McMaster University, A.N. Bourns Science Building, Room C501, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.
McMaster University, A.N. Bourns Science Building, Room C501, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2024 Sep;55(3):101443. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2024.101443. Epub 2024 Jun 14.
The purpose of this study was to determine patient perceptions of an advanced practice radiation therapist (APRT) prescribing medication for radiation therapy treatment-related side effects. By comprehending patient perceptions, it is important to implement change in order to improve patients' quality of life.
A literature review was conducted on advanced practice (AP) roles in Canada and world-wide; the roles searched were: APRT, nurse practitioner and pharmacist. The search focused on evidence demonstrating improvements made to patient care due to the implementation of these roles. Based on this review and input from a team of experts a qualitative semi-structured interview survey was designed, and pilot tested. The survey consisted of five open-ended questions, which were designed to determine patient satisfaction of an APRT prescribing medication over the course of their radiation therapy treatments. Patients undergoing head and neck radiation therapy treatments at a large, academic cancer centre were invited to participate. Six patients who had a head and neck APRT involved in their treatment were interviewed. A comprehensive thematic analysis was then conducted using the transcripts created from these interviews, which was followed by two independent blinded analyses to ensure validity of the results.
The thematic analysis produced four salient themes which were: side effect management, care provided by the APRT in comparison to other healthcare workers, patients' access to care, and overall patient satisfaction. Common medications for head and neck radiation therapy treatment related side effects were discussed and these were: Magic Mouthwash, Xylocaine, Nystatin, Benadryl, Advil, Tylenol, Dexamethasone, Tantum, Biotene, Mucaine, Flamazine, Hydrocortisone, Ondansetron, Senokot, and narcotics.
This study was valuable to understand patient experiences and provide evidence to change processes in order to improve quality of patient centered care. The study revealed that although patients were happy with the process of prescribing medication, they all agreed that having an advanced practice radiation therapist prescribe would improve care. Patient responses further demonstrated the need for future research in regards to side effect management as a whole by APRTs as well as how role clarification can impact patient perceptions of APRTs.
本研究旨在确定患者对高级实践放射治疗师（APRT）开出治疗放疗相关副作用药物的看法。通过了解患者的看法，实施变革以提高患者的生活质量非常重要。
对加拿大和全球范围内的高级实践（AP）角色进行了文献回顾；搜索的角色包括：APRT、护士从业者和药剂师。该搜索重点是证明由于实施这些角色而改善患者护理的证据。基于这项综述以及来自一组专家的意见，设计了一个定性半结构式访谈调查，并进行了试点测试。该调查由五个开放式问题组成，旨在确定患者对在放疗过程中由 APRT 开具药物的满意度。邀请在大型学术癌症中心接受头颈部放疗治疗的患者参加。对参与他们治疗的六名头颈部 APRT 患者进行了访谈。然后使用从这些访谈中创建的转录本进行全面主题分析，随后进行了两次独立的盲法分析，以确保结果的有效性。
主题分析产生了四个突出的主题：副作用管理、APRT 与其他医护人员提供的护理、患者获得护理的途径以及总体患者满意度。讨论了用于头颈部放疗治疗相关副作用的常见药物：Magic Mouthwash、Xylocaine、Nystatin、Benadryl、Advil、Tylenol、Dexamethasone、Tantum、Biotene、Mucaine、Flamazine、Hydrocortisone、Ondansetron、Senokot 和麻醉剂。
这项研究对于了解患者的经验并提供证据以改变流程以改善以患者为中心的护理质量非常有价值。该研究表明，尽管患者对药物处方过程感到满意，但他们都同意由高级实践放射治疗师开具药物会改善护理。患者的回应进一步表明，需要对 APRT 整体进行副作用管理以及角色澄清如何影响患者对 APRT 的看法的进一步研究。
