ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5634

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2024

The research purpose is: to investigate the impact of pre-treatment consultation on the distress and anxiety levels in patients preparing for breast cancer radiation therapy

Material/Methods:

The study included one or more interventions as listed below, and an assessment of the patients' anxiety levels using questionnaires before the simulation, during radiation therapy, and after its completion.

Patients preparing for breast cancer radiation therapy in Rambam Health Care Campus have been provided various options to obtain information and to prepare for the treatment:

1) A consultation meeting with the coordinator nurse for breast cancer treatment

2) A leaflet with information (for patients before left-breast treatment)

3) An instructive video clip, about 4 minutes long, that is sent to patients before the simulation meeting. The clip provides a visual illustration of the simulation process and the radiation therapy. In the clip, a team of radiation therapists present and explain the treatment. The clip was filmed in the simulation room and on the linear accelerator to illustrate the radiation process in the best way 4) A frontal consultation meeting by the radiation technicians staff, a physician, and a nurse, providing information about the simulation process and the radiation therapy. The consultation meeting included explanations about a healthy lifestyle during and after the radiation therapy as well.

Results:

50 questionnaires were randomly handed out to patients who received breast radiotherapy as from October 2022. Questionnaire analysis showed that 26% of patients were provided consultation by a nurse; 14% participated in a frontal consultation meeting with the radiation therapy staff, a nurse, and a physician; 9% reported that they watched the consultation clip on phone; only 1% of patients received information from the leaflet. The patients reported that the consultation mitigated their distress and anxiety levels before the simulation, in 34% of patients in very good and in 88% above satisfactory score; and 46% reported that they were already aware of what they needed to do upon reaching the simulation and during the treatment in very good score and 90% marked in above satisfactory scale score range. Most of the patients (88%) reported that they were satisfied and felt that they received personal attention and care.

Conclusion:

Consultation and advice provided by the medical staff had a positive impact on the stress and anxiety levels of breast cancer patients before radiation therapy. The project continues and develops, and it is the intention to prepare the patients even better before their radiation therapy.

Keywords: Breast, radiotherapy, anxiety

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Poster Discussion