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BACKGROUND: Pancreatic and oesophagogastric (OG) cancers have a dismal prognosis and high symptom burden, with supportive care forming an integral component of the care provided to patients. This study aimed to explore the supportive care experiences of patients and caregivers living with pancreatic and OG cancers in order to identify perceived opportunities for improvement. METHOD(S): Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with people living with pancreatic and OG cancers, and their caregivers, across Victoria, Australia during 2020. Interviews were thematically analysed to identify common themes. RESULT(S): Forty-one participants were interviewed, including 30 patients and 11 caregivers. Three overarching themes, each with multiple sub-themes, were identified: (i) inadequate support for symptoms and issues across the cancer journey (ii) caregiver's desire for greater support, and (iii) a multidisciplinary care team is the hallmark of a positive supportive care experience. Generally, those who had access to a cancer care coordinator and/or a palliative care team recounted more positive supportive care experiences. CONCLUSION(S): Unmet needs are prevalent across the pancreatic and OG cancer journey, with supportive care provided to varying levels of satisfaction. Greater awareness of and access to high-quality multidisciplinary support services is greatly desired by both patients with pancreatic and OG cancer and their caregivers.Copyright © 2022. The Author(s).

Problem: National guidelines recommend repeated screening for depression and anxiety for all women in the perinatal period. Routine screening in pregnancy is limited due to service, community and individual barriers. Background(s): Perinatal depression and perinatal anxiety affect up to 20% of all women. Women of refugee background are at even greater risk for perinatal mental health conditions due to refugee experiences and resettlement stressors. Aim(s): To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a perinatal mental health screening program for women of refugee background from the perspective of health professionals. Method(s): A mixed methods design guided by the Normalization Process Theory was used. Data were collected at a dedicated refugee antenatal clinic in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. An online survey (n = 38), focus groups (n = 2; 13 participants) and semi-structured interviews (n = 8; 11 participants) with health professionals were conducted. Finding(s): Under the four constructs of the Normalization Process Theory, health professionals reported improvements in identifying and referring women with mental health issues, more open and in-depth conversations with women about mental health and valued using an evidenced-based measure. Key issues included professional development, language barriers and time constraints. Discussion(s): Implementing a perinatal mental health screening program has been positively received. Strategies for sustainability include professional development and the addition of audio versions of the measures. Conclusion(s): This perinatal mental health screening program is acceptable and a feasible option for health professionals. Health professionals value providing more holistic care and have more open discussion with women about mental health.Copyright © 2019 Australian College of Midwives

Objective:A question prompt list (QPL) - a structured list of questions - assists women in acquiring relevant information and facilitates communication with healthcare providers (HPs). This study aims to co-develop an early menopause (EM) QPL and assess its acceptability and feasibility. Method(s):This three-phase study consisted of a survey to inform QPL development, interviews to explore acceptability, and clinical pilot-testing to assess feasibility. Participants included: 263 survey respondents with EM, 18 women interviewed, and 11 women and 6 HPs in pilot-testing. Main outcome measures were: survey - perceptions regarding communication with HPs, likeliness to use a QPL and QPL topics; interviews - QPL user-friendliness and acceptability; pilot study - women's QPL use, perceived helpfulness and future use, and HPs' perceived acceptability. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and thematic analysis. Result(s):Women's perceived communication difficulties most commonly related to sexual function (50.6%), vaginal/urinary symptoms (43%), and psychological effects (41.1%). Most women (67.3%) indicated they were very likely to use an EM QPL. EM symptoms, effects, and management were considered very important/essential QPL topics (>80%). Interviewed women perceived the QPL as comprehensive, user-friendly, informative, and empowering. Most pilot study women asked 1 to 2 questions (73%), perceived the QPL as helpful (100%), and would use it again (81.8%). HPs reported that the QPL helped patients to ask questions and initiate discussion about important and sensitive issues. Conclusion(s):Women with EM have unmet information and communication needs, and are supportive of a comprehensive EM QPL. The EM QPL was perceived as an acceptable and feasible resource for women to use during medical consultations.Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A484.Copyright © 2019 by The North American Menopause Society.

Objective: Osteoporosis associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and early menopause (EM) is a major concern for women. We aimed to (a) identify information and knowledge gaps and behaviours regarding bone health in women with POI/EM and (b) co-design an osteoporosis fact sheet. Design(s): Mixed-methods study: survey of women and online resource appraisals to develop and refine, using semi-structured interviews, an osteoporosis fact sheet. Patient(s): Women with POI/EM (menopause before ages 40 and 45 years respectively). Measurements: Demographics, comorbidities, information needs, calcium intake, exercise, osteoporosis knowledge (OKAT), beliefs and self-efficacy, DISCERN appraisal (validated scales). Analysis: descriptive statistics, logistic regression and thematic analysis of interviews. Result(s): Median age of survey respondents (n = 316) was 54(IQR47-63) years, median age of menopause was 40(IQR38-43) years, and osteoporosis diagnosis was reported in 19%. Most reported inadequate dietary calcium intake (99%) and exercise (65%). Median OKAT score 8 [IQR6-10]/19 indicated knowledge gaps regarding risk factors and treatment options. Adjusting for age and education, OKAT predicted calcium intake (OR 1.126 [CI 1.035-1.225]; P = 0.006) and screening (OR 1.186 [CI 1.077-1.305]; P = 0.001); beliefs predicted screening (OR 1.027 [CI 1.004-1.050]; P = 0.019); and self-efficacy predicted calcium intake (OR1.040 (CI 1.013-1.069); P = 0.003] and exercise (OR 1.117 [CI 1.077-1.160]; P < 0.001). Current online resources have deficiencies. Five themes identified from two interview rounds (n = 10/ round) were as follows: content, emotional response, design, perceived usefulness and clinical considerations. The final fact sheet was considered acceptable and useful in addressing knowledge gaps, promoting information-seeking, impacting behaviours and facilitating healthcare discussions. Conclusion(s): A co-designed fact sheet is acceptable and addresses identified o

Objective: To develop a question prompt list (QPL) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and explore its acceptability and feasibility. Design(s): Nationwide online survey, interviews, and clinical pilot test. Setting(s): Australia. Patient(s): Two-hundred and forty-nine women online, 18 women in interviews, and 20 women in clinics. Intervention(s): A QPL for PCOS. Main Outcome Measure(s): From survey, women's likeliness to use a QPL and priority topics; from interview, QPL user-friendliness and associated feelings; from pilot, women's QPL use, perceived helpfulness, and intended future use. Result(s): Evidence-based guidelines and multidisciplinary experts informed the QPL development. Of 249 survey respondents, 66.7% to 68.7% reported difficulty communicating with health care providers about mood, weight management, and how PCOS affects daily life, and 85.8% indicated they were very likely to use a PCOS QPL. Women were interviewed to explore acceptability; the semistructured interviews (n = 18) revealed that the devised QPL was easy to understand, user-friendly, and encouraged information seeking and targeted question asking. The refined QPL was pilot-tested in a clinic setting to explore feasibility between 2016 and 2017: 60.0% of women asked 1 to 2 questions from the QPL, 20.0% asked several questions, and 10.0% reported the QPL helped them generate their own questions. Women agreed the QPL was helpful (95.0%) and that they would use the QPL again (90.0%). Conclusion(s): The PCOS QPL is acceptable and feasible, and may assist women in information seeking and targeted question asking.Copyright © 2018 American Society for Reproductive Medicine