| Autor: |
Julius, Anet, Croke, Jennifer, Giannopoulos, Eleni, Manhertz, Jodi Ann, Lawrie, Karen, Quartey, Naa Kwarley, Papadakos, Janet |
| Zdroj: |
Journal of Cancer Education; Aug2023, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p1200-1207, 8p, 3 Charts, 1 Graph |
| Abstrakt: |
Brachytherapy (BT) plays a fundamental role in the treatment of gynecological cancers. Patient education for vaginal self-management and dilator use post-BT involves an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and there is a paucity of post-BT education guidelines. Our objective was to determine the educational needs of gynecological cancer patients surrounding vaginal self-management post-BT and to determine enablers and barriers to the provision of education by HCPs. This cross-sectional study recruited gynecological oncology patients receiving external beam radiotherapy and BT for curative intent. Patients completed a questionnaire to assess their vaginal self-management educational needs, preferred education modality, and desired timing of post-BT education. HCPs were invited to complete a questionnaire to identify enablers and barriers to providing BT education. Twenty patients and 53 HCPs participated. All patients rated each topic as very important/important with information about preventing vaginal stenosis as the most important overall (89%). When asked about topics they addressed during BT education, most HCPs reported that "explaining what vaginal stenosis is and the negative effects of stenosis" was always discussed with patients (N = 37/49, 77%). Barriers to providing post-BT education, including the patients' language and culture, as well as enablers, such as the use of written resources and tools for patients, were identified. Despite a high level of engagement, current education surrounding vaginal self-management post-BT may be inadequate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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