None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to determine whether a tailored educational package can reduce psychological distress in women with breast cancer who are referred for radiotherapy. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are a woman aged 18 years or more who has been diagnosed with breast cancer for which you are about to commence a course of radiation therapy that will be more than 4 weeks. Trial details Participants in this trial will be allocated to one of two groups. One group will receive the standard information provided in radiation oncology. The other group will undergo an innovative radiotherapy program, consisting of two one-on-one 20 minute educational sessions with their radiotherapist. During the consultations the radiation therapist will discuss the procedure that is about to occur, what will be expected of the patient, any immediate discomfort or pain they should anticipate, and any short or long term side effects that may result from the procedure. Participants will be assessed on four occasions before and after treatment to determine their psychological distress levels, specific concerns about radiotherapy, knowledge of radiotherapy, and preparedness for treatment.
Interventions
The tailored educational intervention package consists of: 1) a one-on-one consultation with a radiation therapist prior to treatment planning and 2) a one-on-one consultation with radiation therapist prior to first treatment. Prior to the introduction of this intervention, communication and consultation skills training will be provided to radiation therapists and they will be educated about what information to provide to patients at each time point. During the one to one consultations the radia
The tailored educational intervention package consists of: 1) a one-on-one consultation with a radiation therapist prior to treatment planning and 2) a one-on-one consultation with radiation therapist prior to first treatment. Prior to the introduction of this intervention, communication and consultation skills training will be provided to radiation therapists and they will be educated about what information to provide to patients at each time point. During the one to one consultations the radiation therapist will meet the patient for 20 minutes to discuss the procedure that is about to occur, what will be expected of the patient, any immediate discomfort or pain they should anticipate and any short or long term side efects that may result form the procedure.
Sponsors
Cancer Australia
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be eligible for the study if they have been diagnosed with breast cancer, are about to commence a course of radiation therapy that will be more than 4 weeks, are over the age of 18, do not have cognitive impairement or psychiatric illness and are able to converse freely in English.
Exclusion criteria
Patients who have commenced treatment or completed treatment planning and who have cognitive impairments or psychiatric illness.
Outcome results
None listed