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Objective: Interprofessional education (IPE) is when two or more students from different professions learn with, from, and about each other to improve collaboration and quality of healthcare. In October 2019, a first interprofessional education (IPE) day was held in the canton of Zurich with the aim of teaching interprofessional skills to participating students. Methodology: The IPE day was developed by an interprofessional team of students. After a short introduction, the roles and tasks of the professional groups involved were discussed. This was followed by two case studies with simulation persons and reflection rounds. For the evaluation of the day, 15 semi-structured interviews with students and lecturers were conducted and qualitatively evaluated by means of thematic analysis. Results: The students and lecturers had a very positive experience of the IPE day. Especially the participation of medical and pharmacy students, the practical case studies with simulation persons and the informal exchange during the breaks were appreciated. There was room for improvement in the development of role models. Through an open attitude and good communication, the students learned to know and appreciate the competencies of the other professional groups. All those interviewed wished for more interprofessional teaching opportunities and the students felt encouraged to apply what they had learned in their later professional practice. Conclusion: The IPE day could be carried out successfully and the didactic concept worked largely well. The evaluation provided subjective evidence that the students were able to improve the interprofessional competencies of teamwork, communication, openness, appreciation and reflectiveness. In the future, the IPE day should be anchored in the curricula.

BackgroundPrimary dysmenorrhea is a common condition in women of reproductive age. A previous app-based study undertaken by our group demonstrated that a smartphone app supporting self-acupressure introduced by a health care professional can reduce menstrual pain. ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate whether a specific smartphone app is effective in reducing menstrual pain in 18- to 34-year-old women with primary dysmenorrhea in a self-care setting. One group of women has access to the full-featured study app and will be compared with 2 control groups who have access to fewer app features. Here, we report the trial design, app development, user access, and engagement. MethodsOn the basis of the practical implications of the previous app-based study, we revised and reengineered the study app and included the ResearchKit (Apple Inc) framework. Behavior change techniques (BCTs) were implemented in the app and validated by expert ratings. User access was estimated by assessing recruitment progress over time. User evolution and baseline survey respondent rate were assessed to evaluate user engagement. ResultsThe development of the study app for a 3-armed randomized controlled trial required a multidisciplinary team. The app is accessible for the target population free of charge via the Apple App Store. In Germany, within 9 months, the app was downloaded 1458 times and 328 study participants were recruited using it without external advertising. A total of 98.27% (5157/5248) of the app-based baseline questions were answered. The correct classification of BCTs used in the app required psychological expertise. ConclusionsConducting an innovative app study requires multidisciplinary effort. Easy access and engagement with such an app can be achieved by recruitment via the App Store. Future research is needed to investigate the determinants of user engagement, optimal BCT application, and potential clinical and self-care scenarios for app use. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03432611; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03432611 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75LLAcnCQ).

BackgroundCancer is highly prevalent worldwide and can cause high levels of distress in patients, which is often neglected in medical care. Smartphone apps are readily available and therefore seem promising to deliver distress-reducing interventions such as mindfulness and relaxation programs. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a mindfulness and relaxation app for cancer patients. We looked at characteristics of participating patients in a mobile health (mHealth) study, including adherence to the app intervention, predictors for adherence, and patients’ feedback regarding the app. MethodsIn this prospective observational study with a mixed-methods approach, cancer patients received a mindfulness and relaxation self-care app. Cancer patients were recruited online and through hospitals in Switzerland. We assessed self-reported measures (eg, quality of life, anxiety, depressive symptoms, openness to experience, resistance to change) at baseline, and the app gathered data on patients’ practicing time. With 8 semistructured interviews, we obtained patients’ feedback about the app and recommendations for improvements. We looked at 3 dimensions of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework (reach, adoption, and maintenance) and analyzed data for adherence for the first 10 weeks of the app intervention. We report descriptive statistics for patient characteristics and app use. For the prediction of adherence, we used Kaplan-Meier analyses with log-rank tests and a Cox proportional hazards regression. ResultsData from 100 cancer patients (74 female) showed that 54 patients were using the app exercises continuously until week 10. In continuous app users, the median number of exercises per week dropped from 4 (interquartile range, IQR 1-7) at week 1 to a median of 2 (IQR 1-4) at week 10. Our analyses revealed 4 significant predictors for better adherence: female gender, higher openness to experience, higher resistance to change, and more depressive symptoms. Interviews revealed that the patients generally were satisfied with the app but also made suggestions on how to improve it. ConclusionsOur study indicates that a mindfulness and relaxation mHealth intervention for cancer patients is feasible with acceptable adherence and largely positive feedback from patients. Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00010481; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigation Id=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00010481 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73xGE1B0P)

