, the proposed method explores the potential benefits of polar facts in domain knowledge aiming to improve the polarity classification performance, especially in the case of indirect implicit experiences, i.e., experiences which express the effect of one entity on other ones without any sentiment words.Using our approach, we have extracted 9703 triplets of polar facts at a precision of 92.26 percent. In addition, experiments on drug reviews demonstrate that our approach can achieve 79.78 percent precision in polarity classification task, and outperforms the state-of-the-art sentiment analysis and opinion mining methods.     

An evaluation of a therapeutic radiographer led “sexual care after radiotherapy” clinic

IntroductionChanges to sexuality and intimacy are a common consequence of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Difficulties with sexual functioning and body image have been reported in over 50% of those treated for pelvic malignancies or breast cancer. The provision of sexual care support after radiotherapy is not adequately addressed by oncology professionals yet patients who have the opportunity to discuss sexual issues experience reduced sexual morbidity. This paper describes the evaluation and patient satisfaction of a novel and innovative clinic led by therapeutic radiographers for the management of sexual dysfunction.MethodQuantitative data was collected from NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT) patient questionnaires to assess how patients rated the service on a scale from not likely to extremely likely to recommend the service. A qualitative, thematic analysis of the comments provided insight into patient satisfaction and experience.ResultsOverall, 33 patients attended the clinic from 2019 to 2020. An 82% return rate of FFT questionnaire's showed 94% of patients were extremely likely and 6% were likely to recommend the service. Three emergent themes were the quality of information provision, the conduct of the staff member and the consultation experience. Patients stated that they were given a range of solutions and many cited a better understanding of their sexual issues.ConclusionSexual function is an important component of quality of life and sexual dysfunction can cause on-going distress, interfering with recovery. This clinic offers an opportunity to discuss issues and provides an important mechanism of support for patients to live with and beyond their cancer diagnosis.Implications for practiceOncology professionals should receive training and education to raise sexual issues with their patients and ensure relevant services are provided.     

Comorbid depression in surgical cancer patients associated with non-routine discharge and readmission

ObjectiveTo characterize the rates of depression across primary cancer sites, and determine the effects of comorbid depression among surgical cancer patients on established quality of care indicators, non-routine discharge and readmission.MethodsPatients undergoing surgical resection for cancer were selected from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010–2014). Multivariable analysis adjusted for patient and hospital level characteristics to ascertain the effect of depression on post-operative outcomes and 30-day readmission rates. Non-routine discharge encompasses discharge to skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and intermediate care facilities, as well as discharge home with home health services.ResultsAmong 851,606 surgically treated cancer patients, 8.1% had a comorbid diagnosis of depression at index admission (n = 69,174). Prevalence of depression was highest among patients with cancer of the brain (10.9%), female genital organs (10.9%), and lung (10.5%), and lowest among those with prostate cancer (4.9%). Depression prevalence among women (10.9%) was almost twice that of men (5.7%). Depression was associated with non-routine discharge after surgery (OR 1.20, CI:1.18–1.23, p < 0.0001*) and hospital readmission within 30 days (OR 1.12, CI:1.09–1.15, p < 0.001*).ConclusionRates of depression vary amongst surgically treated cancer patients by primary tumor site. Comorbid depression in these patients is associated with increased likelihood of non-routine discharge and readmission.     

Shifts in patients’ question-asking behaviour between 2007 and 2016: An observational study of video-recorded general practice consultations

ObjectiveTo gain insight into patient participation in general practice by examining if and how patients’ question-asking behaviour has changed over the years (2007–2016).MethodsA random set of real-life video-recorded consultations collected in 2015–2016 (n = 437) was observed and compared with that of a former study in 2007–2008 (n = 533). Patients’ question-asking behaviour was coded using an adapted RIAS protocol containing six categories: medical condition/therapeutic regimen; psychosocial; social context; lifestyle; ask for opinion doctor; practical. GPs and patients completed questionnaires about their background characteristics. Data were analysed using multi-level analysis.ResultsPatients asked fewer questions in 2016 than in 2007. The type of question-asking behaviour changed significantly: in particular medical questions decreased while practical questions increased. Less educated patients asked significantly more practical questions than higher educated patients.ConclusionContrary to our expectations, patients’ question-asking has decreased in 2016 compared to 2007, while the average consultation length has increased. The type of questions shifted from medical to practical, especially in less educated patients. It seems that GPs’ professional role has expanded over time, since patients nowadays ask their GP more non-medical questions.Practice implicationsGPs probably could continue facilitating patient involvement by more frequently using partnership-building and supportive communication.     

Cómo y cuándo derivar un paciente con cefalea primaria y neuralgia craneofacial desde Urgencias y Atención Primaria: recomendaciones del Grupo de Estudio de Cefalea de la Sociedad Española de Neurología

IntroductionWhen a patient is diagnosed with primary headache or craniofacial neuralgia in the emergency department or in primary care, and is referred to a neurologist due to the complexity of the case, it is useful to know whether additional examination should be sought and the priority (urgent, preferential or normal) with which the patient should be seen. This will avoid unnecessary delays in patients with disabling headache and where organic causes are suspected.In order to issue recommendations on this matter, the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group has decided to create a series of agreed recommendations constituting a referral protocol for patients with headache and/or craniofacial neuralgia.DevelopmentYoung neurologists with an interest and experience in headache were invited to draft a series of practical guidelines in collaboration with Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group Executive Committee. For practical reasons, the document was divided into 2 articles: this first article focuses on primary headaches and craniofacial neuralgias and the second on secondary headaches. In order for the recommendations to be helpful for daily practice they follow a practical approach, with tables summarising referral criteria, examinations to be performed, and referral to other specialists.ConclusionsWe hope to offer a guide and tools to improve decision-making regarding patients with headache, identifying complementary tests to prioritise and referral pathways to be followed, in order to avoid duplicated consultations and delayed diagnosis and treatment.