Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T09:47:37.106Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

How does fatigue management education impact radiographer competence and confidence in supporting patients during radiotherapy?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2017

L. Tolson  and
A. Jessop
L. Tolson*
Affiliation:
Radiotherapy Department, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, UK
A. Jessop
Affiliation:
City Campus, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
*
Correspondence to: L. Tolson, Radiotherapy Department, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG, UK. Tel: 01225 824564. E-mail: lisa.tolson@nhs.net
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Aim

The primary outcome of this study is to establish whether fatigue management education impacts on radiographers’ perceived competence and confidence in supporting patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

A single-centre mixed method study was conducted. Participants completed a questionnaire determining baseline fatigue support practice, undertook an education package, then repeated the questionnaire to determine any change in their competence and confidence. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into practice and perceived barriers.

Results

In all, 17 radiographers (100%) participated. Some areas of practice were affected significantly by the education package, namely highlighting the need for training, perceived competence and confidence in providing support, knowledge of effective treatment options and risk factors, the effect of fatigue on the patient and greater agreement that their professional qualification means they are qualified to support patients with fatigue.

Findings

Fatigue management education impacts on radiographers’ perceived competence and confidence in supporting patients during their radiotherapy. Interviews highlighted that knowledge of cancer-related fatigue is built up through day-to-day practice. Although there is greater awareness and support of fatigue, barriers exist, including patient compliance, lack of practical training, provision to monitor patients and unclear referral pathways.

Keywords

competence and confidenceeducationfatigueradiographerradiotherapy
Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 16 , Issue 4 , December 2017 , pp. 361 - 374
Check for updates
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Society and College of Radiographers. Consent to Imaging and Radiotherapy Treatment Examinations. London: Society and College of Radiographers, 2007.Google Scholar
2. Cowan, D. Research Issues in Health and Social Care. Keswick: M&K Update Ltd, 2009.Google Scholar
3. Jereczek-Fossa, B, Marsiglia, H, Orrechia, R. Radiotherapy-related fatigue. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2002; 41 (3): 317–325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Wagner, L, Cella, D. Fatigue and cancer: causes, prevalence and treatment approaches. Br J Cancer 2004; 91: 822–828.Google Scholar
5. Noal, S, Levy, C, Hardouin, A et al. One-year longitudinal study of fatigue, cognitive functions, and quality of life after adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2011; 81 (3): 795–803.Google Scholar
6. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Cancer-Related Fatigue. Version 1. Fort Washington, MD: National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2009.Google Scholar
7. Dilhuydy, J, Dilhuydy, M, Ouhtatou, F, Laporte, C, Nguyen, T, Vendrely, V. Fatigue et radiothérapie: Revue de la litterature. Cancer Radiothér 2001; 11 (5): 131–138.Google Scholar
8.National Cancer Survivorship Initiative. Living with and beyond cancer, 2013. http://www.ncsi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Living-with-and-beyond-2013. Accessed on 4th April 2016.Google Scholar
9. Society and College of Radiographers. The Scope of Practice. London: Society and College of Radiographers, 2013.Google Scholar
10. Kuchinski, A, Reading, M, Lash, A. Treatment-related fatigue and exercise in patients with cancer: a systematic review. Medsurg Nurs 2009; 18 (3): 174–180.Google Scholar
11. Society and College of Radiographers. Positioning Therapeutic Radiographers Within Cancer Services: Delivering Patient-Centred Care. London: Society and College of Radiographers, 2006.Google Scholar
12. Eddy, A. Advanced practice for therapy radiographers – a discussion paper. Radiography 2008; 14 (1): 24–31.Google Scholar
13.Health and Care Professions Council. Continuing Professional Development and Your Registration. London, 2015.Google Scholar
14. Society and College of Radiographers. Roles and Responsibilities in Clinical Education. London: Society and College of Radiographers, 2011.Google Scholar
15. Henwood, S, Flinton, D. 5 years on: have attitudes towards continuing professional development in radiography changed? Radiography 2012; 18 (3): 179–183.Google Scholar
16. Mackenzie, N, Knipe, S. Research dilemmas: paradigms, methods and methodology. Issues Educ Res 2006; 16: 193–205.Google Scholar
17. Griffiths, D, Hodgson, D. A study investigating professional attitudes and confidence in providing sexuality information to prostate cancer patients. J Radiother Pract 2011; 18: 215–227.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18. Magnan, M, Reynolds, K, Galvin, E. Barriers to addressing patient sexuality in nursing practice. Medsurg Nurs 2005; 14: 282–289.Google Scholar
19. Rattray, J, Jones, M. Essential elements of questionnaire design and development. J Clin Nurs 2007; 16 (2): 234–243.Google Scholar
20. Connelly, LM. Pilot studies. Medsurg Nurs 2008; 17 (6): 411–412.Google ScholarPubMed
21. http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm. Accessed on 1st February 2016.Google Scholar
22. NHS Health Research Authority. 2013. www.hra.nhs.uk/documents/2013/09/defining-research.pdf. Accessed on 12th May 2016.Google Scholar
23. Braun, V, Clarke, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 2006; 3 (2): 77–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24.Holistic needs assessment http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Aboutus/Healthandsocialcareprofessionals/Macmillansprogrammesandservices/RecoveryPackage/HolisticNeedsAssessment.aspx. Accessed on 6th April 2016.Google Scholar
25. Windsor, P, Nicol, K, Potter, J. A randomized, controlled trial of aerobic exercise for treatment-related fatigue in men receiving radical external beam radiotherapy for localized prostate carcinoma. Cancer 2004; 101: 550–557.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26. Velthuis, M, Agasi-Idenburg, S, Aufdemkampe, G, Wittink, H. The effect of physical exercise on cancer-related fatigue during cancer treatment: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clin Oncol 2010; 22 (3): 208–221.Google Scholar
27. Berger, A, Mitchell, S, Jacobsen, P, Pirl, W. Screening, evaluation, and management of cancer-related fatigue: ready for implementation to practice? CA Cancer J Clin 2015; 65 (3): 190–211.Google Scholar
28. Borneman, T, Koczywas, M, Sun, V, Piper, B, Uman, G, Ferrell, B. Reducing patient barriers to pain and fatigue management. J Pain Symptom Manage 2010; 39 (3): 486–501.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29. Lees, L. The role of the ‘on treatment’ review radiographer: what are the requirements? J Radiother Pract 2008; 7: 113–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar