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Effective communication and information provision in radiotherapy—the role of radiation therapists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2010

Georgia K.B. Halkett ,
Susan Merchant ,
Moyez Jiwa ,
Michala Short ,
Hayley Arnet ,
Sharon Richardson ,
Rachel Kearvell ,
Sharron Carson ,
Nigel Spry  and
Mandy Taylor
...Show all authors
Georgia K.B. Halkett*
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Susan Merchant
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Moyez Jiwa
Affiliation:
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Michala Short
Affiliation:
Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hayley Arnet
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, WA Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sharon Richardson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Rachel Kearvell
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sharron Carson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Nigel Spry
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Mandy Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Linda Kristjanson
Affiliation:
WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
*
Correspondence to: Georgia Halkett, WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin University of Technology, Health Research Campus, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia. Email: g.halkett@curtin.edu.au
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Abstract

Introduction: Health professionals have a duty of care to radiotherapy patients in providing them with adequate information before treatment. There is a lack of research that describes the roles of radiation therapists and radiation oncology nurses in providing information to patients. This study aimed to: (1) explore how radiation therapists communicate with breast cancer patients during a radiotherapy planning appointment; (2) determine what information is provided during this appointment and (3) explore radiation therapists’ perspectives on their role in providing patient information and support.

Methods: The following methodologies were used: self-report questionnaires; simulated radiotherapy planning sessions and joint interpretive forums. Statistical analysis was used to analyse the questionnaires and the simulated planning sessions and forums were analysed qualitatively.

Results: A total of 110 radiation therapists participated in the survey. We simulated two radiotherapy planning appointments and held two forums. Four themes emerged: role definitions, reducing patient anxiety and distress, barriers and strategies for effective communication and confidence in patient communication.

Conclusion: Radiation therapists play an important role in communicating with patients and providing information, particularly if patients exhibit anxiety and distress. Further research is required to determine whether patients’ information needs can be met with additional information provided by radiation therapists.

Keywords

breast cancerinformationpatient educationradiation therapyrole definition
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , March 2010 , pp. 3 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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