Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-03T19:04:16.577Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effective communication and information provision in radiotherapy—the role of radiation therapists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2010

Georgia K.B. Halkett ,
Susan Merchant ,
Moyez Jiwa ,
Michala Short ,
Hayley Arnet ,
Sharon Richardson ,
Rachel Kearvell ,
Sharron Carson ,
Nigel Spry  and
Mandy Taylor
...Show all authors
Georgia K.B. Halkett*
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Susan Merchant
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Moyez Jiwa
Affiliation:
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Michala Short
Affiliation:
Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hayley Arnet
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, WA Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sharon Richardson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Rachel Kearvell
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sharron Carson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Nigel Spry
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Mandy Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Linda Kristjanson
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
*
Correspondence to: Georgia Halkett, WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin University of Technology, Health Research Campus, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction: Health professionals have a duty of care to radiotherapy patients in providing them with adequate information before treatment. There is a lack of research that describes the roles of radiation therapists and radiation oncology nurses in providing information to patients. This study aimed to: (1) explore how radiation therapists communicate with breast cancer patients during a radiotherapy planning appointment; (2) determine what information is provided during this appointment and (3) explore radiation therapists’ perspectives on their role in providing patient information and support.

Methods: The following methodologies were used: self-report questionnaires; simulated radiotherapy planning sessions and joint interpretive forums. Statistical analysis was used to analyse the questionnaires and the simulated planning sessions and forums were analysed qualitatively.

Results: A total of 110 radiation therapists participated in the survey. We simulated two radiotherapy planning appointments and held two forums. Four themes emerged: role definitions, reducing patient anxiety and distress, barriers and strategies for effective communication and confidence in patient communication.

Conclusion: Radiation therapists play an important role in communicating with patients and providing information, particularly if patients exhibit anxiety and distress. Further research is required to determine whether patients’ information needs can be met with additional information provided by radiation therapists.

