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PATIENT CENTRED CARE DURING RADIOTHERAPY

PATIENT CENTRED CARE DURING RADIOTHERAPY. Janice Fletcher Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (Radiotherapy & Oncology). ‘ Radiation Therapy is the use of high energy ionizing rays or particles to treat cancer’. The Cells are damaged By Direct Hit, which damages the RNA or DNA directly

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PATIENT CENTRED CARE DURING RADIOTHERAPY

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  1. PATIENT CENTRED CARE DURING RADIOTHERAPY Janice Fletcher Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (Radiotherapy & Oncology)

  2. ‘Radiation Therapy is the use of high energy ionizing rays or particles to treat cancer’ • The Cells are damaged • By Direct Hit, • which damages the RNA or DNA directly • By Indirect Hit, • where Ionization causes molecular changes and thus cause damage to the DNA

  3. So, What Does This Mean For The Patient? • Side Effects • Skin Reaction, Irritation of surrounding tissues to treatment area, Fatigue • Anxiety/Fear • Unknown, stories, fear of radiation, intimate • Life Disruption • Daily visits, travelling long distances, cost

  4. Symptom management • Skin and wound care • 80 - 90% patients = erythema • 10-15% patients = moist desquamation • (Wells et al) • Different for each individual • Influenced by other factors

  5. Symptom Management • Oral Care • Breathing Changes • Swallowing Changes • Bowel care

  6. Symptom Management Continued • Nutritional support and dietary advice • Psychosexual care • Fatigue management • Prevention and self care strategies

  7. Supportive care issues in radiotherapy Information Assessment of toxicity's Symptom management Emotional support Rehabilitation

  8. What happens after treatment? • Radiation reactions peak at end of treatment when daily contact is lost • Post treatment follow up only provides a snapshot view • Day to day experience largely unknown • 94% patients were still experiencing at least one symptom 14-21 days after completion of therapy (Rose et al 1996)

  9. Rehabilitation End of treatment assessment Self medication / self care strategies Telephone follow up Drop in clinics Liaison and education

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