| 1. |
- Klasson, Caritha, et al.
(author)
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Sex Differences in the Effect of Vitamin D on Fatigue in Palliative Cancer Care : A Post Hoc Analysis of the Randomized, Controlled Trial 'Palliative-D'
- 2022
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In: Cancers. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6694. ; 14:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial 'Palliative-D', vitamin D treatment of 4000 IE/day for 12 weeks reduced opioid use and fatigue in vitamin-D-deficient cancer patients. In screening data from this trial, lower levels of vitamin D were associated with more fatigue in men but not in women. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible sex differences in the effect of vitamin D in patients with advanced cancer, with a specific focus on fatigue. A post hoc analysis of sex differences in patients completing the Palliative-D study (n = 150) was performed. Fatigue assessed with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) was reduced in vitamin-D-treated men; -1.50 ESAS points (95%CI -2.57 to -0.43; p = 0.007) but not in women; -0.75 (95%CI -1.85 to 0.36; p = 0.18). Fatigue measured with EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL had a borderline significant effect in men (-0.33 (95%CI -0.67 to 0.03; p = 0.05)) but not in women (p = 0.55). The effect on fatigue measured with ESAS in men remained the same after adjustment for opioid doses (p = 0.01). In conclusion, the positive effect of the correction of vitamin D deficiency on fatigue may be more pronounced in men than in women. However, studies focused on analyzing sex differences in this context must be performed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
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| 2. |
- Klasson, Caritha, et al.
(author)
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Vitamin D and Fatigue in Palliative Cancer : A Cross-Sectional Study of Sex Difference in Baseline Data from the Palliative D Cohort
- 2021
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In: Journal of Palliative Medicine. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1096-6218 .- 1557-7740. ; 24:3, s. 433-437
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. Previous studies have shown an association between low vitamin D levels and fatigue. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vitamin D levels and self-assessed fatigue in cancer patients admitted to palliative care, with focus on possible sex differences. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Subjects: Baseline data from 530 screened patients, 265 women and 265 men, from the randomized placebo-controlled trial "Palliative-D" were analyzed. Measurements: Vitamin D status was measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and fatigue was assessed with EORTC-QLQ-PAL15 and with Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Results: In men, there was a significant correlation between 25-OHD and fatigue measured with the "Tiredness question" (Q11) in EORTC-QLQ-PAL15 (p < 0.05), where higher 25-OHD levels were associated with less fatigue. No correlation between 25-OHD and fatigue was seen for women. Fatigue measured with ESAS did not show any significant association with 25-OHD levels neither in men nor in women. Conclusion: Low vitamin D levels were associated with more fatigue in men but not in women. The study underscores the importance of subgroup analysis of men and women when evaluating the effect of vitamin D in clinical trials since the effect may differ between the sexes. The ongoing "Palliative-D study" will reveal whether vitamin D supplementation may counteract fatigue in both men and women.ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT03038516.
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| 3. |
- Browall, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a New Short Version of the Swedish Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale
- 2021
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In: Cancer Nursing. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 44:4, s. 305-313
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying (FATCOD) is widely used as a measure of attitudes toward care of dying patients. However, poor factor structure and item redundancy have been reported across the literature.OBJECTIVE: A short version of the questionnaire is needed, to facilitate effective assessments of the attitudes of those caring for dying patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a FATCOD-Short Form and to secure its psychometric properties.INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: Data gathered from 1000 nurses in previous studies were pooled and reanalyzed. Principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were utilized to assess the factor structure of the FATCOD-30. A Rasch model was used to evaluate the measurement functioning of the scale.RESULTS: Of the original 30 items, 9 items of FATCOD were chosen for retention in the short form based on the principal components analysis, floor or ceiling effects, interitem correlations, and item-total correlation. All 9 items had good internal reliability. Both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis supported the unidimensionality of the FATCOD-Short Form.CONCLUSIONS: The 9-item FATCOD-Short Form demonstrates evidence of acceptable validity and reliability to identify nurses' attitudes toward caring for dying persons because of its brevity and comprehensive content.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: When changing curricula in nursing education or implementing new procedures in nursing practice, it is important to have valid instruments to evaluate the results of the change. Such instruments should not be too lengthy or complicated. FATCOD-Short Form is a brief and valid instrument that can be easily used.
