Biomedical subjects

E Ream

Publications and source records attributed to E Ream.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Fatigue in adolescents with and following a cancer diagnosis: developing an evidence base for practice.

Although fatigue has been a focus for research in adult cancer care for some time, the same cannot be said for adolescent oncology practice. This paper summarises the literature concerning fatigue in adolescents with, and following, cancer diagnoses, drawing on data from four empirical studies. Fatigue is multidimensional, multifactorial and highly subjective, but can be managed to enhance self-caring and coping strategies. All of the studies reviewed within indicate that fatigue is a troublesome symptom, which impacts on quality of life. From this review, we set up a research study. This paper provides a brief report of preliminary data from this study drawn from a group of adolescents in late remission from childhood cancer. These data are used to evaluate the utility of focus groups as a method of data collection in exploring the concept of fatigue in adolescents. Concurring with the studies we reviewed, findings from the preliminary data suggest that fatigue is a highly subjective and 'abnormal' phenomenon that holds a variety of implied meanings and associated metaphors connected with past experiences of childhood cancer. The focus group proved to be a viable research method to facilitate mutual disclosure and provoke discussion. Recognition of the research challenges with adolescents, where there is the potential for a range of meanings for the experience of fatigue, is an important finding for future studies.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

Cancer-related fatigue--a difference of opinion? Results of a multicentre survey of healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of patients with cancer, their caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) about fatigue and its impact on quality of life. It was a cross-sectional survey, the respondents were patients with cancer attending three UK regional cancer centres (n = 1,370), their informal caregivers (n = 1,370) and a random selection of HCPs (oncologists/nurses/radiographers/haematologists; n = 1,098). The response rates for patients, caregivers and HCPs were 42%, 33% and 34% respectively. Fatigue was reported to affect 56% of patients and to have a considerable impact on quality of life. Caregivers also recognized that fatigue was a common problem, with significant effects on patients' quality of life and impact on themselves. Healthcare professionals recognized that fatigue was a common problem for their patients but overestimated its impact on some aspects of patients' daily lives. Although most HCPs reported that they prescribed/recommended treatment for over half of their patients, only 14% of patients reported receiving any such treatment. The most common advice was to take more rest and relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: patients with cancer report that fatigue is a common and distressing symptom and the importance of this symptom is generally recognized by both HCPs and lay-carers. Healthcare professionals need more information about the effectiveness of existing interventions for cancer-related fatigue and further research is required to improve the current management of this debilitating symptom.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2000

Cancer-related fatigue: inevitable, unimportant and untreatable? Results of a multi-centre patient survey. Cancer Fatigue Forum.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate cancer patients' experience of fatigue and their perceptions about the causes, management and impact of this symptom. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey. SETTINGS: Three regional cancer centres; Glasgow, Birmingham and Southampton. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred seven outpatients with cancer attending the three units over a 30-day period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Investigator designed questionnaire and the fatigue sub-scale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Fatigue (FACT-F) questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 576 of 1307 (44%). Fatigue was reported to affect 58% of patients 'somewhat or very much'. The comparable figures for pain and nausea/vomiting were 22% and 18%, respectively. Fatigue had never been reported to the hospital doctor by 52% (281 of 538) of patients with this symptom. Only 75 patients (14%) had received treatment or advice about the management of their fatigue. Fatigue was reported to be not well-managed by 33% (180 of 538) of patients with this symptom. The comparable figures for pain and nausea/vomiting were 9% (46 of 538) and 7% (37 of 538), respectively. The median FACT-F score was 18 (range 0-52). On multivariate analysis 54% of the variation in FACT-F scores could be explained by the combination of quality of life, depression, dyspnoea, weight loss/anorexia and use of analgesics in the previous month. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue has been identified as an important problem by patients with cancer. It affects more patients for more of the time than any other symptom and is regarded by patients as being more important than either pain or nausea/vomiting. Research into the aetiology and management of this symptom should be regarded as a priority.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

The experiences of patients and nurses with a nurse-led peripherally inserted central venous catheter line service.