Museum engagement may be an effective approach for decreasing social disconnection and pain among individuals living with chronic pain. In October 2019, we launched a randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of museum engagement for individuals living with chronic pain; the study was halted in March, 2020 due to Covid-19-related safety concerns. This paper describes the process of transitioning from in-person to virtual museum programing in order to continue the study. Virtual museum programing is a feasible option for individuals living with chronic pain that is amenable to research and which may improve accessibility, inclusivity, and scalability relative to in-person programing.

ObjectiveThis mixed-methods study examines the feasibility of art museum tours (Art Rx) as an intervention for individuals with chronic pain.MethodsArt Rx provided 1-hour docent-led tours in an art museum to individuals with chronic pain. Survey data were collected pre-tour, immediately post-tour, and at three weeks post-tour. Pain intensity and unpleasantness were measured with a 0-10 numerical rating scale. Social disconnection was measured with a 12-item social disconnection scale. Participants also reported percent pain relief during the tour and program satisfaction in the post-tour survey. Change in pain and social disconnection was analyzed with paired t tests, bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence intervals (BCa CIs), and Cohen's d. Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with participants explored the feasibility and perceived impact of the program.ResultsFifty-four individuals participated in this study (mean age [SD] = 59 [14.5] years, 64.8% female), and 14 were interviewed. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported pain relief during the tour, with an average pain relief (SD) of 47% (34.61%). Participants reported decreased social disconnection and pain unpleasantness pre- to post-tour (3.65, BCa 95% CI = 1.70-5.73, P

