Unveiling the Mysteries of Palliative Care

Unveiling the Mysteries of Palliative Car

Understanding breast cancer survivors’ information-seeking behaviours and overall experiences:a comparison of themes derived from social media posts and focus groups

Objective: Using two different analysis techniques, this study explored differences and similarities in information-seeking discourse and overall breast cancer experiences between posters to a Reddit board and breast cancer survivor focus groups. Design: This study incorporates two qualitative methods for determining themes in breast cancer survivors’ information-seeking behaviours and overall cancer experiences. First, posts from a breast cancer-specific Reddit community were extracted and analysed using the meaning extraction method (MEM) to determine core themes. Then, investigators performed a thematic analysis of two focus groups of breast cancer survivors (N = 18). Finally, themes derived from each analysis method were compared. Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures include themes extracted from Reddit posts and themes generated from breast cancer survivor focus groups. Results: Findings between qualitative methodologies represent similar yet nuanced themes in survivors’ discourse. The MEM resulted in seven themes: diagnosis, treatment process, social support, existentialism, risk, information-seeking and surgery. Focus groups revealed the same initial four MEM themes plus the following: disclosure, coping and fears. Conclusions: The MEM is a cost-effective research mechanism for informing common themes of experiences of cancer patients and survivors and may offer initial data to guide psychosocial oncology research design and recruitment

Mindfulness-based interventions for breast cancer patients in China across outcome domains: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Chinese literature

Objective This study aims to evaluate the treatment effect of a mindfulness-based intervention for Chinese breast cancer patients across outcome domains, including symptom-related, psychosocial, and quality of life outcomes. Methods Following the Cochrane Systematic Review guideline, we searched across five electronic databases, reference lists of eligible studies, professional websites, and major academic journals in Chinese. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Vevea and Woods sensitivity analysis, and risk of bias was evaluated using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials and risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions. A meta-analysis of Hedges’ g was conducted using meta-regression with robust variance estimation. Results Final analysis included a total of 45 controlled trials containing 286 effect size estimates. Across outcome domains, studies reported an overall large and statistically significant treatment effect, d = 0.921, 95% CI (0.805, 1.040), p < 0.001. Subgroup analyses of specific domains of outcome reported overall significant treatment effects for (1) symptom-related outcomes, d = 0.885, 95% CI (0.657, 1.110), p < 0.001; (2) psychosocial wellness outcomes, d = 0.984, 95% CI (0.879, 1.090), p < 0.001; and (3) quality of life, d = 0.990, 95% CI (0.776, 1.200), p < 0.001. Moderator analysis did not identify any significant moderator. Conclusion Chinese literature reported an overall statistically significant and large treatment effect of a mindfulness-based intervention for breast cancer patients in China. Except for physical symptom outcomes, e.g., nausea/vomiting and pain, a mindfulness-based intervention was effective across outcome domains among Chinese breast cancer patients.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167605/1/Jing_2021_Article_Mindfulness-basedInterventions.pdfDescription of Jing_2021_Article_Mindfulness-basedInterventions.pdf : Main articleSEL

The meaning and function of hope among young adults with advanced cancer

The purpose of this study was to develop a theory that explains how young adults (YAs) with advanced cancer engage hope to cope with their life-limiting illness. The study included three main exploratory aims: (1) to investigate the meaning and function of hope among YAs with advanced cancer throughout their disease trajectory; (2) to explore how YAs engage internal, interpersonal, and structural resources to cultivate hope; and (3) to discover how YAs employ hope to balance dual transitions from adolescence into young adulthood and from perceived longevity to the knowledge of living within a shortened timeframe. Incorporating Glaser’s grounded theory methodology, theoretical sampling was utilized to recruit 13 YAs (ages 23-38) diagnosed with stage III, IV, or blood cancers. Participants completed a semi-structured interview and a new instrument, The Hope Timeline, to determine fluctuations in hope and pivotal moments throughout YAs’ illness. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using constant comparative methods. The resulting theory of contingent hope describes YA’s tenuous hold on hope as they endeavor to cope with advanced cancer. These YAs find themselves in a state of disoriented grief, where virtually all familiar aspects of their lives become unrecognizable. They struggle with unrelenting physical and psychosocial burdens which culminate in feeling broken and moments of despair. YAs describe feeling betrayed by their bodies and periods of dissociation. The exploration of hope becomes a continuous, emotionally intensive process that appears contingent on each individual’s ability to execute the following: navigating uncertainty; grieving losses, finding bearings, and reclaiming life. As the YAs become adept at negotiating these processes, they exhibit increased confidence in their physical and mental functioning; thus, prompting perceptions of an integrated self and feelings of hopefulness. As hope becomes consistent, YAs begin to believe in the possibility of navigating multiple seasons of uncertainty and identity thresholds. This study highlights the need for ongoing assessment of YAs with advanced cancer to discover their motivating factors and potential for despair and feeling broken. Further research should investigate individual and group interventions for YAs with advanced cancer that promotes their sense of connection, purpose, and controlSocial Wor

