Esther Green

The treatment of depression in cancer patients: a systematic review.

Goals of the work:To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments for depression in cancer populations.Materials and methods:The Supportive Care Guidelines Group conducted a systematic review of the published literature through June 2005. Search sources includes MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library. Comparative studies of treatments for depression in cancer patients were selected for review by two group members based on predefined criteria.Main results:Seven trials of pharmacological agents and four of nonpharmacological interventions were identified. Two trials detected a significant reduction in depressive symptoms for mianserin compared with placebo, and one trial found alprazolam to be superior to progressive muscle relaxation. Four drug trials found no significant difference between groups on depression measures although posttreatment reduction of symptoms was observed for all groups in two trials comparing active treatments (fluoxetine vs desipramine and paroxetine vs amitriptyline). Of the four trials involving nonpharmacological therapies for the management of depression, two detected a benefit for treatment (a multicomponent nurse delivered intervention and an orientation program) over usual care.Conclusion:There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions in the treatment of cancer patients with depressive disorders, and no evidence for the superiority of one treatment modality over another. Based on evidence from the general population and other medically ill populations, combined approaches to the treatment of depression may be the most effective. Further research is necessary in cancer patients to determine the relative effectiveness of psychosocial, pharmacological, and combined treatments.

Cancer Care Ontario's experience with implementation of routine physical and psychological symptom distress screening

Objective: In late 2006, Cancer Care Ontario launched a quality improvement initiative to implement routine screening with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) for cancer patients seen in fourteen Regional Cancer Centres throughout the province.

Models of care for post-treatment follow-up of adult cancer survivors: a systematic review and quality appraisal of the evidence

PurposeThe impact of cancer and cancer treatment on the long-term health and quality of life of survivors is substantial, leading to questions about the most appropriate configuration of services and models of care for follow-up of post-primary treatment survivors.MethodsA systematic review and quality appraisal of the health literature for structure of services and models of follow-up care for post-treatment survivors was identified through a search of guideline sources and empirical databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and EBSCO from 1999 through December 2009.ResultsTen practice guidelines and nine randomized controlled trials comprised the evidence base for models of care for adult cancer survivors. Although the evidence base was rated as low quality, nurse-led and primary care physician models of follow-up care were equivalent for detecting recurrence. Consensus also suggests that cancer survivors may benefit from coordinated transition planning that includes the provision of survivorship care plans as part of standard care.ConclusionsRealignment of models of care is identified as a health system priority to meet the supportive care and surveillance needs of a burgeoning survivor population. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of models of care in a broader population of cancer survivors with differing needs and risks. While the evidence is limited, there is research that may be used to guide the configuration of health care services and planning.

Cancer-related pain management: a report of evidence-based recommendations to guide practice.

ObjectivesCancer may be associated with many symptoms, but pain is the one most feared by patients. Pain is experienced by one-third of patients receiving treatment for cancer and about two-thirds of those with advanced cancers. To aid in providing quality care and pain relief for cancer patients, Cancer Care Ontarios Cancer-related Pain Management Guideline Panel conducted a systematic review of guidelines to provide evidence-based and consensus recommendations for the management of cancer-related pain to guide the practice of healthcare providers. MethodsPublished and unpublished cancer-related pain management guidelines were sought by conducting an Internet search, which included health organizations and the National Guidelines Clearinghouse, the Guideline International Network, and the McMillan Group. Also, MEDLINE searches were conducted for guidelines published between the years 2000 and May 2006. ResultsTwenty-five guidelines were found and the quality of each guideline was evaluated using the Appraisal of Guideline Research and Evaluation Instrument and the utility of the guideline for recommendations was assessed. Using these 2 criteria, 8 relevant and high-quality pain guidelines were identified. From these guidelines, the Panel articulated core principles of the management of cancer pain and selected or adapted specific recommendations through consensus to become a part of the cancer-related pain guide for practice. DiscussionThe domains on which recommendations were drafted include: assessment of pain; assessors of pain; time and frequency of assessment; components of pain assessment; assessment of pain in special populations; plan of care; pharmacologic intervention; nonpharmacologic intervention; documentation; education; and outcome measures of cancer-pain management.