Purpose: Many cancer patients wish for complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) consultations led by their oncology physician. Within the KOKON‐KTO study, oncology physicians in the intervention group were trained in a blended learning to provide CIM consultations to their cancer patients in addition to distributing a leaflet about CIM websites. Control oncology physicians only distributed the leaflet. The training showed positive effects on the patient‐level. As of now, no consistent evidence exists on the long‐term effects of such one‐time‐only CIM consultation during cancer treatment. Methods: In the KOKON‐KTO follow‐up study, cancer patients previously participating in the KOKON‐KTO study (intervention group:IG and control group: CG) received, at least 24 months later, a follow‐up questionnaire by post, evaluating long‐term effects of the KOKON‐KTO consultation using the measures provided in the original study (patient‐physician communication (EORTC‐QLQ‐COMU2), satisfaction with cancer treatment (PS‐CaTE), CIM disclosure with healthcare provider (HCP), and need for CIM consultation during cancer therapy). Results: In total, 102 cancer patients participated in the follow‐up study (IG n = 62; CG n = 40). The overall reponse rate was around 36% (IG: 48.4%; CG: 23.7%). In the follow‐up study, differences between groups had increased and were still shown (EORTC‐QLQ‐COMU26, 0–100 point scale, ≥10‐point‐group difference) in some subscales: patient's active behavior (in means; IG:73.6 (95% CI, 63.8–83.5); CG:61.1 (95% CI, 52.4–69.8)); clinician‐patient relationship (IG:80.9 (95% CI, 71.8–90.0); CG:68.7 (95% CI, 59.3–78.0)). For some outcomes, differences decreased over time (e.g., EORTC‐QLQ‐COMU26 subscales "takes into account patient's preference" and "corrects misunderstandings"). More patients in the CG used CIM without oncology physicians' knowledge (IG: 13.7%, CG: 24.0%). Conclusion: This study presents first findings that one‐time‐only CIM consultations may enhance patient‐physican relationship and CIM disclosure long‐term. To further support cancer patients' in their wish for CIM consultations, training programs should provide oncology physicians with CIM competencies for different cancer stages including cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this meta-epidemiological study was to develop a rating that captures participants' motivation at the study level in digital health intervention (DHI) randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The rating was used to investigate whether participants' motivation is associated with the effect estimates in DHI RCTs for cancer patients. The development of the rating was based on a bottom-up approach involving the collection of information that captures participants' baseline motivation in empirical studies from the Smartphone-RCCT Database. We specified three indicators for rating: indicator 1 captures whether the study team actively selects or enhances the motivation of the potential study participants; indicator 2 captures the study participants' active engagement before the treatment allocation; and indicator 3 captures the potential bond and trust between the study participants and the person/institution referring to the study. The rating of each indicator and the overall rating varies between high motivation, moderate motivation, and low motivation. We applied the rating across 27 DHI RCTs with cancer patients. We performed meta-regression analysis to examine the effect of patient motivation on quality of life (QoL), psychological outcomes, and attrition. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) indicated moderate to poor inter-rater reliability. The meta-regression showed that cancer patients' overall motivation before engaging in the intervention was associated with the treatment effect of QoL. Patient motivation was not found to be associated with psychological outcomes or attrition. Subgroup analyses revealed that the clinical effects of DHIs were more prevalent in the high-motivation subgroups, whereas the low-motivation subgroups were unlikely to show intervention benefits. The likelihood of dropouts from DHIs seems to be especially high among the low-bond (indicator 3) subgroup. We suggest using single indicators since they reflect specific content. Better reporting about baseline motivation is required to enable meaningful interpretations in not only primary studies but also in evidence syntheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people affected by cancer were in need of information about the virus and about the (self-) management of cancer symptoms and treatment. It is important to understand how patients with cancer navigated through the pandemic and to explore their experience relating to their supportive care needs. Aim. This study aimed to describe the experience of Swiss oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic with additional supportive cancer care. Methods. A single-center study was conducted in 2021. Patients with melanoma, breast, lung, or colon cancer who received active systemic anticancer treatment at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and who were additionally seeing either oncology clinical nurse specialists, integrative medicine physicians, or both were included. We conducted semistructured interviews alongside the patient-reported quantitative assessment of distress and resilience. Thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data and descriptive statistics for the quantitative data. Results. Eighteen patients with cancer were interviewed. Patients seeing an integrative medicine physician highlighted that they positively felt being addressed as a whole person during the consultations. The oncology clinical nurse specialists were perceived as the first point of contact for the patients and had more time during the pandemic compared to what the patients normally received. In general, patients did not experience delays or disruptions in their cancer treatment. As immunosuppressed and fatigued patients with cancer, they felt supported by the restrictions and hygienic measures. Access to vaccination reassured patients against the risk of infection. These results were reflected in the quantitative data, as we found moderate distress levels (M = 4.1; SD = 2.5) and high resilience scores (M = 7.5; SD = 0.9) in this patient population. Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with cancer felt particularly supported by integrative medicine and cancer nurse consultations. Secured resources for nursing consultations and integrative medicine services can help to address the supportive care needs of patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a need for more Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) to strengthen the evidence base for clinical and policy decision-making. Effectiveness Guidance Documents (EGD) are targeted to clinical researchers. The aim of this EGD is to provide specific recommendations for the design of prospective acupuncture studies to support optimal use of resources for generating evidence that will inform stakeholder decision-making. Methods Document development based on multiple systematic consensus procedures (written Delphi rounds, interactive consensus workshop, international expert review). To balance aspects of internal and external validity, multiple stakeholders including patients, clinicians and payers were involved. Results Recommendations focused mainly on randomized studies and were developed for the following areas: overall research strategy, treatment protocol, expertise and setting, outcomes, study design and statistical analyses, economic evaluation, and publication. Conclusion The present EGD, based on an international consensus developed with multiple stakeholder involvement, provides the first systematic methodological guidance for future CER on acupuncture.