Rasch analysis of positive changes following adversity in cancer patients attending community support groups

Abstract

The two domains verified by Rasch analysis can be used through Rasch-transformed measures to make further statistical inference when comparing positive changes following adversity within and between cancer groups. The psychometric properties of the PBS verified by Rasch modeling fit to the unidimensionality, but need a huge sample size to support its validity and reliability in future studies. Nonetheless, we should be cautious to make comparisons among types of cancer patients due to DIF exhibited in scale.

Values and options in cancer care (VOICE): study design and rationale for a patient-centered communication and decision-making intervention for physicians, patients with advanced cancer, and their caregivers

“…Ecological theory has successfully predicted that (a) assertive patient behaviors such as making requests, asking questions, and expressing opinions generally promote physicians’ patient-centered behaviors [29,32,34], (b) physicians’ facilitative behaviors such as addressing patients’ concerns and helping patients to participate in care reinforce patient assertiveness [13,35], and (c) when caregivers are present in consultations, they can align the efforts of clinicians and patients towards common communication goals and help patients to understand and use relevant information [36,37]. Ecological theory also partially explains paradoxical results in which some outcomes, such as patient satisfaction and physician frustration, worsen when patients are trained to communicate assertively and physicians are unprepared for change [22,34].…”

Using a bubble chart to enhance adherence to quality-of-care guidelines for colorectal cancer patients

“…2009) have reported that positive social relationships are an important contextual factor for positive thinking and goal attainment. Positive changes following adversity were significantly associated with and ascribed to the duration of patient attendance in community‐based cancer support groups (Chien et al . 2011a).…”

Effects of an intervention on nutrition consultation for cancer patients

“…Nutritional intervention is usually considered to be a treatment option that helps patients to preserve usual body weight and food intake as well as prevent nutrient deficiencies (Chien et al . ). Although an appropriate assessment method for evaluating the status of malnutrition is vital for comparing patients' malnutrition status (Gavazzi et al .…”

“…The malnutrition rate for hospitalised patients in the UK is approximately 40%, and 75% of patients will lose weight after being hospitalised for a week (McWhirter & Pennington 1994). Nutritional intervention is usually considered to be a treatment option that helps patients to preserve usual body weight and food intake as well as prevent nutrient deficiencies (Chien et al 2010b). Although an appropriate assessment method for evaluating the status of malnutrition is vital for comparing patients' malnutrition status (Gavazzi et al 2011;Tu et al 2012) and many nutritional assessment methods, such as SGA (Detsky et al 1987), the MUST (malnutrition universal screening tool) (Stratton et al 2004), and the NRI (nutritional risk index) (Buzby et al 1988;Corish et al 2004), have been most commonly applied to clinical settings, the individual item-by-item (like survey 1 in this study) box plot method has been criticised (Chien et al 2009) because of its measurement errors.…”

“…Although a specialised dietitian may be best able to help discharged cancer patients establish a healthful diet and recommend nutritional choices that will improve their quality of life, family members are key partners in nutrition and physical activity interventions (Chien et al 2010b). Communication and coordination are essential, ideally with a nutrition consult after treatment and when the patient is discharged from the hospital.…”