Nurse-led Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC) services are becoming commonplace in cancer centres across the UK. Research has shown that these services are cost-effective and are associated with fewer catheter-related complications, including infection and thrombosis, than skin-tunnelled catheters. This exploratory study aimed to explore patients' and nurses' experiences of a nurse-led PICC line service. Recorded interviews were conducted with 10 cancer patients with PICC lines inserted, five hospital-based nurses and five community-based nurses experienced in caring for patients with these lines. Respondents' recorded accounts were transcribed, coded and analysed to determine patients' and nurses' perceptions of the service and the extent to which collaborative practice was promoted. Findings were synthesized into five themes: Education, Formation of Expectations, Confidence, Sensory Experience and Adaptation. All respondent groups were positive about the PICC line service and the specialist oncology nurses working within it. The findings did identify some aspects of the service which could be improved, including the timing of information given to patients and the use of more innovative educational approaches. This study has informed the development of a potential flexible service structure which may be incorporated into established and differing care settings using existing resources.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

From theory to practice: designing interventions to reduce fatigue in patients with cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence available to guide the development of interventions to alleviate cancer-related fatigue. DATA SOURCES: Published fatigue theories and research describing patients' self-care strategies and the efficacy of interventions for the management of fatigue. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fatigue is a pervasive problem for patients with cancer. Without guidance, patients adopt common-sense strategies that generally prove unsuccessful in alleviating fatigue. Theories that identify self-care actions that can reduce fatigue are becoming increasingly sophisticated. A small number of strategies, most notably exercise, has been evaluated. Other interventions--educational, attention-restoring, and psychosocial--have been tested to a lesser extent. The theoretical foundations of these experimental studies frequently are unclear. However, primary evidence is favorable and supports further evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Passive approaches frequently fail to reduce fatigue in patients with cancer. Alternative approaches based on the growing body of theoretical and research evidence should be adopted. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Patients require guidance in managing cancer-related fatigue. Nurses need to develop and evaluate relief interventions. Systematic research programs based on sound theoretical premises and previous research will contribute to the growing body of evidence to aid future management of this troublesome symptom.

Attention↗

PubMed1998

Fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy: patterns of change.

Fatigue is reported to be a significant and distressing problem for people receiving chemotherapy, but the phenomenon is poorly understood and little is known about the factors influencing it. Nurses need to understand the dimensions of fatigue in order to provide effective help for individuals with cancer who experience it. This article describes a study that employed a daily diary with the aim of prospectively charting the onset, pattern, duration, intensity, and distress associated with fatigue in 109 patients receiving chemotherapy. The diary comprised four visual analogue scales measuring selected dimensions of fatigue: extent of fatigue, distress caused by fatigue, the influence of fatigue on the ability to engage in social activities, and the impact of fatigue on work-related activities. The patients' diaries produced detailed time series of data that captured the dynamics of their fatigue. Analyses of these data revealed the patterns of fatigue after the administration of chemotherapy, which appear strongly related to both the timing of treatment and the manner in which cytotoxic agents are administered. Furthermore, Kruskal-Wallis tests performed to compare fatigue among subgroups of patients revealed that it is statistically associated with particular types of cancer, specific chemotherapy regimens, and certain methods of drug administration. Fatigue varied throughout the day, more frequently occurring in the afternoon and early evening. These insights, gained during this study about the likely pattern of fatigue in the period after the administration of chemotherapy, and the potential benefits of maintaining a fatigue diary could be utilized by nurses engaged in the care of chemotherapy patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Fatigue in patients with cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease: a phenomenological enquiry.

Fatigue is frequently experienced by patients with chronic illnesses, and especially by patients with cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease. However, there is a paucity of qualitative research into the experiences of fatigued individuals and, consequently, definitions of fatigue have, to date, been based solely on observation and conjecture. The purpose of this study was to capture a detailed description of the fatigue experienced by individuals with cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease. A phenomenological research design was adopted. The findings presented in this paper depict fatigue as a complex phenomenon. The paper describes the physical and mental sensations embodied in fatigue, the impact of fatigue on everyday functioning, the emotional feelings evoked by fatigue and the impact of fatigue on perceived control. These findings have relevance for clinical nursing and future research.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1996

Nurses' infection-control practice: hand decontamination, the use of gloves and sharp instruments.

