Abstract 5914
Background
The case for investing in better integrated mental health provision and training in cancer care is compelling. Mental health co-morbidity in cancer and end of life care is very common, poorly recognized, and leads to distress and loss of functioning. The recent SMaRT oncology trials, (Walker et al., 2014) have demonstrated that up to 73% of cancer patients with depression receive no evidence-based treatment for their depression. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for completed suicide in the cancer patient is four to seven times that of the matched population, (Robinson et al., 2009; Robson et al ., 2010). The increased awareness of co-morbid mental health conditions have impacted upon and influenced the cancer world. Yet, despite the plethora of research and policy advocating for better mental health provision for cancer patients, there is still a lack of recognition of the importance of assessing and managing co-morbid mental health in cancer patients.
Methods
The authors designed a one-day simulation based training programme using trained actors portraying cancer journeys, from diagnosis to end of life, with a number of different and relevant mental health co-morbidities. Inter-professional participants (n = 75) filled questionnaires both before and after the intervention (the simulation programme). The questionnaires consisted of multiple choice questions assessing knowledge of mental health co-morbidity in the cancer patient, and confidence (self- rated 1-5 Likert scales).
Results
Statistical t test analysis of pre v post intervention scores (n = 75) revealed highly statistically significant imrpovements to participants’ clinical knowledge (p < 0.0001) and confidence (p < 0.0001) as a result of the simulation intervention.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that an innovative simulation programme has been evaluated as highly effective in improving knowledge and confidence of inter-professional learners at managing mental health co-morbidity in cancer patients. More research in this educational modality is welcomed in training clinicians.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
A. Fernando.
Funding
Health Education England.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
5638 - Incidence of Vascular Thromboembolism Events in Cancer Patients Receiving Immunotherapy: A Single Institution Experience.
Presenter: Laura Gutiérrez Sainz
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5182 - High Incidence of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
Presenter: Alaa Abufara
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1504 - Weight Loss over Time in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results from a Landmark Analysis of 800+ Prospectively-Treated Patients
Presenter: Jennifer Le-rademacher
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3972 - The prognostic significance of preoperative nutritional status in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Presenter: Salvatore Paiella
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2313 - Impact of Timing and Technique of Gastrostomy Placement on the Outcome of Patients (pts) with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC)
Presenter: M Julia Lostes Bardaji
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5219 - Clinical & nutritional determinants of quality of life in patients with incurable cancer
Presenter: Louise Daly
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4075 - Loss of skeletal muscle mass during palliative chemotherapy is a poor prognostic factor in patients with advanced gastric cancer
Presenter: In Gyu Hwang
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4159 - Impact of nutritional derangement on treatment outcome in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (A-NSCLC) patients (pts).
Presenter: Ilaria Trestini
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1210 - Sarcopenia and pretreatment anemia as prognostic factors for patients with localized muscle invasive bladder cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy
Presenter: Emilien Billon
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2490 - Gender effect on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of anamorelin (ANAM) in healthy volunteers and cancer patients with cachexia
Presenter: Stein Kaasa
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract