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service was introduced in a safe and controlled manner by
meeting at regular intervals throughout the set-up
process, writing protocols and work instructions, and
designing and implementing a competency-based training
programme for staff undertaking and assisting
with the procedures. This service is now a prerequisite for
three clinical trials at our centre. Procedures include;
prostate FM insertion under Trans Rectal Ultrasound
(TRUS) guidance, collection of prostate
tissue for
research
purposes and the insertion of a prostate hydrogel spacer.
Results
Since December 2015, there have been 34 patients
through this clinic. All patients received FMs and three
patients also had prostate biopsies taken and insertion of
the hydrogel spacer. As part of service evaluation for the
first five months, patients attending this clinic received a
post-procedure phone call 72 hours after FM insertion by
the Clinical Research Radiographer to monitor for any
complications. 11 patients who had attended the clinic for
FM insertion received this call; seven patients reported no
issues, two reported loose bowels/diarrhoea, one patient
reported haematuria and one case of possible prostatitis
was also reported.
Conclusion
This service has been a significant development in
facilitating participation in local and national prostate
cancer radiotherapy trials. Patient-reported acute side
effects and toxicity resulting from the procedures
undertaken would indicate they are well tolerated with
minimal complications reported. Demand for this service
continues to grow with the opening of further clinical
trials. Performance and efficiency of this clinic demands
an ongoing collaborative approach by a large multi-
disciplinary group working across professional,
departmental and institutional boundaries
.
EP-1853 The Role of Radiotherapist in Prospective
Evaluation of Quality of Life of Head-Neck Cancer
patients
D. Debojoyti
1
1
APOLLO GLENEAGLES HOSPITAL, RADIOTHERAPY,
Kolkata, India
Purpose or Objective
Cancer and its subsequent treatment may cause physical,
emotional, and psychological difficulties for individuals.
Quality of life (QOL) indices are as important as the
traditional end points of overall survival, disease free
survival & tumor response in cancer management. QOL is
particularly relevant for patients with head & neck cancer
, because social interaction & emotional expression
depend to a great extent on the structural & functional
integrity of the head & neck region
.
Material and Methods
During the period, June 2012 to June 2013, 33 head & neck
squamous cell cancer patients who received radical
chemoradiotherapy were consented and prospectively
assessed for quality of life score using Europian
Organization for Research & Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
core Questionnaires version 3(QLQ-C30) and the EORTC
QLQ- H&N35, in any one of three languages (English,
Hindi, Bengali). The score was assessed thrice for each
patient, before start of radical treatment, just after
completion of radical treatment and at the time of first
follow up. Follow up QOL score has not been incorporated
in this report.
Results
There were significant changes in Emotional Function
(mean 71.21 vs 79.04, p=.04, 95%CI -15.53- -.11), Social
Function (mean 81.81vs90.90, p=.05, 95%CI-18.20- .02),
Insomnia(mean 22.61vs32.14, p=.03, 95%CI-18.03- -1.01),
Apetite (mean 34.52vs60.71, p=0.001, 95%CI-40.84- -
11.53) & for Nausea/Vomiting (mean 6.79vs24.69, p=.002,
95%CI-28.55- -7.25).
Conclusion
In accordance with our prospective study of quality of life
of patients head & neck cancer, we found there were no
deterioration of physical & role function & finally it is
remarkable that there was no significant change of global
health. This prospective study demonstrates short term
deterioration of functional as well as symptomatic scale
on the other side we also
wanted to seems here, the
important role of radiotherapy technologist in quality of
life of cancer patients. We thought every radiotherapy
technologist should a positive part to collect the EORTC C-
30 & EORTC H&N35 QOL questionnaire before & also at the
day of completion
EP-1854 Information Seeking Patterns of
Patients/Carers and Satisfaction with Web-based
Resources
A. Craig
1
, D. Dunne
1
, C. Gillham
2
1
Trinity College Dublin, Applied Radiation Therapy
Trinity- Discipline of Radiation Therapy, Dublin, Ireland
2
St Lukes Radiation Oncology Network, St. James Hsp.,
Dublin, Ireland
Purpose or Objective
It has been established that a substantial number of
patients and their carers use the internet to obtain
additional health-related information and several studies
have been published analysing the quality of information
available on these websites.
The aim of this research was to (1) ascertain the internet
usage and information seeking patterns of cancer patients
and their carers and (2) identify the possible characteristic
demographics of internet users. A secondary aim was to
determine if these patients and carers are satisfied with
the information available to them on a purpose designed
web-based patient information resource, ‘Website A’
which is affiliated with the Radiation Oncology Network
that they were attending
Material and Methods
A self- designed anonymous questionnaire consisting of
two sections was distributed to patients and their carers
within the three radiotherapy departments of a Radiation
Oncology Network in Ireland. Participants included
patients (n=70) and carers (n=46).
Results
A total of 116 surveys were returned, with 73% of
participants reporting daily internet usage. 52% of these
used the internet for information on general health and
67% of the participants used the internet to search for
information on their current cancer diagnosis. Of those
participants, only 12% used Website A, the website under
evaluation in this study. The remainder were unaware of
its existence. Overall, when seeking healthcare
information, participants rated medical professionals the
most useful, followed by Patient Information Leaflets.
Healthcare Information Websites were rated the third
most useful resource.
Conclusion
Despite medical professionals and information leaflets
remaining the most useful sources for patients, physicians
need to be aware that many of their patients and their
carers are using the internet for information on their
diagnosis. This should be acknowledged by recommending
quality web-based information resources to ensure that
only high quality information is accessed.
Website A offers information specifically tailored to the
treatment and support services available within the
hospitals of this network- an advantage for patients and
carers that cannot be ignored. However, Website A is as
the majority of participants were unaware of this website