ObjectiveThis study developed and piloted an educational intervention to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) to provide supportive care for families when a parent has cancer.MethodsProgramme development followed the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework, beginning with examination of theory and research, and consultation with experts. The programme content incorporated attachment theory, child development and family systems theory. It was piloted thrice with HCPs from a cancer centre. The evaluation involved a questionnaire, comprising open-ended questions, completed before and after the programme. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using framework analysis.Results31 HCPs from varying disciplines participated. The programme was evaluated positively by participants. Before the programme, participants had significant concerns about their professional competence, which included: managing their own emotions; a perceived sensitivity around raising child and family matters with patients and a lack of specialist experience, skills and knowledge. After completing the programme, participants reported greater understanding and knowledge, increased confidence to approach patients about family matters, greater skill to initiate conversations and explore family concerns and guiding parent–child communication according to the child's level of understanding, and an increased engagement and resilience for caring for parents with cancer.Significance of the resultsSupporting HCPs to provide family-centred care is likely to reduce psychological difficulties in families where a parent has cancer. Further work is planned to disseminate the programme, evaluate the transfer of skills into practice, assess how HCPs manage the emotional demands of providing supportive care over time, and consider on-going professional support for HCPs.
Many patients with chronic pain use some form of heat application in the home environment and frequently wish to continue using these heat therapies if admitted to hospital. This article provides an overview of the use of heat therapy with patients in the hospital setting and identifies some of the safety issues involved.
Many patients with chronic pain use some form of heat application in the home environment and frequently wish to continue using these heat therapies if admitted to hospital. This article provides an overview of the use of heat therapy with patients in the hospital setting and identifies some of the safety issues involved.
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