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BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) subscale in a longitudinal study of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.MethodsPatients were assessed with the FACT/GOG-Ntx subscale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Scale 20 (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20), National Cancer Institute -Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), and light touch test using 10 g monofilament for up to ten assessment points from baseline (prior to initiation of first chemotherapy), after the end of each cycle (up to 6 cycles, 3 weeks per cycle), and at 6, 9, and 12 months after starting chemotherapy. Psychometric analyses included internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, factorial validity, sensitivity to change and responsiveness (minimal clinically important difference, MCID).ResultsCronbach's alpha coefficients of the FACT/GOG-Ntx subscale were 0.82-0.89 across assessment points. The subscale strongly correlated with the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 (r = 0.79-0.93) but low-to-moderately correlated with the NCI-CTCAE sensory (rs = 0.23-0.45) and motor items (rs = 0.15-0.50) as well as the monofilament test (rs = 0.23-0.47). The hypothesized 4-factor structure of the FACT/GOG-Ntx subscale was not confirmed at assessment points (χ2/df = 2.26-8.50; all P

Resilience has been documented as an essential component in managing stress. However, understanding how undergraduate students with different sociodemographic characteristics perceive resilience remains understudied. This study aimed to explore how undergraduate students in one university define and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students' perception and preferences for receiving resilience training were additionally solicited. A descriptive qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven students were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide via Skype instant messaging. The thematic analysis generated five themes: resilience as enduring and withstanding; the building blocks of resilience; resilience: learning or earning; pedagogical considerations for resilience training; and a blended platform for resilience training. Participants described resilience as an enduring and withstanding trait essential for university students. Resilience can be built from intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors that enhanced resilience included desire to succeed and motivation. Extrinsic factors were relational in nature, and friends, family, teachers, and religion were found to boost resilience. Students had several recommendations in designing resilience training, and they recommended the use of a blended platform. Further, students suggested the use of videos, narratives from resilient individuals, and using reflective practice as a pedagogy in resilience training. Future resilience training should consist of personal and interpersonal factors and should be introduced early during the academic term of students' university life. As the COVID-19 pandemic compounds an already challenging academic climate, this study lends it findings to expand the resilience literature and develop future resilience training., Author(s): Wei How Darryl Ang [sup.1] , Shefaly Shorey [sup.1] , Violeta Lopez [sup.2] , Han Shi Jocelyn Chew [sup.1] , Ying Lau [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.4280.e, 0000 0001 [...]

Context/objectivesThis is the first study to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN twenty-item scale (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20), a validated instrument designed to elicit cancer patients' experience of symptoms and functional limitations related to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.MethodsCancer patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy completed EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity [FACT/GOG-NTX] at baseline, second cycle of chemotherapy (T2, n = 287), and 12 months after chemotherapy (T3, n = 191). Anchor-based approach used the validated FACT/GOG-NTX neurotoxicity (Ntx) subscale to identify optimal MCID cutoff for deterioration. Distribution-based approach used one-third standard deviation (SD), half SD, and one standard error of measurement of the total EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 score.ResultsThere was a moderate correlation between the change scores of the Ntx subscale and sensory and motor subscales of QLQ-CIPN20 (T2: r = - 0.722, p

BackgroundThere are inconsistencies in the literature regarding the prevalence and assessment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This study explored CIPN natural history and its characteristics in patients receiving taxane- and platinum-based chemotherapy.Patients and methodsMulti-country multisite prospective longitudinal observational study. Patients were assessed before commencing and three weekly during chemotherapy for up to six cycles, and at 6,9, and 12 months using clinician-based scales (NCI-CTCAE; WHO-CIPN criterion), objective assessments (cotton wool test;10 g monofilament); patient-reported outcome measures (FACT/GOG-Ntx; EORTC-CIPN20), and Nerve Conduction Studies.ResultsIn total, 343 patients were recruited in the cohort, providing 2399 observations. There was wide variation in CIPN prevalence rates using different assessments (14.2-53.4%). Prevalence of sensory neuropathy (and associated symptom profile) was also different in each type of chemotherapy, with paclitaxel (up to 63%) and oxaliplatin (up to 71.4%) showing the highest CIPN rates in most assessments and a more complex symptom profile. Peak prevalence was around the 6-month assessment (up to 71.4%). Motor neurotoxicity was common, particularly in the docetaxel subgroup (up to 22.1%; detected by NCI-CTCAE). There were relatively moderately-to-low correlations between scales (rs = 0.15,p

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant and difficult to manage side effect of neurotoxic chemotherapies. Several risk factors for CIPN have been identified to date, but inconsistencies and methodological limitations exist in past research. Also, a limited number of potential risk factors has been investigated in the past.AimThe objective of this study was to assess the relative contribution of a wider range of risk factors in the development of CIPN.MethodsThis analysis used the 6-month data after starting chemotherapy from a larger prospective observational study on CIPN risk, prevalence, and quality of life. Patients were assessed at recruitment for possible CIPN risk factors, including prior history of neuropathies, current/past infectious diseases; neurotoxic medication history; personal and treatment characteristics; smoking history, alcohol use, and vegetable/fruit intake. Neuropathy was assessed at 6-months after starting chemotherapy with the neuropathy (motor/sensory) items of the NCI-CTCAE scale and the WHO criterion for neuropathy. Data on symptom burden were also collected.ResultsData were available from 255 patients from three cancer centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and UK. The use of different scales did not always identify the same predictor variables. Key risk factors in multivariate regression models included older age (highest OR = 1.08, p