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| 4. |
- Craftman, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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Home care assistants' attitudes and perceptions of caring for people at the end of life in their homes in Sweden
- 2022
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In: Health & Social Care in the Community. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0966-0410 .- 1365-2524. ; 30:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ageing population is increasing worldwide, with older people often having multimorbidity and a need for help with activities and personal care. Home Care Assistants (HCAs) are central to the provision of care in the home. They meet older people approaching the end of life and their relatives. Little is known about HCAs attitudes towards caring for a dying person and how aspects such as education, age, earlier care experiences, care education and experience of caring for dying older people affect their attitudes. The aim was to describe HCAs' attitudes towards the care of dying persons living in their ordinary homes. This cross-sectional study used the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale (FATCOD) for data collection during December 2017 and January 2018, and descriptive statistics and regression analysis for data analysis. The participants were HCAs (n = 127, 96% of those eligible) in a municipality in central Sweden. An overall positive attitude was reported. About 32% lacked formal HCA education although 93% had experience of interacting with a dying person. Age, HCA education, internal palliative care education, number of years' experience and previous experience of caring for a dying person were independently associated with HCAs' attitudes. In the multivariate regression analysis, age and years of experience were the only significant predictors of HCAs' attitudes towards caring for dying care recipients. Young employees without HCA education and experience of a dying person might be vulnerable in situations involving caring for a dying person. Communicating about death and dying, forming a relationship with the care recipient and the family, and providing care when a person is dying can be challenging. Implications: Young employees without HCA education and experience of interacting with a dying person needs to be prepared for the situation. This needs to be considered by stakeholders and social and healthcare organisations.
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| 6. |
- Eriksson, Linda Victoria, et al.
(author)
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Symptom burden and recovery in the first year after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- 2023
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In: Cancer Nursing. - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 46:1, s. 77-85
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients are affected by various symptoms after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) that can affect recovery. Research has mainly focused on symptom occurrence; thus, little is known about patients' overall symptom burden.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine patient-reported symptom burden in the first year after allo-HSCT and whether a high symptom burden 4 months after allo-HSCT predicts recovery, that is, general health and sick leave, 1 year after transplantation.METHODS: Allo-HSCT patients aged 18 to 65 years were included (n = 189). Questionnaire data were collected on admission to the allo-HSCT unit, as well as 4 and 7 months and 1 year after allo-HSCT. Logistic regression evaluated relationships between demographic characteristics, chronic graft-versus-host disease, physical activity, and a high symptom burden.RESULTS: Tiredness, susceptibility to infection, disinterest in sex, and physical weakness remained the most frequent symptoms, while distressing symptoms varied during the first year after allo-HSCT.Poor general health 1 year after allo-HSCT was associated with older age, low physical activity, and a high symptom burden 4 months after allo-HSCT. Full-time sick leave 1 year after allo-HSCT was associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease, low physical activity, and a high symptom burden 4 months after transplantation.CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing a high symptom burden 4 months after allo-HSCT can affect recovery 1 year after transplantation. Furthermore, low physical activity 4 months after allo-HSCT can predict both general health and sick leave 1 year after transplantation.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Repeated symptom assessment, including experienced distress, is central for reducing overall symptom burden and supporting recovery after allo-HSCT.
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| 7. |
- Fristedt, Sofi, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Registered nurses and undergraduate nursing students' attitudes to performing end-of-life care
- 2021
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In: Nurse Education Today. - : Elsevier BV. - 0260-6917 .- 1532-2793. ; 98
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Registered Nurses (RNs) are in the immediate position to provide End-of-life (EOL) care and counselling for patients and families in various settings. However, EOL-care often creates feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy linked to inexperience, lack of education, and attitude. To identify and describe factors associated with RNs' attitudes towards EOL-care, and to identify whether and how these attitudes differ from undergraduate nursing students' (UNSs) attitudes, a descriptive and comparative, quantitative study was performed. The FATCOD-instrument, focusing on attitude towards EOL-care, was used and the results analysed with descriptive and nonparametric statistics. In total, 287 RNs in 14 different specialist programmes, and 124 UNSs participated. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.032) was found in attitude towards EOL-care based on clinical experience. RNs in “Acute Care” and “Paediatric & Psychiatry Care” specialist programmes had a less positive attitude towards EOL-care (compared to RNs in other specialist programmes), while RNs attending the Palliative Care programme had the most positive attitudes. RNs and UNSs' scores differed statistically significantly in 17 out of 30 FATCOD variables. Finally, the results imply that there is a need for greater emphasis on further continuing education within EOL care for RNs working in all types of clinical specialities to encourage RNs talking about death and to enhance attitudes towards EOL care. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
