Navigating Technology-Enabled Mindfulness Practices in and Outside of the Classroom: A Curriculum for Teachers

Mindfulness has emerged as a promising approach to promote relief in instances of adversity, reduce stress and improve children’s overall wellbeing when properly incorporated in a classroom setting. With the increase in use of technology for online and remote learning, the elaboration of a technology-enabled mindfulness curriculum for teachers and educators is of the upmost importance. The following curriculum has been created to introduce technology-enabled mindfulness practices and explore the current techniques which have been found to be beneficial for use with both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. Through a systematic search and in-depth review of the literature via diverse research databases, the most appropriate practices for teaching mindfulness to children aged 6 to 12 in a school setting were compiled and organized into ten distinct lessons. Lesson plans included in this curriculum feature the central components of mindfulness practices and explicitly demonstrate how these practices can be adapted and applied to be suitable for use online by teachers and educators. This curriculum can serve as a basis for future research conducted on practical ways of integrating alternative methods of delivery in school settings, specifically in terms of technology-enabled mindfulness practices. Keywords: child, curriculum, mindfulness, technology, COVID-1

Cancer survivorship:Advancing the concept in the context of colorectal cancer

Purpose Previous conceptualizations of cancer survivorship have focused on heterogeneous cancer survivors, with little consideration of the validity of conclusions for homogeneous tumour groups. This paper aims to examine the concept of cancer survivorship in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC). Method Rodgers’ (1989) Evolutionary Method of Concept Analysis guided this study. A systematic search of PUBMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO and The Cochrane Library was conducted in November 2016 to identify studies of CRC survivorship. The Braun and Clarke (2006) framework guided the analysis and interpretation of data extracted from eighty-five publications. Results Similar to general populations of cancer survivors, CRC survivors experience survivorship as an individual, life-changing process, punctuated by uncertainty and a duality of positive and negative outcomes affecting quality of life. However, CRC survivors experience specific concerns arising from the management of their disease. The concept of cancer survivorship has evolved over the past decade as the importance of navigating the healthcare system and its resources, and the constellation of met and unmet needs of cancer survivors are realised. Conclusions The results highlight core similarities between survivorship in the context of CRC and other tumour groups, but underlines issues specific to CRC survivorship. Communication and support are key issues in survivorship care which may detrimentally affect CRC survivors' well-being if they are inadequately addressed. Healthcare professionals (HCP’s) therefore have a duty to ensure cancer survivors’ health, information and supportive care needs are met in the aftermath of treatment

The cost of survival:an exploration of colorectal cancer survivors’ experiences of pain

Background: The Institute of Medicine report ‘From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor’ has drawn widespread attention to the experiences of cancer survivors. Research examining the symptom experiences of survivors are proliferative within the literature but limited by samples which include multiple tumor groups and varying inclusion criteria. This cross-sectional quantitative study seeks to examine pain and quality of life (QoL) in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivorship, as defined by the Institute of Medicine. Material and methods: A purposive sample of CRC survivors (n = 252) attending hospitals and cancer support centers in the Republic of Ireland were recruited between September 2014 and January 2016. Self-rated health (SRH), QoL and pain were assessed in the sample using the EuroQOL questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C) questionnaire, and symptom experience items. Results: One hundred participants (40%) indicated they had pain on the day of the survey or in the past week. Of those with pain, many also experienced a lack of energy (95%), bowel dysfunction (74%), sleep disturbance (76%) or interference with their ability to enjoy life (75%). Pain was associated with younger age, female gender, current chemotherapy treatment, and previous radiotherapy treatment. Although participants reported positive QoL scores, statistical analysis revealed pain was linked to significantly poorer SRH and overall QoL, and poorer physical, emotional, functional, social/family and CRC-specific wellbeing, compared to those who did not indicate pain. Discussion: Pain was experienced by almost two fifths of CRC survivors up to five years after treatment and was associated with poorer SRH and QoL. In light of these findings, healthcare professionals must endeavor to manage cancer survivors’ needs in a manner which is cognizant of the burden of pain and in the context of other symptoms and morbidities experienced by long-term cancer survivors

Evaluation of a formative peer assessment in research methods teaching using an online platform: A mixed methods pre-post study

Background: In higher education settings, there are increasing calls to shift away from traditional summative assessment practices, such end of term written tests, to explore methods of assessing learning in alternative ways. Peer assessment has been advocated as a means of formative assessment to enhance student engagement, empowering students to take responsibility for their own learning. While there is accumulating evidence for the value of peer assessment in higher education, one cannot assume peer feedback will translate appropriately to all settings and educational contexts. Objectives: This study evaluated the implementation of formative online peer assessment in a nursing and midwifery research methods module. We explored students' expectations, experiences, and ultimately the acceptability of this approach. Design: A quantitative descriptive study. Setting: Ireland. Methods: An online survey to collate expectations and experiences of engagement in peer assessment. Scales were drawn from previous research and non-parametric tests explored changes in perceptions over time. Qualitative content analysis explored patterns evident in open-text responses. Results: The response rate was 28% (n = 74) at baseline and 31% at follow-up (n = 81). Peer assessment was a new experience for 95% of respondents. Students initially expressed apprehension, perceiving the task as daunting, and doubting their ability to provide feedback to peers. However, through providing instruction and tools to support students in the activity, high levels of satisfaction with the process and the experience were reported. Significant differences in perceptions of peer assessment were evident over time, including an enhanced belief that respondents had the requisite skills to appraise the work of their peers. Conclusions: In sum, nursing and midwifery students agreed that peer assessment was a valuable learning experience as part of research methods training and critical skills development

