A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

Breast cancer (BC) early screening and detection is a main component for the outcome of the treatment and overall survival. Informal caregivers (ICGs) are less likely to initiate early BC screening methods and utilize health services. The purpose of this study was to explore ICGs' knowledge and perceptions, including educational and training opportunities or barriers, in promoting early detection practices for BC, as well as healthcare professionals' (HCP) respective perceptions concerning ICGs in order to identify the need of selected health literacy interventions. A qualitative focus group study was implemented in 3 European countries, using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 26 ICGs and 18 HCPs were involved. The themes that emerged from the focus groups interviews included knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs concerning BC; motivational factors and barriers that influence early screening practices and personal involvement. Motivators and barriers concerning BC screening adherence were linked to knowledge, beliefs and perceptions. Health promotion strategies and user-friendly tools should be developed, targeting on the implementation of BC early detection practices among informal caregivers

Health Behavioral Change Interventions in Caregivers: The Prolepsis Project

The commitment of caring for a close member of the family is a deterrent to adopting preventive health behaviors. The challenging tasks accompanying the caregiving role often pose a threat to the caregiver’s own health. This is often manifested by moving away from healthy behaviors as a result of overwhelming caregiving tasks, limited time, and increased anxiety levels. The health belief model can be used as a theoretical framework to modify behavior. The Prolepsis example is a completed program which was developed based on this theoretical model to promote and encourage the adoption of preventive healthcare behavior among caregivers and other groups of women, by providing information, education, effective communication ways, empowerment programs, mutual support and encouraging lifestyle change

Qualitative investigation of moral distress in Cypriot mental health nurses in Cyprus: preliminary results

BACKGROUND: Empirical data provide evidence on the association between morally distressing experiences in healthcare professionals and diminished quality and safety of provided care. However, moral distress has not been sufficiently studied to date, particularly among mental health nurses (MHNs), both internationally and nationally. PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate the experience of moral distress among Cypriot MHNs. METHODS: A qualitative and phenomenological study design was applied. Data collection was achieved through two focus groups according to a semi-structured interview guide. Following informed consent, 21 nurses participated through purposeful sampling. RESULTS: 11 males and 10 females (mean age=37.47 years), employed in both hospital and community settings participated. The most commonly reported morally distressing situations regarded safety of the provided care, unethical/ unideological behaviors towards patients, violation of patients’ human rights, and witnessing violation of nurses’ labor rights. The most important factors associated with these situations were limited work experience and low ranking; inadequate education and lack of skills of healthcare professionals; inadequate referral procedures and lack of particular types of services; administrative deficiencies; nurses’ and patients’ limited participation in clinical decision- making. CONCLUSIONS: Situations that are linked with morally distressing experiences among mental health nurses seem to be mainly related to the work environment. Interventions related to organizational empowerment of MHNs need to be developed, along with pre-graduate and postgraduate education on early dictation of moral distress symptoms, as well as work-related conditions which may lead to such experiences

Exploration of the Association between Nurses' Moral Distress and Secondary Traumatic Stress Syndrome: Implications for Patient Safety in Mental Health Services

Work-related moral distress (MD) and secondary traumatic stress syndrome (STSS) may be associated with compromised health status among health professionals, reduced productivity, and inadequate safety of care. We explored the association of MD with the severity of STSS symptoms, along with the mediating role of mental distress symptoms. Associations with emotional exhaustion and professional satisfaction were also assessed. This cross-sectional survey conducted in 206 mental health nurses (MHNs) was employed across public sector community and hospital settings in Cyprus. The analysis revealed that MD (measured by the modified Moral Distress Scale) was positively associated with both STSS (measured by the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale) and mental distress symptoms (assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-28). The association of MD with STSS symptoms was partially mediated by mental distress symptoms. This association remained largely unchanged after adjusting for gender, age, education, rank, and intention to quit the job. Our findings provide preliminary evidence on the association between MD and STSS symptomatology in MHNs. Situations that may lead health professionals to be in moral distress seem to be mainly related to the work environment; thus interventions related to organizational empowerment of MHNs need to be developed

A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

Breast cancer (BC) early screening and detection is a main component for the outcome of the treatment and overall survival. Informal caregivers (ICGs) are less likely to initiate early BC screening methods and utilize health services. The purpose of this study was to explore ICGs’ knowledge and perceptions, including educational and training opportunities or barriers, in promoting early detection practices for BC, as well as healthcare professionals’ (HCP) respective perceptions concerning ICGs in order to identify the need of selected health literacy interventions. A qualitative focus group study was implemented in 3 European countries, using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 26 ICGs and 18 HCPs were involved. The themes that emerged from the focus groups interviews included knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs concerning BC; motivational factors and barriers that influence early screening practices and personal involvement. Motivators and barriers concerning BC screening adherence were linked to knowledge, beliefs and perceptions. Health promotion strategies and user-friendly tools should be developed, targeting on the implementation of BC early detection practices among informal caregivers

A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

Breast cancer (BC) early screening and detection is a main component for the outcome of the treatment and overall survival. Informal caregivers (ICGs) are less likely to initiate early BC screening methods and utilize health services. The purpose of this study was to explore ICGs’ knowledge and perceptions, including educational and training opportunities or barriers, in promoting early detection practices for BC, as well as healthcare professionals’ (HCP) respective perceptions concerning ICGs in order to identify the need of selected health literacy interventions. A qualitative focus group study was implemented in 3 European countries, using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 26 ICGs and 18 HCPs were involved. The themes that emerged from the focus groups interviews included knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs concerning BC; motivational factors and barriers that influence early screening practices and personal involvement. Motivators and barriers concerning BC screening adherence were linked to knowledge, beliefs and perceptions. Health promotion strategies and user-friendly tools should be developed, targeting on the implementation of BC early detection practices among informal caregivers

Health literacy in informal carers in relation to breast cancer prevention: A qualitative research in three European countries

Presented at ESMO Virtual Congress, 19 – 21 September / 16 – 18 October 202