Digital Commons Network^™

Further Validation Of The Perceptions Of Uncertainties In Genome Sequencing Scale Among Patients With Cancer Undergoing Tumor Sequencing, Kendall L. Umstead, Rachel Campbell, Christine E. Napier, Nicole Bartley, Megan C. Best, Phyllis N. Butow, Barbara B. Biesecker

IES Papers and Journal Articles

It is important to understand how individuals perceive uncertainties and the consequent impact on their psychological well-being and health behavior. The Perceptions of Uncertainties in Genome Sequencing (PUGS) scale measures clinical, affective, and evaluative uncertainties about information from sequencing. The PUGS scale has been shown to be valid and reliable among individuals receiving results about their genomes. This study assessed whether its validity generalized to patients with cancer undergoing tumor sequencing. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on data from the Molecular Screening and Therapeutics Program (n = 310) to identify a measurement model. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was …

What Is The Role Of Spiritual Care Specialists In Teaching Generalist Spiritual Care? The Perspectives Of Pastoral Care Staff In A Large Catholic Health And Aged Care Organisation, Kate Fiona Jones, Jennifer Washington, Matthew Kearney, Megan C. Best

IES Papers and Journal Articles

The value of spiritual care training for all staff working in health and aged care has been demonstrated. This study investigated how spiritual care specialists (SCSs) perceive their role in delivering spiritual care education to other staff. Fourteen SCSs participated in three online focus groups. Two key themes were identified: First, SCSs build upon existing capacity of staff by: (i) recognising existing strengths and capabilities; (ii) using relevant stories; (iii) using language which makes spiritual care accessible; (iv) making training relevant and practical; (v) tapping into staff vocation or calling; and (vi) building awareness of one’s own spirituality. Second, SCSs …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Cancer Patients, Their Carers And Oncology Health Professionals: A Qualitative Study, P Butow, P E. Havard, Z Butt, I Juraskova, H Sharpe, H Dhillon, L Beatty, P Beale, M Cigolini, B Kelly, R J. Chan, L Kirsten, Megan Best, J Shaw

IES Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Cancer patients, carers and oncology health professionals have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways, but their experiences and psychosocial responses to the pandemic are still being explored. This study aimed to document the experience of Australians living with cancer, family carers, and Oncology health professionals (HPs) when COVID-19 first emerged.

Methods: In this qualitative study, participants (cancer patients currently receiving treatment, family carers and HPs) completed a semi-structured interview exploring their experiences of COVID-19 and the impact it had on cancer care. Participants also completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (patients) and the Depression, Anxiety …

End Stage Kidney Disease Patient Experiences Of Renal Supportive Care In An Australian Teaching Hospital: A Qualitative Study, Eloise Sobels, Megan Best, Steve Chadban, Riona Pais

IES Papers and Journal Articles

Context

Renal Supportive Care Services (RSCS) were introduced in Australia to provide patient-centred care with a focus on better symptom management and improved quality of life in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients managed with or without dialysis. While RSCS have demonstrated clinical benefits with reduced length of hospital stay and symptom burden, there is a gap in understanding the experience of patients referred to RSCS.

Objectives

To identify patient attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives on the RSCS.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 participants from both dialysis and conservative treatment pathways. Transcripts were then thematically analysed and primary themes …

Psychological Predictors Of Advanced Cancer Patients' Preferences For Return Of Results From Comprehensive Tumor Genomic Profiling, Bettina Meiser, Phyllis Butow, Grace Davies, Christine Napier, Timothy Schlub, Nicci Bartley, Ilona Juraskova, Mandy Ballinger, David M. Thomas, Kathy Tucker, David Goldstein, Barbara Biesecker, Megan Best

IES Papers and Journal Articles

This study assessed the psychological predictors of preferences for return of comprehensive tumor genomic profiling (CTGP) results in patients with advanced cancers, enrolled in the Molecular Screening and Therapeutics Program. Patients completed a questionnaire prior to undergoing CTGP. Of the 1434 who completed a questionnaire, 96% would like to receive results that can guide treatment for their cancer, and preference for receiving this type of result was associated with lower tolerance of uncertainty. Sixty-four percent would like to receive results that cannot guide treatment, and lower tolerance of uncertainty, self-efficacy, and perceived importance were associated with this preference. Fifty-nine …

Validation Of The Knowledge Of Genome Sequencing (Kogs) Scale In Cancer Patients, P Butow, C Napier, R Campbell, N Bartley, Megan Best, M L. Ballinger

IES Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: The Knowledge of Genome Sequencing (KOGS) questionnaire was recently developed to measure knowledge of genomic sequencing (GS), with preliminary psychometric data supporting its reliability and validity. The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the KOGS in a larger sample, and to confirm its utility in a cancer setting.

Methods: The Genetic Cancer Risk in the Young (RisC) study recruits participants with a personal history of cancer, to investigate heritable cancer causes and future cancer risk using germline GS. Participants (n = 261) in a psychosocial substudy of RisC completed a questionnaire after consent …

Factors Influencing Military Personnel Utilizing Chaplains: A Literature Scoping Review, Mark D. Layson, Katie Tunks Leach, Lindsay B. Carey, Megan C. Best

IES Papers and Journal Articles

Chaplains have been embedded in military settings for over a millennium. In recent years however, the decline in spiritual/religious (S/R) affiliation of military personnel across Western cultures has led to some commentators questioning the utilization of religious chaplains by defence personnel. This scoping review maps the literature on S/R and non-S/R factors that influence utilizing military chaplains— with a particular emphasis on the Australian military context. A systematic scoping review of tertiary literature databases using Arksey and O’Malley (2003) and Joanna Briggs Institute methodologies (JBI, 2021), revealed a total of 33 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results fell into three …

Psychological Outcomes In Advanced Cancer Patients After Receiving Genomic Tumor Profiling Results, Sabina Vatter, Timothy E. Schlub, Christine E. Napier, Megan C. Best, Nicci Bartley, Ilona Juraskova, Bettina Meiser, Mandy L. Ballinger, Barbara B. Biesecker, David Goldstein, David M. Thomas, Phyllis Butow, Members Of The Pigeon Project

IES Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Comprehensive tumor genomic profiling (CGP) offers hope for personalized treatment for cancer patients when other treatment options have been exhausted. However, receipt of nonactionable or ambiguous results could be an ongoing source of distress. We investigated patterns of hope, anxiety, depression, and CGP-specific anxiety in advanced cancer patients after receiving CGP results and 2–3months later.

Method: Participants were enrolled in a longitudinal psychosocial substudy, embedded in the Molecular Screening and Therapeutics Program, and had advanced solid cancers of any histological type with sufficient and accessible tissue for CGP. At T0 (before receiving CGP results), 1,431 participants completed sociodemographic, disease …