Keywords

breast cancerinformationpatient educationradiation therapyrole definition
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , March 2010 , pp. 3 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Gamble, K. Communication and information: the experience of radiotherapy patients. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 1998; 7: 153–161.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Halkett, GK, Kristjanson, LJ, Lobb, EA. ‘If we get too close to your bones they'll go brittle': women's initial fears about radiotherapy for early breast cancer. Psychooncology 2008; 17: 877–884.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Knobf, MT, Sun, Y. A longitudinal study of symptoms and self-care activities in women treated with primary radiotherapy for breast cancer. Cancer Nurs 2005; 28: 210–218.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Choi, P, Szumacher, E, Adams, L, Hayter, C, Danjoux, C. Are we addressing patients' needs in radiation oncology practice? Results of patients' satisfaction pilot survey. Can J Med Radiat Technol 2006; 37: 7–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schäfer, C, Dietl, B, Putnik, K, Altmann, D, Marienhagen, J, Herbst, M. Patient information in radiooncology results of a patient survey. Strahlenther Onkol 2002; 178: 562–571.Google ScholarPubMed
Cartledge Hoff, A, Haaga, DA. Effects of an education program on radiation oncology patients and families. J Psychosoc Oncol 2005; 23: 61–79.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
D' haese, S, Vinh-Hung, V, Bijdekerke, P, Spinnoy, M, De Beukeleer, M, Lochie, N, De Roover, P, Storme, G. The effect of timing of the provision of information on anxiety and satisfaction of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. J Cancer Educ 2000; 15: 223–227.Google ScholarPubMed
Halkett, GK, Kristjanson, LJ, Lobb, E, O’Driscoll, C, Taylor, M, Spry, N. Meeting breast cancer patients’ information needs during radiotherapy: what can we do to improve the information and support that is currently provided? Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2009; epub ahead of print 25 August 2009.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schäfer, C, Herbst, M. Ethical aspects of patient information in radiation oncology. An introduction and a review of the literature. Strahlenther Onkol 2003; 179: 431–440.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Halkett, GK, Kristjanson, LJ. Patients' perspectives on the role of radiation therapists. Patient Educ Couns 2007; 69: 76–83.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bolderston, A. Mixed messages? A comparison between the perceptions of radiation therapy patients and radiation therapists regarding patients’ educational needs. Radiography 2006; 14: 111–119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gosselin-Acomb, TK. Role of the radiation oncology nurse. Semin Oncol Nurs 2006; 22: 198–202.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wengström, Y, Häggmark, C, Forsberg, C. Coping with radiation therapy: effects of a nursing intervention on coping ability for women with breast cancer. Int J Nurs Pract 2001; 7: 8–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dunn, J, Steginga, SK, Rose, P, Scott, J, Allison, R. Evaluating patient education materials about radiation therapy. Patient Educ Couns 2004; 52: 325–332.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Häggmark, C, Bohman, L, Ilmoni-Brandt, K, Näslund, I, Sjödén, PO, Nilsson, B. Effects of information supply on satisfaction with information and quality of life in cancer patients receiving curative radiation therapy. Patient Educ Couns 2001; 45: 173–179.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jahraus, D, Sokolosky, S, Thurston, N, Guo, D. Evaluation of an education program for patients with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy. Cancer Nurs 2002; 25: 266–275.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thomas, R, Daly, M, Perryman, B, Stockton, D. Forewarned is forearmed—benefits of preparatory information on video cassette for patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy—a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Cancer 2000; 36: 1536–1543.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coulter, A, Entwistle, V, Gilbert, D. Sharing decisions with patients: is the information good enough? BMJ 1999; 318: 318–322.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Feldman-Stewart, D, Brundage, MD, Tishelman, C; SCRN Communication Team. A conceptual framework for patient-professional communication: an application to the cancer context. Psychooncology 2005; 14: 801–809; discussion 810.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Halkett, GK, Short, M, Kristjanson, LJ. How do radiation oncology health professionals inform breast cancer patients about the medical and technical aspects of their treatment? Radiother Oncol 2009; 90: 153–159.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Radiation Therapy Advisory Panel. Radiation Therapy workforce survey 2006. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Radiography, 2008.Google Scholar
Raosoft. Sample size calculator. 2004 [updated 2004; cited July 2007]; Available from: http://www.raosoft.com/samplesize.html.Google Scholar
Smith, PE, Fuller, GN, Kinnersley, P, Brigley, S, Elwyn, G. Using simulated consultations to develop communications skills for neurology trainees. Eur J Neurol 2002; 9: 83–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kruijver, IP, Kerkstra, A, Bensing, JM, van de Wiel, HB. Communication skills of nurses during interactions with simulated cancer patients. J Adv Nurs 2001; 34: 772–779.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beullens, J, Rethans, JJ, Goedhuys, J, Buntinx, F. The use of standardized patients in research in general practice. Fam Pract 1997; 14: 58–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fraser, R, McKinley, R, Mulholland, HI. Assessment of consultation competence in general practice: the Leicester Assessment Package. In: Harden, R, Hart, I, Mulholland, H (eds). Approaches to the Assessment of Clinical Competence Part 1. Dundee: Centre for Medical Education, 1992, pp. 192–198.Google Scholar
Jiwa, M, McKinley, R, O’Shea, C, Arnet, H, Spilsbury, K, Smith, M. Investigating the impact of extraneous distractions on consultations in general practice: lessons learned. BMC Med Res Methodol 2009; 9:8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mohram, SA, Gibson, CB, Mohrman, AM. Doing research that is useful to practice: a model and empirical exploration. Acad Manage J 2001; 44: 357–375.Google Scholar
Saba, GW, Wong, ST, Schillinger, D, Fernandez, A, Somkin, CP, Wilson, CC, Grumbach, K. Shared decision making and the experience of partnership in primary care. Ann Fam Med 2006; 4: 54–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Squier, RW. A model of empathic understanding and adherence to treatment regimens in practitioner—patient relationships. Soc Sci Med 1990; 30: 325–339.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gysels, M, Richardson, A, Higginson, IJ. Communication training for health professionals who care for patients with cancer: a systematic review of effectiveness. Support Care Cancer 2004; 12: 692–700.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Butow, P, Cockburn, J, Girgis, A, Bowman, D, Schofield, P, D'Este, C, Stojanovski, E, Tattersall, MH; CUES Team. Increasing oncologists' skills in eliciting and responding to emotional cues: evaluation of a communication skills training program. Psychooncology 2008; 17: 209–218.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shi, J, Cox, J, Atyeo, J, Loh, Y, Choung, WL, Back, M. Clinician and therapist perceptions on radiation therapist-led treatment reviews in radiation oncology practice. Radiother Oncol 2008; 89: 361–367.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gore-Felton, C, Koopman, C, Bridges, E, Thoresen, C, Spiegel, D. An example of maximizing survey return rates. Methodological issues for health professionals. Eval Health Prof 2002; 25: 152–168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed