Leveraging telehealth supportive oncology services to combat COVID-19 isolation in breast cancer patients: A cancer center’s perspective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, breast cancer patient in-person visits were converted to telehealth visits. Given our concerns about increased isolation amongst breast cancer patients during the pandemic, and the deleterious effects of such isolation on patient outcomes, we investigated utilization rates of psycho-social services amongst newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at our institution. We explored visit platforms (telehealth versus in-person) and time points prior to and encompassing the early pandemic. Despite decreased new breast cancer visits, there was a greater than 2-fold increase in supportive oncology service encounters in breast cancer patients during COVID-19 suggesting increased need for psycho-oncology resources. While services had not been offered virtually prior to the pandemic, the majority of the supportive oncology visits were conducted via telehealth during the initial months (73%) and year (59%) of the pandemic. 89% of breast cancer patients accessing psycho-social services were in-state patients, and service utilization increased amongst rural and urban residents during the pandemic. Total numbers of rural patients receiving supportive oncology services remained low compared to numbers of urban patients, however, though virtual visits predominated. While the number of out-of-state patients accessing psycho-oncology services during the pandemic was low, there was a 5-fold increase in psycho-social service utilization in this group during the pandemic. The majority of these visits were in-person. Telehealth services can be used to extend psycho-social support to breast cancer patients and combat the experience of isolation exacerbated by the pandemic. Virtual visits can be further utilized to increase outreach to rural and out-of-state patients. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Innovation & Technology lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework (https://theberylinstitute.org/experience-framework/). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens

Promising outcomes of earlier intervention in response to threatened homelessness and youth offending

Abstract not available

Examining the Potential of Art-Science Collaborations in the Anthropocene: A Case Study of Catching a Wave

This book chapter was originally published on 19 May 2020 as a journal article: Paterson, S.K., Le Tissier, M., Whyte, H., Robinson, L.B., Thielking, K., Ingram, M. and McCord, J. (2020) 'Examining the Potential of Art-Science Collaborations in the Anthropocene: A Case Study of Catching a Wave', Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, article 340, pp. 1-13. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00340.© 2020 Paterson, Le Tissier, Whyte, Robinson, Thielking, Ingram and McCord. There is a disconnect between ambition and achievement of the UN Agenda 2030 and associated Sustainable Development Goals that is especially apparent when it comes to ocean and coastal health. While scientific knowledge is critical to confront and resolve contradictions that reproduce unsustainable practices at the coast and to spark global societal change toward sustainability, it is not enough in itself to catalyze large scale behavioral change. People learn, understand and generate knowledge in different ways according to their experiences, perspectives, and culture, amongst others, which shape responses and willingness to alter behavior. Historically, there has been a strong connection between art and science, both of which share a common goal to understand and describe the world around us as well as provide avenues for communication and enquiry. This connection provides a clear avenue for engaging multiple audiences at once, evoking emotion and intuition to trigger stronger motivations for change. There is an urgent need to rupture the engrained status quo of disciplinary divisions across academia and society to generate transdisciplinary approaches to global environmental challenges. This paper describes the evolution of an art-science collaboration (Catching a Wave) designed to galvanize change in the Anthropocene era by creating discourse drivers for transformations that are more centered on society rather than the more traditional science-policy-practice nexus.Future Earth Coasts; East Carolina University (College of Fine Arts and Communication Research and Creative Activity Awards); University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (Research and Creative Activities Grant #3218.07); Participation to workshops mentioned in the text benefited from a Marine Research Programme Networking and Travel Grant (NT/19/45) from the Marine Institute, Ireland and Brunel University London (QR-GCRF)

A mixed methods randomised control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the journey to social inclusion - phase 2 intervention for chronically homeless adults: study protocol

BACKGROUND: Chronic homelessness is a problem characterised by longstanding inability to attain or maintain secure accommodation. Longitudinal research with homeless populations is challenging, and randomised controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of intensive, case management interventions aimed at improving housing and health-related outcomes for chronically homelessness people are scant. More research is needed to inform programmatic design and policy frameworks in this area. This study protocol details an evaluation of the Journey to Social Inclusion - Phase 2 program, an intervention designed to reduce homelessness and improve outcomes in chronically homeless adults. METHODS/DESIGN: J2SI Phase 2 is a three-year, mixed methods, multi-site, RCT that enrolled 186 participants aged 25 to 50 years between 07 January 2016 and 30 September 2016 in Melbourne. The intervention group (n = 90 recruited) receives the J2SI Phase 2 program, a trauma-informed intervention that integrates intensive case management and service coordination; transition to housing and support to sustain tenancy; and support to build social connections, obtain employment and foster independence. The comparison group (n = 96 recruited) receives standard service provision. Prior to randomisation, participants completed a baseline survey. Follow-up surveys will be completed every six months for three years (six in total). In addition to self-report data on history of homelessness and housing, physical and mental health, substance use, quality of life, social connectedness and public service utilisation, linked administrative data on participants' public services utilisation (e.g., hospitalisation, justice system) will be obtained for the three-year period pre- and post-randomisation. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews will be conducted with a randomly selected subset of participants and service providers at three time-points to explore changes in key outcome variables and to examine individual experiences with the intervention and standard service provision. An economic evaluation of the intervention and associated costs will also be undertaken. DISCUSSION: Results of this trial will provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of J2SI Phase 2 compared to standard service provision. If the intervention demonstrates effectiveness in improving housing, health, quality-of-life, and other social outcomes, it may be considered for broader national and international dissemination to improve outcomes among chronically homeless adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000162415 (retrospectively registered 10-February-2016)