This descriptive qualitative study examined the patient, provider, and institutional factors contributing to nonattendance for hepatitis C (HCV) care throughout the disease course. Eighty-four patients and health and social care providers were interviewed. Thematic analysis of the data yielded 6 interrelated nonattendance themes: self-protection, determining the benefits, competing priorities, knowledge gaps, access to services, and restrictive policies. Factors within the themes varied with the disease course, type of provider/service, and patient context. Nonattendance could span months to years and most frequently began at diagnosis where providers either advised that followup was not necessary or did not recommend any followup. The way services were organized (low barrier access) and delivered (nonjudgmental approach) and higher HCV knowledge levels of patients and providers encouraged attendance. This is the first study to explore the reasons for nonattendance for HCV care throughout the disease course and validate them from multiple perspectives. There are missed opportunities for providers to encourage attendance throughout the disease course beginning at diagnosis. Interventions required include development of integrated health and social service delivery models; mechanisms to improve knowledge dissemination of the disease, its management, and treatment; and implementation of standardized followup protocols for liver disease monitoring in primary care.
12510 Background: Safety and efficacy of malignant glioma treatment with carmustine-containing biodegradable implants (Gliadel® Wafers) followed by conventional radiotherapy (RT) and treatment with RT and concomitant temozolomide have both been well established. Multimodal therapy combining Gliadel® Wafers, RT, and temozolomide has recently demonstrated significant improvements in clinical outcomes of newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. However, Gliadel® Wafer implantation in newly-diagnosed GBM patients is limited by the suspected risk of toxicities associated with multimodal therapy. Thus, the safety of multimodal therapy with Gliadel® Wafers, RT, and temozolomide needs to be determined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of 21 Florida Hospital Neuro- Oncology Center patients who were newly diagnosed with GBM from January 2003 to December 2005 and initially received multimodal therapy. All systemic and local toxicities were graded according to CTC AE v.3.0. Results were compared to historical data. Results: Our study population did not differ significantly from prior study populations with regard to patient demographics. 4 of 21 (19%) patients had grade 3 toxicities, which may have been related to multimodal therapy. None of the 21 patients had grade 4 toxicities. Median time to progression from initial surgery was 12.8 months (range 2–24 months). Median overall survival was 17 months (95% CI of 15–25 months). Conclusion: The addition of Gliadel® Wafers to concurrent RT and temozolomide did not result in a notable increase in grade 3 and 4 toxicities but did produce clinical outcomes comparable with those found in prior studies. The small sample size does not allow for definitive conclusions regarding efficacy. However, the addition of Gliadel® Wafers to concurrent RT and temozolomide appears to be safe in newly-diagnosed GBM patients. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Background In Canada, incidents of new hepatitis C virus infections are rising among women aged 15-29 years and now comprise 60% of new infections among this age group. A negative diagnosis experience continues to be a problem affecting women living with hepatitis C virus. With new effective treatments, nurses will have more involvement in hepatitis C virus care and diagnosis, which is a critical time to facilitate appropriate education and management. Purpose This study explored Canadian women's experience of hepatitis C virus diagnosis in order to develop recommendations to improve care at the point of diagnosis. Methods Purposive sampling was used to recruit and interview 25 women. Using narrative inquiry, we examined Canadian women's experience of hepatitis C virus diagnosis. Results Women's diagnosis experiences were shaped by the context of diagnosis, factors prompting the testing, the testing provider, and information/education received. The context of diagnosis foreshadowed how prepared women were for their results, and the absence of accurate information magnified the psychological distress that can follow an hepatitis C virus diagnosis. Conclusion Our findings provide a compelling case for a proactive nursing response, which will improve women's experiences of hepatitis C virus diagnosis and, in turn, enhance women's access to hepatitis C virus care and other healthcare services.
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