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2 results

  • A focus group consultation round exploring patient experiences of comfort during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

  • Simon D. Goldsworthy, Kelly Tuke, Jos M. Latour
  • Journal:
    Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice / Volume 15 / Issue 2 / June 2016
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    04 April 2016, pp. 143-149
  • Purpose

    The aim of this study was to consult patients about their experiences of comfort while wearing a thermoplastic mask during head and neck radiotherapy before designing a study to develop a comfort scale for radiotherapy.

    Methods

    A qualitative method using a focus group of patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer was deployed. Five patients were invited and agreed to participate. Semi-structured questions guided the focus group interview. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes.

    Findings

    Three patients participated in the focus group. Three main themes were identified: Physical comfort, Mental perception, Passivity. Physical comfort derived from feelings of pressure, unpleasantness, and generally being uncomfortable. Mental perception derived from how the physical comfort was perceived and derived from feelings of shock, anxiety, indifference and sensory systems. Passivity arose from feelings such as the ‘doctor knows best’, ‘putting up with it’, and ‘being taken for a ride’.

    Conclusion

    The insight of patient’s comfort and experiences are valuable for clinicians to provide patient-centred care. Findings of this study implicate further investigation of how the themes of patient comfort can be measured in radiotherapy to improve the patient experience.

  • Randomized study comparing the impact of a simulator with CT option to diagnostic CT on workload and patients comfort

  • P. Bijdekerke, V. Vinh-Hung, F. Nys, E. Vandepoele, J. Van de Steene, S. D'Haese, D. Verellen, G. Storme
  • Journal:
    Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice / Volume 2 / Issue 1 / March 2000
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    21 August 2006, pp. 37-44

  • Purpose: A randomized study to investigate the routine use of a simulator-based CT (Sim-CT) for planning purposes.

    Materials and methods: 24 patients accepted for pelvic radiotherapy were randomized to receive either a Sim-CT or a DCT planning CT scan. The execution time was measured for different steps in both procedures. A questionnaire was developed to gain information about the psychological status and physical comfort.

    Results: The set-up (of hardware, software and patient) took significantly longer for the Sim-CT procedure (p<0.05). An average of 5.7 min was found in comparison with 3.2 min for the DCT group. A similar result (p<0.0005) was observed for the scan time (resp. 15.9 versus 5.1 min). However the total time of the procedure (including patient preparation) was significantly lower (p<0.005) for the Sim-CT group (resp. 21.6 versus 31.7 min). Physical comfort score showed that some patients experienced more discomfort during the Sim-CT procedure than during DCT.

    Conclusions: The scan acquisition time and set-up time of Sim-CT procedure was significantly higher than DCT however the total time was less for Sim-CT group. The overall reduction in time with Sim-CT is counterbalanced by increased patient discomfort.