Advanced breast cancer education for cancer nurses: A systematic review

Background: Access to comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary care is one of the most urgent and actionable recommendations of the Advanced Breast Cancer Global Alliance. However, access to specialist breast care units, and specialist breast cancer nurses is variable, influenced by access to specialist education and role recognition. To date, there has not been a synthesis of evidence regarding educational programmes related to advanced breast cancer education for nurses. Objectives: The aim of this review was to determine the content, mode of delivery, assessment and outcomes of education programmes related to advanced breast cancer for nurses. Review methods: A systematic review was undertaken, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute's mixed methods review methodology. Data sources: MEDLINE, PUBMED, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycInfo, Joanna Briggs Institute, Web of Science and grey literature sources were systematically searched. Eleven publications met the inclusion criteria. Data relating to programme content, mode of delivery, assessment and outcomes were extracted and analysed. Results: This review identifies a limited number of educational programmes within this specialist area of nursing practice. Shortcomings in the development, implementation and evaluation of advanced breast cancer education programmes included limited use of educational standards, theoretical frameworks and patient and public involvement to inform programme development. Evaluation of education programmes related to advanced breast cancer relied predominantly on self-reported learning, with limited consideration of the impacts of education on service delivery, patient experience or quality of care. Conclusions: Future development of advanced breast cancer education programmes must consider the alignment of programme content and learning outcomes with existing educational and competency standards. Evaluation of educational programmes in this field must endeavour to enhance rigour of methods, incorporating standardised questionnaires, and multiple methods and sources of data to evaluate the broader impacts of advanced breast cancer education for nurses

High Energy Neutrino Astronomy: Towards Kilometer-Scale Detectors

Of all high-energy particles, only neutrinos can directly convey astronomical information from the edge of the universe---and from deep inside the most cataclysmic high-energy processes. Copiously produced in high-energy collisions, travelling at the velocity of light, and not deflected by magnetic fields, neutrinos meet the basic requirements for astronomy. Their unique advantage arises from a fundamental property: they are affected only by the weakest of nature's forces (but for gravity) and are therefore essentially unabsorbed as they travel cosmological distances between their origin and us. Many of the outstanding mysteries of astrophysics may be hidden from our sight at all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum because of absorption by matter and radiation between us and the source. For example, the hot dense regions that form the central engines of stars and galaxies are opaque to photons. In other cases, such as supernova remnants, gamma ray bursters, and active galaxies, all of which may involve compact objects or black holes at their cores, the precise origin of the high-energy photons emerging from their surface regions is uncertain. Therefore, data obtained through a variety of observational windows---and especially through direct observations with neutrinos---may be of cardinal importance. In this talk, the scientific goals of high energy neutrino astronomy and the technical aspects of water and ice Cherenkov detectors are examined, and future experimental possibilities, including a kilometer-square deep ice neutrino telescope, are explored.Comment: 13 pages, Latex, 6 postscript figures, uses aipproc.sty and epsf.sty. Talk presented at the International Symposium on High Energy Gamma Ray Astronomy, Heidelberg, June 200

Cancer nursing research priorities: a rapid review

Abstract Purpose Identifying cancer nursing research priorities is central to influencing the direction of cancer care research. The aim of this rapid review was to explore research priorities identified by oncology nurses for cancer care delivery between 2019-2022. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis informed the design of the rapid review. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PUBMED, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies published between December 1st, 2018, and September 30th, 2022. This timeframe was chosen to account for the latest relevant evidence synthesis, as well as changes in cancer care necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Quality Assessment of Diverse Studies tool was used to appraise quality. Results Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Many of the research priorities identified were influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The top cancer nursing research priority identified was the role of technology in improving patient and caregiver symptoms and health outcomes. Other most prevalent research priorities were focused on symptom management, culturally sensitive palliative and psychosocial care, early/integrated palliative care, financial toxicity, modifiable risk factors related to social determinants of health, public and patient involvement in research, and oncology nurses' well-being and scope of practice. Conclusion The findings indicate a need to steer a strategic programme of cancer nursing research towards digitalisation in cancer care to meet the current needs of people living with cancer and their caregivers. However, cancer nurses' burnout, staff shortages and disparities in specialist education will hinder the implementation of certain models of care

Perceptions towards the adoption of multi-risk factors cancer prevention educational tool among european union citizens: A multi-country qualitative study protocol

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem. Four million new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Europe, of which around 40% could be prevented. The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) is a health education tool to raise awareness about risk factors and evidence-based measures to prevent cancer. The ECAC 4th edition consists of 12 recommendations to reduce individuals’ cancer risk and related deaths. This study explores perceived barriers to adopting the cancer prevention actions recommended by the ECAC fourth edition in the European Union (EU). Methods: The COM-B model of behaviour change will be used as a framework for the design and analysis of the study since it identifies factors (capability, opportunity, motivation) that need to be present for any behaviour change to occur. A qualitative study using an exploratory research methodology was designed to obtain information from adults with no previous cancer diagnosis by employing in-depth semi-structured interviews. Participants are selected using a quota sampling strategy according to sex, age, and education level (18 profiles/country). Interviews will be conducted in participants’ native language by trained researchers. Afterward, a thematic content analysis will be conducted to identify common topics, followed by a critical analysis of their discourse. Discussion: This study will contribute to informing the fifth edition of the ECAC –currently under development; by providing insights on how EU citizens perceive the cancer prevention recommendations of the fourth edition and whether they can motivate them to change unhealthy behaviours. Additionally, the study will help to identify the main facilitators and barriers (perceived or already confronted) to adopt these cancer prevention recommendations so that this knowledge will contribute to updating the recommendations of the fifth edition of the ECAC