Health-related quality of life after isolated limb perfusion compared to extended resection,or amputation for locally advanced extremity sarcoma: Is a limb salvage strategy worth the effort?

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare long-term patient reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with locally advanced extremity soft tissue sarcoma (eSTS) after isolated limb perfusion followed by resection (IR), compared to extended resection (ER), primary amputation (A) or secondary amputation after IR (IR-A).MethodsPatients were selected from the respondents of a multi-institutional cross-sectional cohort survivorship study (SURVSARC) conducted among sarcoma survivors registered in the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), 2–10 years after diagnosis. Used PROs were the EORTC QLQ-C30, the Cancer worry scale (CWS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS).ResultsWe identified 97 eSTS survivors: IR = 20, ER = 49, A = 20, IR-A = 8. While there were no differences in PROs between IR and ER, results showed better functioning and functionality in both groups versus the amputation groups. The amputation groups scored significantly lower on physical functioning (A = 62.7, IR-A = 65.7 versus IR = 78.0, ER = 82.7, p = 0.001) and role functioning (A = 67.5, IR-A = 52.8 versus IR = 79.2, ER = 80.6, p = 0.039), both EORTC QLQ-C30 scales. Also for the TESS, the scores were significantly lower for the amputation groups compared to the limb sparing groups (upper extremity p = 0.007 with A = 68.9, IR-A = 71.6 versus IR = 93.3, ER = 91.1; lower extremity p < 0.001 with A = 72.2, IR-A50.9 versus IR = 84.5 and ER = 85.5). There were no significant differences between the groups on cancer worry, anxiety and depression.ConclusionHRQoL in eSTS survivors treated with IR or ER is equal; for maintenance of physical functioning and functionality IR and ER outperform an amputation.     

增进积极体验为目标的健康干预对抑郁症病人抑郁情绪及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨增进积极体验为目标的健康干预对抑郁症病人抑郁情绪及生活质量的影响。方法:选择2019年9月—2021年3月在医院就诊的68例抑郁症病人为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为观察组与对照组,每组34例。对照组予以常规护理,观察组在常规护理基础上予以增进积极体验为目标的健康干预。干预前后分别采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、世界卫生组织生存质量测定量表简表(WHOQOL-BREF)评估病人的抑郁情绪和生活质量,同时对两组病人的护理满意度进行比较。结果:干预后观察组病人抑郁评分低于对照组(P<0.05);两组病人的生理功能、心理功能、社会功能及环境功能指标均较干预前有明显改善,且观察组评分均高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组病人对护理干预的总满意度为97.06%,高于对照组的61.76%(P<0.05)。结论:增进积极体验为目标的健康干预可明显缓解抑郁症病人的抑郁情绪,提高病人的生活质量。     

一体化管理的老年综合评估护理模式对前列腺癌患者心理因素和生活质量的影响

目的探讨对前列腺癌患者采用一体化管理老年综合评估(CGA)护理模式对其心理因素和生活质量的影响。方法选取2020年3月至2021年3月在南京市第一医院就诊,确诊为前列腺癌,且首次行腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术的患者96例,随机分为对照组、观察1组、观察2组,各32例。对照组为住院后采用常规护理模式进行护理,观察1组为入院后行CGA干预组,观察2组为一体化管理的CGA干预组。三组患者分别在干预前、出院时,进行焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)测评;在干预前、术后30 d,进行生活质量核心量表QLQ-C30(V3.0)和前列腺癌特异性补充量表QLQ-PR25测评。结果出院时,观察2组SAS、SDS评分显著优于对照组及观察1组(P<0.05);术后30 d,观察2组生活质量QLQ-C30、QLQ-PR25评分显著优于对照组及观察1组(P<0.05)。结论一体化管理CGA护理模式可有效改善前列腺癌患者的心理状态,提高其术后生活质量。     

Healthcare professionals’ knowledge,skills, and role in offering and facilitating memory making during end-of-life care in the adult intensive care unit

BackgroundAn activity to provide a tangible keepsake following the death of a loved one is termed ‘memory making’. However, limited evidence is available related to professionals' education and support to provide memory making opportunities in the adult intensive care unit (ICU). Having a greater understanding of healthcare professionals’ experiences can inform future patient/family care and support for professionals in end-of-life care.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe what participants perceive memory making to be, if they have facilitated memory making activities as part of their practice, if they perceive it as part of their role, and if they have the necessary skills to do so.MethodsSeventy-five registered nurses (75% response rate), 19 medical doctors (76% response rate), and two social workers (66.7% response rate) completed a survey at a single tertiary referral centre in an adult ICU.ResultsParticipants reported memory making to include the creation of tangible keepsakes as well as nontangible activities. Overall, participants reported high agreement scores that the responsibility for initiating memory making predominately belonged to the nurse. Participants reported skills most needed involved the ability to interact with the family, being open to the concept, and integrating memory making into their standard of care. Having developed a rapport with families was considered an enabler, whereas lack of knowledge and clinical workload were reported as inhibitors to offering memory making.ConclusionsOverall, participants in this study reported positive experiences with offering memory making to families during end-of-life care in the adult ICU. Nurses are more likely to perceive professional responsibility for offering memory making, likely due to their increased time at the bedside and higher prominence and leadership in other end-of-life practices. To support professionals, education should include conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge of keepsake creations, communication techniques using reflective practices, and organisational support to facilitate time requirements.     

Health professionals’ view on the role of hope and communication challenges with patients in palliative care: A systematic narrative review

ObjectiveTo identify health professionals' (HPs) perspectives on the role of hope and the main challenges faced when communicating with patients in palliative care (PC).MethodsSearch on PubMed, Scopus, SocIndex, Cochrane, and Web of Science using: palliat*, palliative care, palliative medicine, hospice care, terminal care, long term care, supportive care, end of life (EOL) care and hope*, followed by a thematic narrative analysis.ResultsThirty-five studies were included. HPs' views were grouped in: Bringing out hope and Taking down hope. HPs believe that hope is elicited through a personal patient-provider bond and exhibited through medical treatment delivery. HPs face difficulties when delivering prognosis, referring to hospice, and providing palliation.ConclusionHope is conveyed through verbal and non-verbal communication. HPs struggle to account for hope's shifting character, challenging the engagement in EOL discussions.Practical implicationsFindings show a patient-provider clash of perspectives, suggesting a gap in acknowledging the shifting nature of hope. An important question emerges: Are the existing theories of hope that are solely explained from a patient experience relevant for HPs' own interpretation? Investigating the HPs' attitudes gathered in collective experiences in PC, might contribute to answering the question in the context of building more constructive communication approaches.