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PurposeThe aim of this study was to test the effect of intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional competence on cancer patients’ supportive care needs, as mediated by anxiety and depression symptoms.MethodsCross-sectional design: 137 cancer patients (42% breast or ovarian cancer, 58% gastrointestinal cancer) in 4 French hospitals completed the Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form (SCNS-SF). Bootstrap methods with PROCESS Macro were used to test multiple mediation models.ResultsEmotional competence presented a direct or indirect beneficial effect on the satisfaction of supportive care needs, anxiety and depression symptoms. As expected, anxiety and depression symptoms had also strong positive correlations with unmet needs. All multiple mediation models were significant, except for physical needs: intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional competence impacted anxiety and depression symptoms, which in turn impacted psychological, sexual, care/support, and information needs.ConclusionsThese innovative results show the important effect of patients’ emotional competence on their supportive care need satisfaction, as mediated by anxiety and depression. Consequently, patients with high emotional competence may require less psychosocial input from medical clinicians. Thus, emotional competence may be integrated into health models and psychosocial interventions to improve patient adjustment. Further investigation is, however, needed to know which are the most beneficial specific emotional competences and at what point of the cancer pathway.

This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of long term posttraumatic growth (PTG) after breast cancer, and relationships of PTG with psychological health in a random sample of 307 currently disease-free women 5–15 years after diagnosis. This cross-sectional study reveals long term posttraumatic growth scores comparable to those found in shorter term studies. Prevalence of a better appreciation of life is especially noteworthy. With the exception of perceived current sequelae of disease associated in a somewhat curvilinear fashion with PTG, demographic and medical variables are poor predictors of the issue. On the contrary, dispositional positive affectivity and adaptative coping of positive, active, relational, religious and to some extent denial coping have a strong effect on growth. Finally, PTG is slightly associated with mental quality of life and happiness. Findings are discussed in the light of posttraumatic growth theory.

This article chronicles a failed research project. We designed and carried out a psychological intervention aimed at increasing esogastric and lung cancer patients’ emotional competencies after treatments. We present the final protocol of the study, a randomized controlled trial in a public hospital, and describe the difficulties encountered and our subsequent reflections, to provide researchers and clinicians with advice for the implementation of such interventions. Firstly, the role of psychology, emotions, and emotional competencies, is still underacknowledged in cancer care. Pedagogical efforts must be made to convince both physicians and patients of the importance of those elements. Secondly and consequently, even distressed patients sure to benefit from such an intervention, do not take it up. In particular, male patients often declined the intervention due to gender stereotypes, and as such creativity is needed to present such interventions in a motivating way for patients. Finally, and most importantly, even if there is a good rationale for a psychological intervention and all favorable conditions are present, it is essential to first conduct a feasibility/pilot study. Indeed, even the most thorough preparation is no guarantee of anticipating all issues due to important gaps between theory and practice. Cet article retrace l’histoire d’un projet de recherche qui a échoué. Nous avons conçu et implémenté une intervention psychologique visant à augmenter les compétences émotionnelles des patient·e·s atteint·e·s de cancer œsogastrique ou de cancer du poumon, après leurs traitements. L’étude était un essai contrôlé randomisé dans un hôpital public. Nous présentons le protocole final de l’étude, décrivons les difficultés rencontrées et nos réflexions à ce sujet, afin de transmettre notre expérience et les messages clefs qui vont avec aux chercheur·e·s et clinicien·ne·s pour la mise en œuvre de telles interventions. Tout d’abord, le rôle de la psychologie, des émotions et des compétences émotionnelles est encore largement sous-estimé en oncologie. Des efforts pédagogiques doivent être faits pour convaincre médecin·e·s et patient·e·s de l’importance de ces éléments. Deuxièmement, même les patient·e·s en détresse qui bénéficieraient d’une telle intervention ne la suivent pas, en particulier les hommes en raison de stéréotypes de genre. Il faut faire preuve de créativité pour présenter de telles interventions de manière motivante pour les patient·e·s. Enfin, le message le plus important est que même si on a un très bon rationnel pour une intervention psychologique et que toutes les conditions favorables sont réunies, il est essentiel de mener une étude de faisabilité/ pilote d’abord. En effet, même avec la préparation la plus minutieuse, on ne peut pas anticiper tous les obstacles car il existe un gap bien réel entre la théorie et la pratique.