ABSTRACT Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications for the Profession Impact Reporting Method Patient or Public Contribution To provide a worked example informed by relevant literature and related studies that novice and early career researchers may use to reflect on, prepare and conduct a thoughtful and rigorous qualitative descriptive study.Methodological discussion of qualitative descriptive design.Seminal work and recent related literature were reviewed to situate the discussion and identify the concepts and steps to conduct a qualitative descriptive study.Qualitative descriptive design is widely used in nursing and health science research. This design offers flexible use of qualitative methods, which presents a double‐edged sword, posing challenges in preparing a well‐developed study and achieving methodological rigour. The design often borrows methods from other qualitative traditions, which may need to be clarified for novice and early career researchers, wherein studies may be conducted using a mix and match of methods without giving justice to the heart of qualitative descriptive design. In this paper, we present a step‐by‐step guide, using a worked example, to demonstrate how to conduct a qualitative descriptive study.Qualitative descriptive design may be confusing due to its flexibility, which may limit the scope of research and subsequently, the quality and impact of the findings. With the appropriate application of research methods producing high‐quality and relevant findings, qualitative descriptive design is a valuable qualitative method in its own right.Novice and early career researchers may increase the impact of their findings through rigorously conducting their studies. Clarifying steps for thoughtful execution may inform novice and early career researchers, allowing for a rigorous application of the method, which, in turn, may contribute to impactful findings.A clear presentation of steps, supported by a worked example and related studies, may support novice and early career researchers in conducting a qualitative descriptive study with methodological rigour.Not applicable.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To map and explore primary research about factors related to retention, turnover and turnover intention among migrant nurses. Background: Understanding retention and turnover among migrant nurses is essential, especially in the context of nursing shortage. There is a range of factors motivating nurses to emigrate; however, factors related to retention and turnover among migrant nurses in the host country are unclear. Methods: This review utilised Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework for scoping reviews, and is reported with the PRISMA‐ScR checklist. Four electronic databases were searched—CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and PubMed—to identify primary research published between January 2000 and May 2022. Titles and abstracts were reviewed against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then full‐text versions were reviewed. Data extracted were summarised, and results synthesised. Results: Fifteen studies were included, with studies mainly from the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States. Personal, organisational, financial, political and environmental factors were found to influence retention and turnover among migrant nurses. Conclusion: Retention and turnover rates among migrant nurses vary among host countries. The factors identified are related to each other; hence, retention and turnover among migrant nurses are best understood in the context of their source country, host country and individual circumstances. Implications for nursing policy, social policy, and health policy: Host countries must promote strategies that foster retention, such as reviewing immigration policies to support long‐term immigration and family unity. Organisations employing migrant nurses need to consider the presence of a social network to facilitate adaptation and integration. It is also recommended that source countries address the reasons for emigration and initiate policies encouraging return migration, including providing merit to overseas experience. International nursing organisations should call for an examination of the conditions of migrant nurses to ensure equality across all source countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in Iran from April 2020–2021 involved 100 eligible breast cancer survivors (BCSs). The study examined the impact of sexual counseling using a modified "Good Enough Sex" (GES) model on BCSs' sexual health variables. The intervention group, consisting of BCSs and their spouses, participated in four weekly group counseling sessions lasting 90–120 min each. The control group attended routine medical checkups. The intervention was designed based on a previous qualitative study assessing sexual needs and concerns in BCSs, as well as the GES model. Sexual satisfaction, function, and communication were evaluated at baseline, two, and three months follow-ups. Most participants (77%) had undergone a mastectomy, with diagnoses typically occurring between ages 39–49 and 5–7 years post-diagnosis. Initially low sexual satisfaction and function significantly improved in the intervention group (p < 0.001), reaching high satisfaction and moderate function levels. After three months, significant differences in sexual health variables were observed between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001), indicating substantial positive effects, particularly in sexual satisfaction (0.99). Given the challenges in improving sexual function due to cancer complications, sex education based on sexual dialogue and realistic expectations can promote sexual well-being. RCT Number: IRCT20120609009975N8, dated 2020-04-18, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a theoretical framework (and its components) is not clearly linked to research methods, researchers risk designing flawed studies, wherein the stated research question is inconsistent with the research design. Explicitly identifying one's theoretical orientation can provide an orderly schematic for linking observations from separate investigations (i.e. qualitative, quantitative) thereby facilitating understandings and guiding research designs particularly in fields of social and health sciences where complex phenomena are an aspect of the subject of inquiry. Although this has been established, "how" researchers might position their research theoretically to guide mixed methods research is less clear. In this paper, we propose the Before Design Theoretical Placement as a general guide for specifying and locating studies in a broader theoretical grounding, and discuss how it may inform overall study considerations. We then use this approach to illustrate how theories and methods can work together to facilitate professional knowledge development from a relational perspective.