Psychosocial health care needs assessment of adult cancer patients: a consensus-based guideline

PurposeAlthough recommended as an essential part of cancer care, there is limited evidence regarding the optimum approach to psychosocial health care needs assessment in this setting. To address this gap, the Cancer Journey Action Group of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) partnered to develop consensus-based recommendations regarding the routine assessment of psychosocial and supportive care needs. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the evidence that informed the guideline and disseminate the recommendations developed by the expert panel.MethodsClinical practice recommendations were developed by a panel comprised of psychosocial and interdisciplinary experts. Recommendations were informed by a review of oncology clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, and primary research, through to May 2008. Following expert consensus on the recommendations, the clinical practice guideline was externally reviewed by a purposively selected sample of national and international interdisciplinary experts.ResultsA total of nine clinical practice guidelines, three systematic reviews, and 14 primary studies were included in the review. Overall, this body of literature suggested that routine collection of psychosocial health care data has an influence on communication with oncologists and other study specific outcomes, but the evidence was limited by heterogeneity and methodological limitations. Based on the interpretation of this body of evidence by clinical experts, research methodologists, and external reviewers, 12 substantive recommendations were developed regarding the process and parameters of psychosocial needs assessment in adult cancer patients.ConclusionGiven the limitations in the current body of evidence, there remains a need for rigorous empirical research regarding the optimal approach to psychosocial needs assessment, including the specific characteristics that influence effectiveness on patient outcomes. This guideline fills an important gap in psychosocial care, regarding the routine assessment of psychosocial health care needs.

Population-Based Standardized Symptom Screening: Cancer Care Ontario's Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and Performance Status Initiatives

Ontario is Canada’s largest province, with a population of 13.5 million people. Its cancer system is organized into 14 regions comprising a regional cancer program, a regional cancer center (RCC), and numerous community providers as part of their range of services. Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) is the government agency responsible for overseeing funding for the regional cancer programs and to develop and implement quality improvements and standards in the delivery of care. In 2006, CCO launched the Provincial Palliative Care Integration Project with the goal of improving symptom management. 1,2 The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)—a self-reported instrument measuring nine common symptoms of cancer—was selected as the standardized screening tool. 3,4 In 2008, the project was expanded to become the Ontario Cancer Symptom Management Collaborative (OCSMC) with screening extended to include all patients with cancer in recognition of the heavy symptom burden that patients with cancer face. 5 The goal of the OCSMC is to contribute to an excellent patient experience by improving the quality and consistency of physical and emotional symptom management throughout the cancer journey. To improve symptom management, the OCSMC employs common assessment and care management tools including Interactive Symptom Assessment and Collection (ISAAC). ISAAC allows patients to report their symptoms via kiosks or tablets directly to clinicians in real time from hospitals, clinics, or home. Through the implementation of ISAAC, Ontario possesses a unique data source that collects patient-reported symptom information that is available both locally and centrally, in electronic form, and linkable to the cancer registry and other administrative data sets. With more than 2 million symptom screens from 280,000 patients registered in the provincial symptom database, Ontario possesses the richest data set of its kind, which has been valuable for health services research when linked to other databases for analysis.

Organisational standards for the delivery of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in Ontario.

By minimising the effect of irradiation on surrounding tissue, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can deliver higher, more effective doses to the targeted tumour site, minimising treatment-related morbidity and possibly improving cancer control and cure. A multidisciplinary IMRT Expert Panel was convened to develop the organisational standards for the delivery of IMRT. The systematic literature search used MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database, the National Guidelines Clearing House and the Health Technology Assessment Database. An environmental scan of unpublished literature used the Google search engine to review the websites of key organisations, cancer agencies/centres and vendor sites in Canada, the USA, Australia and Europe. In total, 22 relevant guidance documents were identified; 12 from the published literature and 10 from the environmental scan. Professional and organisational standards for the provision of IMRT were developed through the analysis of this evidence and the consensus opinion of the IMRT Expert Panel. The resulting standards address the following domains: planning of new IMRT programmes, practice setting requirements, tools, devices and equipment requirements; professional training requirements; role of personnel; and requirements for quality assurance and safety. Here the IMRT Expert Panel offers organisational and professional standards for the delivery of IMRT, with the intent of promoting innovation, improving access and enhancing patient care.