Background Pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) are established risk factors for adverse pregnancy, delivery and birth outcomes. Pregnancy is an ideal moment for nutritional interventions in order to establish healthier lifestyle behaviors in women at high risk of obstetric and neonatal complications. Methods Electronic-Personalized Program for Obesity during Pregnancy to Improve Delivery (ePPOP-ID) is an open multicenter randomized controlled trial which will assess the efficacy of an e-health web-based platform offering a personalized lifestyle program to obese pregnant women in order to reduce the rate of labor procedures and delivery interventions in comparison to standard care. A total of 860 eligible pregnant women will be recruited in 18 centers in France between 12 and 22 weeks of gestation, randomized into the intervention or the control arm and followed until 10 weeks of postpartum. The intervention is based on nutrition, eating behavior, physical activity, motivation and well-being advices in which personalization is central, as well as the use of a mobile/tablet application. Inputs includes data from the medical record of participants (medical history, anthropometric data), from the web platform (questionnaires on dietary habits, eating behavior, physical activity and motivation in both groups), and adherence to the program (time of connection for the intervention group only). Data are collected at inclusion, 32 weeks, delivery and 10 weeks postpartum. As primary outcome, we will use a composite endpoint score of obstetrical interventions during labor and delivery, defined as caesarean section and instrumental delivery (forceps and vacuum extractor). Secondary outcomes will consist of data routinely collected as part of usual antenatal and perinatal care, such as GWG, hypertension, preeclampsia, as well as fetal and neonatal outcomes including premature birth, gestational age at birth, birth weight, macrosomia, Apgar score, arterial umbilical cord pH, neonatal traumatism, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress syndrome, transfer in neonatal intensive care unit, and neonatal adiposity. Post-natal outcomes will be duration of breastfeeding, maternal weight retention and child weight at postnatal visit. Discussion The findings of the ePPOP-ID trial will help design e-health intervention program for obese women in pregnancy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02924636 / October 5th 2016.

Purpose of ReviewOur goal was to provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with evidence-based data about what can be done to handle prognostic discussions with empathy.Recent FindingsFirst, disclosing prognosis involves a good reason to do so and making sure that the patient will be able to process the discussion. Second, communication tips are given for the three dimensions of empathy: “establishing rapport with the patient,” which should not be overlooked; the emotional dimension, which involves an accurate understanding of the patient and communication skills; and the “active/positive” dimension which is about giving hope, explaining things clearly and helping patients take control with shared decision-making and a planned future.SummaryAlthough communication tips are helpful, empathy training should be based more on the development of HCPs’ emotional skills, in order to help them regulate their emotions and thus be more comfortable with those of patients and families. Furthermore, research into empathy toward minorities and relatives is needed.

Introduction We outline the steps in creating and evaluating the content and face validity of the Questionnaire on Parental Hope in Pediatric Oncology (Q‐PHPO), which measures the understanding of information provided by healthcare professionals (Part 1) and hope as experienced and perceived by parents (Part 2). Methods The development of the Q‐PHPO was based on a literature review and 14 interviews with parents whose children had been diagnosed with cancer. The content and face validity were verified both quantitatively and qualitatively by assessing the clarity, relevance, and discomfort caused by the questionnaire, with input from expert parents (n = 7) and professionals (n = 10). Results In terms of clarity, most items had an item content validity index (I‐CVI) ≥ 0.80 and a kappa (K) value ≥ 0.74. Despite more nuanced results being obtained for relevance, most items had an I‐CVI ≥ 0.70 and a K value ≥ 0.74. After revision, the first part of the Q‐PHPO includes two dimensions: the child's illness (5 items) and the child's psychosocial well‐being (4 items). The second part contains 20 items divided into three dimensions: the child's illness (6 items), the child's psychosocial well‐being (9 items), and the parent's psychosocial well‐being (5 items). Conclusions The results provide evidence of the content and face validity of the Q‐PHPO. Further testing will confirm the questionnaire's construct and criterion validity and its reliability, making it a potentially valuable tool in pediatric oncology departments. Patient or Public Contribution In this study, we adopted a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement approach, actively involving patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers as key contributors to the development and evaluation of the Q‐PHPO questionnaire. Parents of children in remission from leukemia and healthcare professionals provided valuable insights based on their lived experiences, influencing the content of the questionnaire, and contributed by assessing the relevance and clarity of the questionnaire items. Researchers specializing in questionnaire development and oncology reviewed and refined the instrument, ensuring its validity and suitability.