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| 8. |
- Gransjön Craftman, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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Caring for older people with dementia reliving past trauma
- 2020
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In: Nursing Ethics. - : Sage Publications. - 0969-7330 .- 1477-0989. ; 27:2, s. 621-633
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The occurrence of behavioural changes and problems, and degree of paranoid thoughts, are significantly higher among people who have experienced extreme trauma such as during the Holocaust. People with dementia and traumatic past experiences may have flashbacks reminding them of these experiences, which is of relevance in caring situations. In nursing homes for people with dementia, nursing assistants are often the group of staff who provide help with personal needs. They have firsthand experience of care and managing the devastating outcomes of inadequate understanding of a person's past experiences.Aim: The aim was to describe nursing assistants' experiences of caring for older people with dementia who have experienced Holocaust trauma.Research design: A qualitative descriptive and inductive approach was used, including qualitative interviews and content analysis.Participants and research context: Nine nursing assistants from a Jewish nursing home were interviewed. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board, Stockholm.Findings: The theme 'Adapting and following the survivors' expression of their situation' was built on two categories: Knowing the life story enables adjustments in the care and Need for flexibility in managing emotional expressions.Discussion and conclusion: The world still witnesses genocidal violence and such traumatic experiences will therefore be reflected in different ways when caring for survivors with dementia in the future. Person-centred care and an awareness of the meaning of being a survivor of severe trauma make it possible to avoid negative triggers, and confirm emotions and comfort people during negative flashbacks in caring situations and environments. Nursing assistants' patience and empathy were supported by a wider understanding of the behaviour of people with dementia who have survived trauma.
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| 9. |
- Holmberg, Katarina, et al.
(author)
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Dismantle and rebuild : The importance of preparedness and self-efficacy before, during and after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation
- 2024
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In: Journal of cancer survivorship. - 1932-2259 .- 1932-2267.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences of being prepared for allogenic haematopoietic cell transplantation and to explore their perceived self-efficacy and preparedness for self-care after allogenic haematopoietic cell transplantation.METHODS: Nine participants, who recently underwent allo-HCT, were interviewed regarding their views on preparedness, self-efficacy and self-care. The interviews were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: An overarching theme, Life is taken apart, then you have to know how to put the pieces together, and four sub-themes: Convert information into something understandable; Taking responsibility, maintaining and preparing for an uncertain time in life; Balancing vigilance with independence; and Reorientating in an altered body places new demands on self-care illustrate the dismantlement of life during treatment and how actions and approaches can build a new life.CONCLUSIONS: Both participants and healthcare professionals prioritised preparing for allo-HCT in the period before admission. However, during admission, preparation decreased and the time was not used for preparatory learning. This meant that participants were well prepared for the acute phase but unprepared for life after completion of treatment. Among the participants, self-efficacy was good. They sought information about taking care of their health before and in the aftermath of allo-HCT.IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This study provides insight into, and knowledge about, how patients prepare before, during and after treatment. This knowledge should primarily be directed towards healthcare professionals to be used for future patients who may need advice and support, as well as continued preparation for a life after transplantation.
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| 10. |
- Holmberg, Katarina, et al.
(author)
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Nursing as a balancing act in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation : Nurses' experiences through participation in workshops
- 2023
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In: European Journal of Oncology Nursing. - : Elsevier. - 1462-3889 .- 1532-2122. ; 63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeRegistered nurses have a key role in supporting patients during the trajectory of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). However, the circumstances for performing nursing are not previously outlined therefore the purpose of this study was to explore the conditions for nursing care in allo-HCT.MethodAn explorative design, inspired by Experienced based co-design was used to gather experiences, thoughts and visions of nursing care in allo-HCT by means of workshops. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data.ResultAn overarching theme that was defined from the data was nursing as a balancing act and illustrating conditions for performing nursing in a highly medical-technical environment. The theme included three sub-themes: Fragmented care vs holistic care outlining how the holistic approach to care disappeared when the care became fragmented; Proximity vs distance illuminating the balance between seeing the patient as an independent person despite illness and the need for support; Teamwork vs stand-alone demonstrating the difficulties inherent in adapting to both teamwork and independence in nursing.ConclusionThis study shows that the conditions for RNs and nursing care in allo-HCT care is to balance tasks and approach towards the patient and themselves. RNs must weigh and balance what is most important in the moment and where something else often has to be put aside. It is difficult for RNs to find the time to plan each patient's care and to support the patient in the way they see as most optimal to prepare for discharge, self-care and rehabilitation.
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