Exercise for people with cancer: a clinical practice guideline

BACKGROUND Development of this guideline was undertaken by the Exercise for People with Cancer Guideline Development Group, a group organized by Cancer Care Ontarios Program in Evidence-Based Care (pebc). The purpose of the guideline was to provide guidance for clinicians with respect to exercise for patients living with cancer, focusing on the benefits of specific types of exercise, recommendations about screening requirements for new referrals, and safety concerns. METHODS Consistent with the pebcs standardized approach, a systematic search was conducted for existing guidelines, and systematic literature searches were performed in medline and embase for both systematic reviews and primary literature. Content and methodology experts performed an internal review, which was followed by an external review by targeted experts and intended users. RESULTS The search identified three guidelines, eighteen systematic reviews, and twenty-nine randomized controlled trials with relevance to the topic. The present guideline provides recommendations for the duration, frequency, and intensity of exercise appropriate for people living with cancer. It also provides recommendations for pre-exercise assessment, safety concerns, and delivery models. CONCLUSIONS There is sufficient evidence to show that exercise provides benefits in quality of life and muscular and aerobic fitness for people with cancer both during and after treatment, and that it does not cause harm. The present guideline is intended to support the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologys Canadian physical activity guidelines. The recommendations are intended for clinicians and institutions treating cancer patients in Ontario, and for policymakers and program planners involved in the delivery of exercise programs for cancer patients.

Safe Handling of Parenteral Cytotoxics: Recommendations for Ontario

In caring for patients with cancer, health care workers may be exposed to cytotoxic agents. Recommendations are needed to mitigate potential risks for cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes associated with exposure.

Managing symptoms during cancer treatments: evaluating the implementation of evidence-informed remote support protocols

BackgroundManagement of cancer treatment-related symptoms is an important safety issue given that symptoms can become life-threatening and often occur when patients are at home. With funding from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, a pan-Canadian steering committee was established with representation from eight provinces to develop symptom protocols using a rigorous methodology (CAN-IMPLEMENT©). Each protocol is based on a systematic review of the literature to identify relevant clinical practice guidelines. Protocols were validated by cancer nurses from across Canada. The aim of this study is to build an effective and sustainable approach for implementing evidence-informed protocols for nurses to use when providing remote symptom assessment, triage, and guidance in self-management for patients experiencing symptoms while undergoing cancer treatments.MethodsA prospective mixed-methods study design will be used. Guided by the Knowledge to Action Framework, the study will involve (a) establishing an advisory knowledge user team in each of three targeted settings; (b) assessing factors influencing nurses’ use of protocols using interviews/focus groups and a standardized survey instrument; (c) adapting protocols for local use, ensuring fidelity of the content; (d) selecting intervention strategies to overcome known barriers and implementing the protocols; (e) conducting think-aloud usability testing; (f) evaluating protocol use and outcomes by conducting an audit of 100 randomly selected charts at each of the three settings; and (g) assessing satisfaction with remote support using symptom protocols and change in nurses’ barriers to use using survey instruments. The primary outcome is sustained use of the protocols, defined as use in 75% of the calls. Descriptive analysis will be conducted for the barriers, use of protocols, and chart audit outcomes. Content analysis will be conducted on interviews/focus groups and usability testing with comparisons across settings.DiscussionGiven the importance of patient safety, patient-centered care, and delivery of quality services, learning how to effectively implement evidence-informed symptom protocols in oncology healthcare services is essential for ensuring safe, consistent, and effective care for individuals with cancer. This study is likely to have a significant contribution to the delivery of remote oncology services, as well as influence symptom management by patients at home.