Purpose Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are predominantly studied in men. This study aimed to explore women’s experiences of HNC. Methods The study was based on the secondary analysis of interviews conducted by using the life story methodology with patients who underwent surgery for HNC. We selected seven particularly rich interviews regarding the experience of cancer and first conducted a thematic analysis to identify key patterns in the data. We then applied interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore in depth how participants made sense of their experiences. Results Key themes were identified across different phases of the illness journey, including diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment, recurrence, and future projection. A major challenge was diagnostic wandering , as many women did not fit the typical head and neck cancer (HNC) profile—typically a man who consumes alcohol and tobacco. Identity loss was a central issue, with themes of reclaiming one’s body post-surgery and the loss of feminine symbolism (infertility, hair loss, self-recognition). Coping strategies varied: some sought social support and aimed to return to work, while others viewed surgery as essential for recovery. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for personalized support tailored to women’s specific needs and challenges. Implications for cancer survivors This study emphasize the importance of providing personalized support that closely aligns with the needs of female head and neck cancer survivors. It is crucial to consider their subjectivity, recognizing that each experience is unique, to better assist them in overcoming adversity. Tailoring care to their individual realities will more effectively address their emotional and physical difficulties.

Background Educational programs incorporating physical activity (PA) sessions and nutritional workshops have demonstrated potential benefits for overweight and obese pregnant women. However, participation in such programs remains challenging. This prospective study aimed to investigate the factors influencing participation and regular attendance, while examining changes in health behaviors, along with obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Methods Pregnant women with at 12–22 weeks’ gestation a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were invited to join an educational program combining three nutritional workshops conducted in groups and 12 weekly PA sessions. They self-selected their participation into the program. Regardless of program uptake and regularity of attendance, the women’s PA levels, eating behaviors, and affectivity were assessed using validated questionnaires at 20–24 weeks, 32–34 weeks, and postpartum. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the factors influencing participation. Results Of the 187 women enrolled in the study, 61.5% agreed to participate in the program. Of these, only 45% attended six or more sessions (regardless of the nature of sessions, i.e. nutritional workshops and/or PA sessions), while only 8.7% attended six or more PA sessions. Participation was associated with higher rates of problematic eating behaviors and lower PA levels at baseline, while regular attendance was mainly associated with higher household incomes. No significant difference was observed between participants and non-participants in terms of changes in eating behaviors, PA levels, or affectivity. However, at the 32–34 week visit, regular participants displayed a higher change in positive affectivity, but unexpectedly also in cognitive restraint, than non-regular participants, a difference that did not persist at postpartum. Conclusion The educational program combining nutrition and PA was shown to be safe. Women facing challenges related to health behavior displayed a willingness to sign up for the program, but tailored interventions addressing their individual challenges are needed to improve attendance. Accordingly, four recommendations are proposed for the design of future interventions. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT02701426; date of first registration: 08/03/2016.

Objective Breaking the news of cancer progression is a complex task that requires a balance between clinical accuracy and relational sensitivity. Although research has examined the perspectives of experienced healthcare professionals, little is known about how trainees navigate these consultations. This study aims to explore the experiences of medical and nursing trainees in disclosing disease progression, focusing on communication strategies, emotional impacts, and professional development. Methods Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with trainees in Swiss hospitals (11 oncologists and 7 nurses). The data were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results Trainees described disclosure as a carefully prepared, emotionally demanding process requiring clarity, empathy, and teamwork. Five themes emerged, with particular emphasis on experiential learning and the emotional burden of disclosure. Formal training and protocols provided limited guidance, while experience, supervision, and peer support were crucial in developing communication skills. Variability in patient and family reactions influenced decision-making and underscored the need for flexible, relationally attuned communication. Conclusion Disclosing cancer progression is a demanding experience for trainees, who described the need to adapt their communication, manage emotional responses, and rely on interprofessional collaboration. Their accounts highlight the central role of experience, supervision, and supportive environments in shaping how they navigate these challenging consultations.

The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) experiences of oncology consultations in which a change of treatment is proposed and discussed with patients (and their family caregivers, if present) due to cancer progression. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs (oncologists, surgeons, and nurses) who regularly disclosed cancer progression. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. The member reflections method was used to verify the accuracy of the content of the analysis. Six themes were identified, demonstrating that the disclosure of cancer progression is a process that is not limited to a single consultation. HCPs rely on their knowledge of patients and family caregivers to adapt their communication considering their preferences. Communication skills such as empathy and self-questioning are highly endorsed. The findings highlight the process of breaking bad news and the way in which HCPs deal with consultations to announce the progression of cancer considering criticisms made and proposed improvements. Breaking bad news is a difficult process. Introducing compulsory training as part of the medical curriculum, creating safe, individual listening areas, and encouraging teamwork can help to better support HCPs.