Recordings of consultations are beneficial in the transition from curative to palliative cancer care: A pilot-study in patients with oesophageal or head and neck cancer

Madeleen Uitdehaag, LA van der Velden, Maarten Boer, Manon Spaander, Ewout Steyerberg, Ernst Kuipers, PD (Peter) Siersema, Johan Pruijn

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Abstract

Purpose: There is reluctance in providing incurable cancer patients with recordings of their consultation. In this pilot-study, we explored the feasibility and utility of providing consultation recordings when patients are told a new diagnosis of non-curable cancer, and the impact of the recordings on quality of life and the openness to discuss cancer-related issues in the family. Method: Seventeen patients with a new diagnosis of incurable oesophageal or head and neck cancer were randomized to receive a CD (n = 10) or no CD (n = 7) of their consultation in which the diagnosis was told and the decision to provide only palliative care was discussed. Data were collected before consultation and 1 week and 1 month afterwards. After 1 month, patients allocated to the control group were offered to receiving the CD of their consultation as well. Results: No major technical or procedural problems were encountered. Three-quarters of the patients appreciated receiving the CD, which was listened to by 8/10 patients and by 10/10 others in the CD group. After 1 month, two-thirds of the patients in the control group also asked to receive the CD. We found a trend towards a poorer quality of life but an improved openness to discuss cancer-related issues, in the CD group. Conclusion: The provision of a CD recording on the consultation in which the transition from a curative to a palliative care stage was communicated is feasible and was well-received by most cancer patients and their family. These findings require however verification in a study with a larger sample size. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)109-114
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Oncology Nursing
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Research programs

  • EMC MM-04-20-01
  • EMC NIHES-02-65-01
  • EMC OR-01-62-02

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