title: Flyer to improve self-management of symptoms for patients with cancer – Evaluation of feasibility and comprehensibility of the Symptom Navi
abstract: Background: Short informations with graphic elements may support self management of symptoms. Enhancing self-management is a key element of cancer care. Since 2011 different organisations have been developing patient education handouts, the so called symptom navi with three different graphical variants and slightly different text. Aim: To lay ground for a Swiss-wide standard of the symptom navi, we evaluated (a) the utility of the sheets and (b) the preference for the graphical layout and c) complexity of provided text with patients, their relatives, and health professionals. Methods: We conducted three focus groups with 14 patients and one relative, and an online-survey with 16 health professionals. Descriptive data analysis were combined with thematic analysis of qualitative data. Results: Overall, the symptom navi were well received by patients and health professionals. All participants welcomed the conciseness of information and requested information was easy to find. The structure of the symptom navi supported the readability and facilitated the self-assessment of a patients’ condition. Smileys to support the evaluation of symptom burden was the most favoured graphic layout. For patients, the graduation of the severity of symptoms with different colours supported their feelings of safety. However, symptom navi do not substitute personal contact and counselling. Conclusions: The most favoured graphical layout will now be further developed and refined. A future evaluation will investigate the content validity of the symptom navi.
authors.affiliation: 1 Lindenhofgruppe, Bern, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kropf-Staub
authors.affiliation: 2 Fachhochschule für Gesundheit, Freiburg HES-SO, Fribourg, Schweiz.|3 Institut Universitaire de Formation et de Recherche en Soins, Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine, Université de Lausanne, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sailer Schramm
authors.affiliation: 4 Zürcher Fachhochschule für Gesundheit, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Preusse-Bleuer
authors.affiliation: 2 Fachhochschule für Gesundheit, Freiburg HES-SO, Fribourg, Schweiz.|3 Institut Universitaire de Formation et de Recherche en Soins, Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine, Université de Lausanne, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eicher
authors.affiliation: 1 Lindenhofgruppe, Bern, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Sabin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zürcher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003196:Computer Graphics; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D063189:Symptom Assessment
keywords: Onkologiepflege; Patientenedukation; Symptommanagement; oncology care; patient education handout; self-care