Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Co-designing Educational Resources for Left Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Radiation Therapy (#286)

Kath Dower 1 2 , Georgia Halkett 3 , Haryana Dhillon 4 , Diana Naehrig 4 , Moira O'Connor 3
  1. Radiation Therapy, North Coast Cancer Institute , Lismore, NSW, Australia
  2. Radiation Therapy, Mid North Coast Cancer Institute, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  4. School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Background: The gold standard radiation treatment for left breast cancer patients is Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) where patients hold a deep breath to reduce late cardiac and pulmonary effects from treatment (1-4). DIBH can be challenging and induce or exacerbate anxiety in patients due to the perceived pressure to reduce radiation treatment side-effects (5).  

Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients treated with DIBH-RT to improve patient centred care and contribute to the co-design of multimedia educational tools for patients undergoing DIBH. 

Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was underpinned by a socialist constructivist approach (6) to create new educational and patient care approaches based on the previous patients’ experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who had completed DIBH for breast cancer. Data was analysed with reflexive thematical analysis.

Results: Twenty-two participants were interviewed with the sample size chosen by data saturation. We identified five main themes:

Informational needs pertaining to types of information; quality of information; processing information; and scope of information. 

Care needs with subthemes including how participants wanted to be cared for.

Autonomy with subthemes pertaining to control over breath hold.

DIBH performance influencers with subthemes pertaining to pre-existing conditions, capability to undertake DIBH and self-efficacy.

Other-centredness with subthemes pertaining to a self-perceived obligation towards other patients.

Conclusion: These insights highlighted the need to improve patient self-efficacy with DIBH, familiarity with their planned treatment, and focussed care to enhance the patient experience through new multimedia education. We recommend the co-design of education with patients to improve patient centred care and for dissemination of this education via multimodal approaches to best meet patient needs.

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