None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Older people who are diagnosed with haematological cancers such as lymphoma or myeloma often have other health problems as well as their cancer. These health problems can impact on their ability to cope with chemotherapy side effects and may affect their recovery. The International Society for Geriatric Oncology recommends the use of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) around the time of a cancer diagnosis. This assessment includes several tests examining a persons mood, memory, ability to undertake everyday activities, risk of falls as well as a review of their physical health and current medicines. By conducting a CGA, actual or potential health problems may be detected and if managed early, side effects from chemotherapy can be reduced and make it easier for older people to recover. However there is little information about how older people view these assessments and if they find them useful. We are proposing a small qualitative study to explore the older person's perspective regarding this type of geriatric assessment and how they experience it. This study may potentially improve how older people are assessed at time of diagnosis or during cancer treatment. It may also lead on to an improved understanding of how older people with a cancer may perceive geriatric assessment testing. Older people, for the purposes of this study, will be defined as those adults seventy years or older. This research involves participants completing a comprehensive geriatric assessment with the researcher at one time point then meeting with the researcher a second time. At this second meeting the participant will be interviewed about their impressions and insights about the assessment process. Interview results will be analysed using an interpretative approach where participants responses and insights will be examined for common meanings, patterns and themes.
Interventions
The sole researcher, an Advanced Practice Haematology Nurse Specialist, will complete a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) with each study participant. As per the International Society of Geriatric Oncology guidelines a CGA covers the following:
A physical assessment including presence of health concerns,reviewing falls risk, current medicines,assessing nutritional needs and presence of pain.
Completing questionnaires assessing a participant's mental wellbeing, social and community acti
The sole researcher, an Advanced Practice Haematology Nurse Specialist, will complete a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) with each study participant. As per the International Society of Geriatric Oncology guidelines a CGA covers the following: A physical assessment including presence of health concerns,reviewing falls risk, current medicines,assessing nutritional needs and presence of pain. Completing questionnaires assessing a participant's mental wellbeing, social and community activities and their perceived quality of life. Determining a participant's ability to perform everyday activities such as washing and preparing meals will be assessed. At the conclusion of the above assessments the participant will be provided with a summary of the results. If any additional medical issues are identified as part of the CGA, the researcher will discuss with the participant regarding consulting with their treating Haematologist, General Practitioner or other appropriate health professional. A management plan and follow up will ensure and be included in the their medical record. This assessment will occur only once and may take up to two hours to complete depending upon the complexity of the participants health. It will take place within an outpatient clinic setting at a hospital closest to the participant's home. Within two weeks the participants and the researcher will meet again. This meeting will involve a semi structured interview where participants will be asked about their impressions and thoughts regarding the assessment process. This interview will be audio recorded (with prior permission provided from the participants). Participants will receive a telephone call to remind them of the interview date and time. The interview can take place either within the same outpatient clinic setting or if easier for the participants, the researcher will come to their home for this encounter. The interview is likely to take up to one hour but this will depend upon the discussion and participants insights. The study participants will have completed the study once the interview is finished.
Sponsors
Rosemary Hoyt
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
70 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
• Age greater than 70 years • Diagnosis of either Lymphoma or Myeloma • Lymphoma patients will have completed chemotherapy within the last three years and either be in remission or have stable disease for at least three months • Myeloma patients will have completed initial chemotherapy and/or be on a maintenance therapy program but have stable disease for at least three months • Signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria
• Newly diagnosed lymphoma or myeloma • Have progressive lymphoma or myeloma requiring either further active therapy or be entering palliative phase of care management • Unable to give informed consent • Not able to comply with study procedures and/or follow up
Outcome results
None listed