RT Prepare: a radiation therapist-delivered intervention reduces psychological distress in women with breast cancer referred for radiotherapy

Halkett, Georgia; O’Connor, Moira; Jefford, Michael; Aranda, Sanchia; Merchant, Susan; Spry, Nigel; Kane, Robert; Shaw, Thérèse; Youens, David; Moorin, Rachael; Schofield, Penelope

doi:10.1038/s41416-018-0112-z

Cited by 43 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Briefly, of 218 controls and 190 intervention participants recruited, the mean ages were 55.9 and 57.9, the proportions in a relationship were 68.3% and 65.3%, English was spoken at home by 94.5% and 95.8%, chemotherapy had been received or was being received by 49.1% and 53.7%, 58.3% and 54.7% were employed or studying, and other health conditions were reported by 51.6% and 54.7%, respectively …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the pilot study showed a trend towards lower anxiety and concerns about radiotherapy and higher knowledge . Results of our large multisite study demonstrated that compared with usual care, intervention participants reported lower psychological distress at treatment commencement ( P = .01); lower concerns about radiotherapy ( P < .01); higher knowledge ( P < .001); higher preparedness for procedural concerns ( P < .001); and higher preparedness for sensory‐psychological concerns at treatment planning ( P < .001) …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Reporting follows the Consolidated Health Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement . Trial methods have been published previously and are summarised below …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Usual care patients received standard care provided in each department, which consisted of patients being provided with information by their radiation oncologist, radiation oncology nurse, and RTs at their initial radiation oncologist appointment, treatment planning, and on the first day of treatment (see the Supporting Information of previous manuscript) …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data were collected at each site first from usual care participants, then from intervention participants immediately following the implementation of the intervention. RT training was provided after 12 months at site 2, 18 months at site 1, and 24 months at site 3 . Baseline surveys were conducted between seeing the radiation oncologist and the treatment planning session.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of RT Prepare: A radiation therapist–delivered intervention for reducing psychological distress prior to radiotherapy

et al. 2019

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Objective: To determine the cost-effectiveness of RT Prepare in reducing breast cancer patients' psychological distress before treatment, compared with usual care.Methods: RT Prepare, an intervention involving patient education and support consultations with a radiation therapist (RT), was implemented at three Australian sites (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration: ACTRN12611001000998). The primary outcome was change in psychological distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); secondary outcomes were changes in quality of life (QoL) and additional health service use. Costs (2015 $AU) included consultation time and training delivery. Between-group comparisons of HADS and QoL used generalised linear mixed models, and comparisons of health service use used negative binomial regression. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) indicated mean costs per 1-point decrease in HADS score. Sensitivity analyses explored variation in facility size and uncertainty in intervention effectiveness. a sensitivity analysis representing a large facility with higher patient numbers. Conclusion:This study provides new data on the cost-effectiveness of an RT-delivered intervention to reduce psychological distress prior to treatment, which will be useful to inform delivery of similar services. As most costs were upfront, cost-effectiveness would likely improve if implemented as standard care.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Reporting follows the Consolidated Health Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement . Trial methods have been published previously and are summarised below …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of RT Prepare: A radiation therapist–delivered intervention for reducing psychological distress prior to radiotherapy

et al. 2019

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Empowering patients in decision‐making in radiation oncology – can we do better?

et al. 2020

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The decision as to whether or not a patient should receive radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment is based on evidence-based practice and on recommended international consensus treatment guidelines. However, the merit of involving the patients' individual preferences and values in the treatment decision is frequently overlooked. Here, we review the current literature pertaining to shared decision-making (SDM) in the field of radiation oncology, including discussion of the patient's perception of radiation therapy as a treatment option and patient involvement in clinical trials. The merit of decision aids during the SDM process in radiation oncology is considered, as are patient preferences for active or passive involvement in decisions about their treatment. Clarity of terminology, a better understanding of effective strategies and increased resources will be needed to ensure SDM in radiation oncology becomes a reality.

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What is the effect of a low literacy talking book on patient knowledge, anxiety and communication before radiation therapy starts? A pilot study

Smith

Stefanic

Shaw

et al. 2022

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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Introduction Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment, requiring timely information to help patients prepare for treatment. We pilot tested a low literacy, psycho‐educational talking book (written booklet, with accompanying audio recording) to examine (i) the effect of the tool on knowledge, anxiety and communication; (ii) acceptability, and (iii) how it was used in appointments. Methods A pre‐post design was employed. Patients scheduled to receive radiation therapy for any cancer were recruited from two hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Participants were sent the talking book before treatment planning and completed baseline and follow‐up surveys, before and after the intervention. Results Forty participants were recruited, and 39 completed all study assessments. Overall, knowledge increased after receiving the talking book by 3.8 points from 13.9 to 17.7/20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7, 4.8, P < 0.001). Anxiety and concerns were significantly lower after receiving the talking book (P = 0.015 and P = 0.004, respectively). Nearly half of participants (s = 17, 48%) reported using the book during appointments. Most reported finding it easier to communicate (n = 31, 89%) and to ask more questions (n = 21, 62%). Conclusion The talking book shows promise in improving knowledge, reducing anxiety and enhancing communication. Strategies to support the implementation of the talking book are required. Further studies to translate the book into different languages are also planned.

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RT Prepare: a radiation therapist-delivered intervention reduces psychological distress in women with breast cancer referred for radiotherapy

Cited by 43 publications

References 52 publications

Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of RT Prepare: A radiation therapist–delivered intervention for reducing psychological distress prior to radiotherapy

Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of RT Prepare: A radiation therapist–delivered intervention for reducing psychological distress prior to radiotherapy

Empowering patients in decision‐making in radiation oncology – can we do better?

What is the effect of a low literacy talking book on patient knowledge, anxiety and communication before radiation therapy starts? A pilot study

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