Easing Existential Distress in Pediatric Cancer Care

Children with serious illnesses may have special needs that are not strictly clinical in nature and that are not always easily discerned. The capacity to detect and respond to this type of need becomes an increasingly important focus in palliative care. Spiritual care falls within this sphere of interest, for both the child with an illness and their family. In the care of children with advanced cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, spiritual care providers partner with families as they navigate a life-threatening illness, offering empathy, spiritual companionship, and guidance in balancing personal beliefs, values, and medical decision making. This chapter will explore the history and study of spiritual care of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families and present practical approaches for spiritual screening and intervention, as well as mechanisms for enhancing the infrastructure

Mass Depopulation of Swine during COVID-19: An Exploration of Swine Veterinarians&rsquo; Perspectives

This qualitative study (n = 25) was created to better understand the mental health of U.S. swine veterinarians who were involved in the mass depopulation events related to COVID-19. A total of 25 swine veterinarians, participants in a previous larger quantitative study, volunteered to be interviewed about their experiences related to the COVID-19 mass depopulation event. Themes that emerged from these interviews included: (1) the need to be better prepared for crisis events; (2) lack of public understanding; (3) moral distress; (4) empathy for others, especially young veterinarians; (5) sources of support; (6) pride, honor and gratitude; and (7) an overarching theme of emotional distancing and detachment&mdash;concerns external to one&rsquo;s own mental health. Based on our results, we recommend additional training and supportive services for those who might be involved in future depopulation efforts. Additionally, we suggest that the veterinary profession prioritize public education campaigns to help the public better understand the need for depopulation

The effectiveness of strength-based, solution-focused brief therapy in medical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153307/1/2018ZhangetalJBM.pd

The Psychosocial Influence of Companion Animals on Positive and Negative Affect during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The initial months of COVID-19 forced people to quickly adapt to dramatic changes to their daily lives. As a result of the inevitable decrease in access to social support available during the lockdown phase of COVID-19, countless individuals relied upon their companion dogs and cats. Given the strong connections people often have with their companion animals, this study hypothesized that companion dogs and cats would positively impact guardians’ mental health. Anonymous, cross-sectional online surveys were used to test this premise. A total of 5061 responses, primarily females (89%) from the United States (84%), were analyzed. Results suggest that companion animals played a critical role in helping reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, and loneliness for a majority of pet guardians. Companion animals also helped increase guardians’ experiences of self-compassion, ability to maintain a regular schedule, feel a sense of purpose and meaning, and cope with uncertainty. This was most pronounced for women under the age of 40 who were highly bonded to their companion animal. In conclusion, our study suggests that a companion dog or cat can buffer the effects of extreme stress and social isolation as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Impact of COVID on Cat Guardians: Veterinary Issues

The onset of COVID has impacted the field of veterinary medicine and the lives of cat guardians in numerous ways, yet the subject remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to better understand cat guardians’ fears and concerns pertaining to veterinary care and obtainment of pet care products and food during the initial lock down phase of the COVID pandemic to better address these concerns now and in the future. To this end, an anonymous online survey was distributed to cat guardians during the first two months of the pandemic. The survey included questions pertaining to guardians’ relationship with their cat and their veterinary related concerns and experiences as a result of the pandemic. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 956 participants. The results revealed that the increased amount of time guardians spent with their cat had a positive impact on their bond. Participants’ veterinary related concerns, particularly for participants between 18–29 years of age, centered around availability of their veterinarian for both emergency and non-emergency care. Other concerns included fears about the ability to afford emergency veterinary care and obtain cat food and supplies. Awareness of these concerns can help veterinarians better support cat guardians by directly communicating their continued availability and presence in the face of a pandemic as well as other challenging times