Abstract 62P
Background
Soft (STS) and bone tissue sarcomas (BS) account for approximately 1%. Patients (P) management is often complicated by young age, histological heterogeneity and rarity of the disease. Although guidelines for the application of narrative medicine into clinical practice exist, a standard approach is still lacking. The objective of the study is to assess the feasibility (F) and utility (U) of a model integrating a theme-oriented digital narrative diary in the management of STS and BS P, according to both P and healthcare professionals (HCP) evaluation.
Methods
From January 2021 to June 2022 a prospective descriptive study was conducted at the IRCCS "Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute in Rome enrolling adult Italian-speaking P affected by STS or BS during treatment or follow-up. P were invited by HCP to access the platform (DNMLAB) for the application of narration in clinical practice in accordance with health data confidentiality criteria. P told about him/herself in a digital diary using a guided narrative path. HCP (3 oncologists, 1 psychologist, 1 case manager) read, shared and used the stories to personalize the cure. A semi-structured questionnaire (5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions) investigating F and U items was administered to HCP (twice) and to P (study end). Ethics Committee approved the study. A written informed consent was required.
Results
17 out of 30 invited P (56.7%) participated: 9/8 with STS/BS, M/F: 6/11, mean age 41 years (SD 8.2). 16 P assessed F and U items (easiness of use, opportunity to provide personal information, improvement of care relationship, awareness and coping capacity): medium scores ranged from 4.4 to 4.8. HCP F and U items assessment increased from T1 to T2 (mean score range: 3.2 – 4.8 vs 3.6 - 4.8). The main advantages were the improvement in: communication, therapeutic alliance and time management during the visits (mean score: 4.8). P and HCP recommended diary use in clinical practice. Lack in participation (13 P) was due to: technical problems (39%), preferring to talk orally (39%).
Conclusions
Theme-oriented narration is a useful tool in daily P care. Both P and HCP agreed on the F and U of the digital diary and strongly encouraged its introduction in clinical practice.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Istituto Regina Elena.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.