TY - JOUR
T1 - RT Prepare
T2 - A radiation therapist-delivered intervention reduces psychological distress in women with breast cancer referred for radiotherapy
AU - Halkett, Georgia
AU - O'Connor, Moira
AU - Jefford, Michael
AU - Aranda, Sanchia
AU - Merchant, Susan
AU - Spry, Nigel
AU - Kane, Robert
AU - Shaw, Thérèse
AU - Youens, David
AU - Moorin, Rachael
AU - Schofield, Penelope
PY - 2018/6/1
Y1 - 2018/6/1
N2 - Background: The aims of this study were to determine whether a radiation therapist-led patient education intervention (RT Prepare) reduced breasts cancer patients' psychological distress (primary endpoint); anxiety, depression and concerns about radiotherapy, and increased knowledge of radiotherapy and preparedness (secondary endpoints). Patient health system usage and costs were also assessed. Methods: A multiple-baseline study across three sites. The RT Prepare intervention comprised two consultations with a radiation therapist: prior to treatment planning and on the first day of treatment. Radiation therapists focused on providing sensory and procedural information and addressing patients' pre-treatment anxiety. Usual care data were collected prior to intervention commencement. Data collection occurred: after meeting their radiation oncologist, prior to treatment planning, first day of treatment and after treatment completion. Multilevel mixed effects regression models were used. Results: In total, 218 usual care and 190 intervention patients participated. Compared with usual care, intervention participants reported lower psychological distress at treatment commencement (p = 0.01); lower concerns about radiotherapy (p < 0.01); higher patient knowledge (p < 0.001); higher preparedness for procedural concerns (p < 0.001) and higher preparedness for sensory-psychological concerns at treatment planning (p < 0.001). Mean within-trial costs per patient were estimated at $AU159 (US$120); mean ongoing costs at $AU35 (US$26). Conclusion: The RT Prepare intervention was effective in reducing breast cancer patients' psychological distress and preparing patients for treatment. This intervention provides an opportunity for radiation therapists to extend their role into providing patients with information and support prior to treatment to reduce psychological distress.
AB - Background: The aims of this study were to determine whether a radiation therapist-led patient education intervention (RT Prepare) reduced breasts cancer patients' psychological distress (primary endpoint); anxiety, depression and concerns about radiotherapy, and increased knowledge of radiotherapy and preparedness (secondary endpoints). Patient health system usage and costs were also assessed. Methods: A multiple-baseline study across three sites. The RT Prepare intervention comprised two consultations with a radiation therapist: prior to treatment planning and on the first day of treatment. Radiation therapists focused on providing sensory and procedural information and addressing patients' pre-treatment anxiety. Usual care data were collected prior to intervention commencement. Data collection occurred: after meeting their radiation oncologist, prior to treatment planning, first day of treatment and after treatment completion. Multilevel mixed effects regression models were used. Results: In total, 218 usual care and 190 intervention patients participated. Compared with usual care, intervention participants reported lower psychological distress at treatment commencement (p = 0.01); lower concerns about radiotherapy (p < 0.01); higher patient knowledge (p < 0.001); higher preparedness for procedural concerns (p < 0.001) and higher preparedness for sensory-psychological concerns at treatment planning (p < 0.001). Mean within-trial costs per patient were estimated at $AU159 (US$120); mean ongoing costs at $AU35 (US$26). Conclusion: The RT Prepare intervention was effective in reducing breast cancer patients' psychological distress and preparing patients for treatment. This intervention provides an opportunity for radiation therapists to extend their role into providing patients with information and support prior to treatment to reduce psychological distress.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047898293&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41416-018-0112-z
DO - 10.1038/s41416-018-0112-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 29855611
AN - SCOPUS:85047898293
VL - 118
SP - 1549
EP - 1558
JO - British Journal of Cancer
JF - British Journal of Cancer
SN - 0007-0920
IS - 12
ER -