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People with significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) experience inequities in cancer care. This study aims to deepen understanding of cancer care for individuals with SMHD. We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven individuals with SMHD regarding their experiences accessing and engaging with cancer care from August 2021 to February 2022. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis where both inductive and deductive coding was adopted through the lens of the socio-ecological model (SEM) as a theoretical framework. The main themes included intrapersonal, interpersonal and organizational barriers and facilitators to care with a specific focus on modifiable factors related to cancer care delivery. This study provides further evidence for promoting collaborative mental health and cancer care delivery to prevent inequalities in cancer care for patients with SMHD. Adopting an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to cancer care and help with patient navigation across services are potential factors in improving cancer care for individuals with SMHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience high levels of psychological distress, which is associated with higher mortality and adverse health outcomes. Little is known about the rates of a range of mental health difficulties or rates of suicide attempts in people with CKD. Methods Individuals with CKD (n  = 268; age range 18–94 years, mean = 49.96 years) on haemodialysis (n  = 79), peritoneal dialysis (n  = 46), transplant recipients (n  = 84) and who were not on renal replacement therapy (RRT; n  = 59) were recruited through the Irish Kidney Association social media pages and three Irish hospitals. Participants completed surveys to gather demographics and mental health histories, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results A total of 23.5% of participants self-reported they had received a mental health diagnosis, with depression (14.5%) and anxiety (14.2%) being the most common, while 26.4% of participants had experienced suicidal ideation and 9.3% had attempted suicide. Using a clinical cut-off ≥8 on the HADS subscales, current levels of clinically significant anxiety and depression were 50.7% and 35.4%, respectively. Depression levels were slightly higher for those on haemodialysis compared with those with a transplant and those not on RRT. Depression, anxiety and having a mental health diagnosis were all associated with lower HRQoL. Conclusions People with CKD in Ireland experience high levels of psychological distress, mental health difficulties, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. The identification of and intervention for mental health difficulties in CKD should be prioritised in clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the lack of research on the information needs of spinal cord injured (SCI) patients and family members in acute care, in order to inform the provision of appropriate information supports. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven traumatic SCI patients and six family members. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret the data. Five themes were generated: (1) "You were lying in limbo and you knew nothing" describes how being situated in non-specialist acute care limited participants' access to information; (2) "You'll never walk again" is not enough describes the need for information about the effects of SCI and the management of secondary conditions; (3) "The delivery was awful" demonstrates the importance of information being explained clearly and empathically; (4) "It was going in one ear and out the other" highlights the need for ongoing conversations with healthcare professionals, as retaining information provided in the early stages post-injury is often difficult; and (5) "Hope" not "false hope" discusses the importance of giving patients and family members hope while simultaneously being realistic about potential recovery. SCI patients and family members had significant unmet information needs in acute care. SCI patients and family members had significant unmet information needs while in acute care. Being in non-specialist acute care significantly limited most participants' access to information. During the acute phase of care, most patients and family members would like to know the patient's recovery prognosis, the impact of SCI on the patient's functional independence, how to manage secondary complications, and what to expect in rehabilitation. As patients and family members often had difficulty absorbing information in the early stages post-injury, information should be continuously repeated, reinforced and clarified. HCPs should promote realistic hope for SCI patients and family members even in the absence of neurological recovery, by focusing on what the patient is still capable of while being honest about their prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite similar rates in cancer morbidity, patients with comorbid significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) experience higher mortality rates. This population has largely been neglected in cancer care research. Little is known about how to improve cancer outcomes for patients with SMHD. The aim of this research is to explore the views of healthcare professionals concerning the provision of cancer care to individuals with SMHD in an Irish context. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals (n = 28) providing care to people with SMHD and cancer. This included oncology and psychiatry consultants (n = 10); clinical nurse specialists (n = 8); clinical psychologists (n = 6); and medical social workers (n = 4). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four overarching themes were generated from the data highlighting the challenges associated with healthcare provision for this cohort. The themes were: Fragmentation of Care, Healthcare Providers' Understanding of SMHD, Complex Nature of Presentation, and Specialised Care Needs. Conclusions: The findings contribute to advancing our understanding of cancer care provision for patients with SMHD. They identify important barriers and facilitators to cancer care provision for this population from the perspective of healthcare professionals in Ireland. These findings will help to shape future research and contribute to improving the quality‐of‐care for people with SMHD and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Points: The aim of the study was to explore partners' experiences of cervical cancer and perspectives on the CervicalCheck controversy.Seven male partners of women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer following a false‐negative screening result were interviewed between May and July 2020.Thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Three superordinate themes were identified; the adverse impact of a cervical cancer diagnosis on partners; the unsatisfactory treatment of partners throughout the trajectory of cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, and partners' attitudes surrounding the CervicalCheck controversy.The findings highlight the unique challenges experienced by the partners of women diagnosed with cervical cancer and the impact of the CervicalCheck screening failure on partners.The findings also highlight the need for appropriate structures to be established within Ireland's health service to better support the informational and psychological needs of partners of women with cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that has a profound psychological impact. Despite the pertinence of mental health difficulties to psoriasis, the literature is devoid of empirical support for the long-term beneficial effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). This study aimed to determine the comparative efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), mindfulness-based self-compassion therapy (MBSCT), and self-help MBSCT (MBSCT-SH) relative to treatment-as-usual (TAU) in improving the long-term psychological and physical outcomes of individuals with psoriasis. Ninety-four adults with mild to moderate psoriasis were randomly assigned to TAU (n = 22) or TAU combined with MBCT (n = 25), MBSCT (n = 25), or MBSCT-SH (n = 22). Participants completed assessments of psychological well-being, psoriasis symptom burden, and quality of life at pre- and post-treatment as well as 6- and 12-month follow-up. Although participants reported that the MBIs were beneficial, no statistically significant differences were found on psychological well-being, psoriasis symptom burden, or quality of life relative to TAU alone at post-treatment, 6- or 12-month follow-up. The development of our understanding of differences in the effects of MBIs for disparate disease groups is instrumental to realizing the therapeutic potential of MBIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]