Infection is an acknowledged hospital problem. Micro-organisms are disseminated mainly via hands but there is evidence that hand decontamination, the most important means of prevention, is performed too seldom, and not always after activities likely to result in heavy contamination. Nurses themselves are exposed to risks of infection, chiefly through contact with blood and body fluids, yet it has also been reported that gloves are not always worn during contact with patients' secretions and that the handling and disposal of sharp instruments may be performed unsafely. The study reported in this paper documents nursing behaviour in relation to hand decontamination, the use of gloves and sharps, taking into consideration a number of variables which could influence practice: availability of the expertise afforded by an infection-control nurse, clinical setting, nursing workload, knowledge and the resources available to control infection. Hands were decontaminated after 28.78% of patient contacts. Hands were decontaminated after 49.85% of activities likely to result in heavy contamination. Performance was related to nursing workload and the availability of hand decontaminating agents, especially when the nurses became busy. Use of gloves when they were available also proved good, with little evidence of wasteful use. The handling and disposal of sharps were commendable for most subjects but a few grossly unsafe incidents were nevertheless witnessed, apparently not associated with any of the variables examined.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

Fatigue: a concept analysis.

Fatigue is probably the most common symptom of illness affecting sufferers of both acute and chronic conditions. However, confusion surrounds the definition and use of the term fatigue. As with many other nursing concepts, it is a word that is commonly used in colloquial language. This concept analysis aims to identify the attributes that are essential to the concept of fatigue, and to distinguish between its colloquial and its nursing usage by following the strategy suggested by Walker and Avant (1995, Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing, Appleton Lange, London). A review of the literature identifies nursing uses of the term fatigue which reflect and conflict with colloquial uses. Defining attributes, demonstration cases, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents are identified before a definition of fatigue is developed and proposed for nursing. This clarification of the phenomenon has particular relevance for clinical nursing, future research and the development of fatigue theories.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1996

The role of information in patients' adaptation to chemotherapy and radiotherapy: a review of the literature.

This paper reviews the literature concerning the role of information in facilitating patients' adaptation to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The relationship between information and patient self-efficacy is examined, and the information requirements of cancer patients receiving treatment are reviewed. Finally, studies evaluating informational interventions for patients receiving either chemotherapy or radiotherapy are critiqued before recommendations for practice are formulated.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1996

The experience of fatigue and other symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Fatigue has been recognized as the most frequently reported symptom of cancer and cancer therapy. There is a lack of research on such aspects as the pattern of fatigue which accompanies treatment, its exacerbating and relieving factors, the different mechanisms of fatigue and its relationship with the factors purported to be related to the fatigue experience. It has been suggested that cancer patients may be those best placed to reveal the likely causes of fatigue. As part of a larger study examining the pattern of fatigue in cancer patients who were undergoing a course of chemotherapy treatment, patients' perceptions of fatigue and tiredness and the nature, pattern and causes of fatigue in relation to cancer and its treatment were obtained. In addition to a diary, interviews were conducted at two time points, at the beginning and end of a cycle of chemotherapy, with over 100 cancer patients. Just under 90% of the sample reported fatigue at some point during a cycle of chemotherapy. The majority of the sample did not consider tiredness and fatigue to constitute the same feelings. Subjects attributed their fatigue to a combination of factors but most frequently mentioned treatment, changes in sleep patterns and other symptoms. Implications for practice and research are outlined.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Nurses' views of infection control: an interview study.

An interview study was conducted among 173 nurses in two hospitals to explore their views concerning infection risks to themselves and patients and to identify any problems they perceived in safely performing infection control precautions during routine activities. Subjects were interested in the topic of infection control and keen to perform optimally, but perceived difficulties related to lack of expert guidance whether or not they had access to an infection control nurse. In one hospital subjects identified shortages of vital equipment (gloves, appropriate handwashing agents), and this was corroborated on a checklist used independently to document the availability of resources. When the opinions of nurses working in intensive care, surgical and medical units were compared, few differences emerged other than those explained by variation in supplies of equipment, except that intensive care unit nurses were more likely to rate their patients and themselves as particularly at risk of infection, Nurses who had been qualified longer, with more than 3 years experience in their specialty, were more conscious of infection risks.

Cross Infection↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Assessing nurses' hand decontamination performance.

There have been numerous attempts to assess the frequency and technique of nurses' hand decontamination, but criteria employed to define acceptable levels of practice are questionable, while comparisons between staff in different clinical settings appear never to have been undertaken. In the study reported here tight criteria were developed to evaluate performance, then used to compare nurses employed in three clinical settings: intensive care, surgical and medical units. Two hospitals were employed, one with an infection control nurse, the other without. Frequency was highest in the ICU of the second hospital, but technique was superior in ICUs regardless of hospital. Half of all opportunities for essential decontamination were, however, omitted. Technique appeared superior to earlier reports. Alcoholic hand-rub was readily available and used more often in the unit where the best practice was witnessed.

Hand Disinfection↗