Biomedical subjects

S Sellick

Publications and source records attributed to S Sellick.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Assessing the impact of evidence-based continuing education on nonpharmacologic management of cancer pain.

BACKGROUND: Following a survey of health professionals' familiarity with 19 non-pharmacologic interventions for cancer pain, evidence-based continuing education sessions were conducted on the five therapies about which the professionals reported being most interested in learning more. METHODS: Three months following the education sessions, the original questionnaire was re-administered. Responses from the original survey were compared with those on the post-education survey. To further analyze the data, the post-education survey responses of the health professionals who had attended the education sessions were compared with those who had not attended. RESULTS: Compared with the original survey, the respondents were more familiar with therapeutic touch and massage therapy and more aware of the research regarding these interventions, and perceptions of effectiveness had significantly increased for all five interventions. For all five interventions, those who had attended the sessions were significantly more aware of research than those who had not attended. CONCLUSIONS: The continuing education sessions improved familiarity and awareness of research but had little influence on the health professionals' perceptions regarding the effectiveness, risk, and planned future use of the interventions. The low response rate and other limitations of this project warrant a cautious interpretation of the findings.

Cancer Care Facilities↗

PubMed1999

Communicating at life's end.

With more and more people choosing to die at home, palliative care is an increasingly important field. The challenge for those of us working in the field is to develop a comprehensive system of care that will provide high quality, in-home support. Such support involves a large network of formal and informal caregivers--family members, caregiving friends, homemakers and a variety of health care providers--who collaborate together and with the individual to provide holistic care. Thus, co-ordination, collaboration and communication are essential if this network is to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the dying and their families.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

The supportive care needs of newly diagnosed cancer patients attending a regional cancer center.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the physical and emotional health status, self-perceived problems, and needs of newly diagnosed cancer patients to determine and plan supportive care strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of newly diagnosed cancer patients attending a regional cancer center during a 6-month period was performed. Patients with breast, colorectal, head and neck, lung, and prostate carcinoma as well as nonmelanoma of the skin were selected randomly. Patients were interviewed prior to their first appointment at the clinic. Physical health status was assessed using the Symptom Distress Scale, psychologic health status was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), day-to-day functioning with the Rapid Disability Scale, and social support with the modified Sarason's Social Support Scale. Perceived needs were assessed in a number of ways, including identification of patients' specific social concerns and informational needs, and by asking them to list their current problems or concerns. RESULTS: Of 156 eligible patients, 134 completed the interview. One hundred and twenty-nine patients (96%) reported current symptoms that included fatigue (66%), worried outlook (61%), difficulty sleeping (48%), and pain (42%). Forty-four patients (33%) were identified as psychologically distressed with a GHQ score of > or = 6. One hundred and fourteen patients (85%) had informational needs, 89 (66%) indicated > or = 1 social concerns, and 55 (41%) reported a need for assistance with day-to-day living. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with newly diagnosed cancer commonly report symptoms related to fatigue, pain, and psychologic distress. Other frequently reported issues relate to the need for information and social concerns regarding the patients' ability to take care of their home and maintain family and other relationships. Awareness of these issues is important for planning supportive care interventions for newly diagnosed cancer patients.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Survey of family physicians: what is their role in cancer patient care?

In 1993, a survey of randomly-selected family physicians in two regions of Ontario was conducted to assess their views on various aspects of supportive care of patients with cancer. A response rate of 71% was obtained. Results showed that physicians are using preventive and screening techniques in their practices. They are comfortable with most of their roles in supportive cancer care with the exceptions of conveying news of therapy failure and total coordination of care. There is significant dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the timing and content of the consultation letters received from the regional cancer centers. Finally, family physicians expressed the importance of their roles in palliative care.

Adult↗