Facing serious diagnosis

لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِيضِ حَرَجࣱۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدۡخِلۡهُ جَنَّٰتࣲ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۖ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ يُعَذِّبۡهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمࣰ ا

the blind, the lame, and the sick will not be blamed.’ God will admit anyone who obeys Him and His Messenger to Gardens graced with flowing streams; He will painfully punish anyone who turns away

لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِيضِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَن تَأۡكُلُواْ مِنۢ بُيُوتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ ءَابَآئِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ إِخۡوَٰنِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَخَوَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَعۡمَٰمِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ عَمَّٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَخۡوَٰلِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ خَٰلَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكۡتُم مَّفَاتِحَهُۥٓ أَوۡ صَدِيقِكُمۡۚ لَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَأۡكُلُواْ جَمِيعًا أَوۡ أَشۡتَاتࣰ اۚ فَإِذَا دَخَلۡتُم بُيُوتࣰ ا فَسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ تَحِيَّةࣰ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَٰرَكَةࣰ طَيِّبَةࣰۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

No blame will be attached to the blind, the lame, the sick.Whether you eat in your own houses, or those of your fathers, your mothers, your brothers, your sisters, your paternal uncles, your paternal aunts, your maternal uncles, your maternal aunts, houses you have the keys for, or any of your friends’ houses, you will not be blamed: you will not be blamed whether you eat in company or separately. When you enter any house, greet one another with a greeting of blessing and goodness as enjoined by God. This is how God makes His messages clear to you so that you may understand

لِّيَجۡعَلَ مَا يُلۡقِي ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فِتۡنَةࣰ لِّلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضࣱ وَٱلۡقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ لَفِي شِقَاقِۭ بَعِيدࣲ‏

He makes Satan’s insinuations a temptation only for the sick at heart and those whose hearts are hardened- the evildoers are profoundly opposed [to the Truth]

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا قُمۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغۡسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡمَرَافِقِ وَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِرُءُوسِكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡكَعۡبَيۡنِۚ وَإِن كُنتُمۡ جُنُبࣰ ا فَٱطَّهَّرُواْۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ أَحَدࣱ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡغَآئِطِ أَوۡ لَٰمَسۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمۡ تَجِدُواْ مَآءࣰ فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدࣰ ا طَيِّبࣰ ا فَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيكُم مِّنۡهُۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجۡعَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۡ حَرَجࣲ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعۡمَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ

You who believe, when you are about to pray, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, wash your feet up to the ankles and, if required, wash your whole body. If any of you is sick or on a journey, or has just relieved himself, or had intimate contact with a woman, and can find no water, then take some clean sand and wipe your face and hands with it. God does not wish to place any burden on you: He only wishes to cleanse you and perfect His blessing on you, so that you may be thankful

إِذۡ يَقُولُ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ دِينُهُمۡۗ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمࣱ‏

The hypocrites and those who have sickness in their hearts said, ‘These people [the believers] must be deluded by their religion,’ but if anyone puts his trust in God, God is mighty and wise

لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرۡضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُواْ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۚ مَا عَلَى ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلࣲۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِيمࣱ‏

but there is no blame attached to the weak, the sick, and those who have no means to spend, provided they are true to God and His Messenger- there is no reason to reproach those who do good: God is most forgiving and merciful

There is no blame on the blind nor is there blame on the lame nor is there blame on the sick to refrain from participating in the struggle. And whoever obeys God and His Messenger He will admit him read yudkhilhu or nudkhilhu ‘We will admit him’ into gardens underneath which rivers flow; and whoever turns away him He will chastise read yu‘adhdhibhu or nu‘adhdhibhu ‘him We will chastise’ with a painful chastisement.

Say to the bedouins who lagged behind: "You shall be called to fight against a people given to great warfare, then you shall fight them, or they shall surrender. Then if you obey, Allah will give you a fair reward; but if you turn away as you did turn away before, He will punish you with a painful torment. (16)No blame or sin is there upon the blind, nor is there sin upon the lame, nor is there sin upon the sick. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and whosoever turns back, He will punish him with a painful torment (17) Allah conveys the News that there will be Many Cases of Jihad, and that Jihad distinguishes the Ranks of the Believers and exposes the Hypocrites Scholars of Tafsir differ over who the people mentioned here are. They are people experienced at warfare who will be called to fight. There are many opinions, fi

(No blame is there upon the blind�) [24:61]. Said ibn �Abbas: �When Allah, glorious and exalted is He, revealed (O ye who believe! Squander not your wealth among yourselves in vanity�) [4:29], the Muslims felt vexed to eat with the sick, the old, the blind and the lame. They said: �Food is the best part of one�s wealth, and Allah, exalted is He, has warned against squandering wealth in vanity. The blind cannot see where wholesome food is, the lame cannot compete over food and the sick cannot eat properly�. As a response, Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse�. Sa�id ibn Jubayr and al-Dahhak said: �The lame and the blind used to feel vexed at eating with healthy people because the latter found them despicable and disliked eating with them. The people of Medina did not allow the blind, lame or sick person to share their food because they considered them dirty. For this reason, Allah, e

There is no blame upon the blind nor any blame upon the lame nor any blame upon the sick that they be one’s table companions nor any blame upon yourselves if you eat from your own houses that is from the houses of your offspring or your fathers’ houses or your mothers’ houses or your brothers’ houses or your sisters’ houses or the houses of your paternal uncles or the houses of your paternal aunts or the houses of your maternal uncles or the houses of your maternal aunts or from that whereof you hold the keys from that which you safeguard on behalf of others or from those of your faithful friends sadīq is so called because he is ‘faithful’ sadaqa to you in his affection. In other words one is permitted to eat from the houses of those mentioned even if they are not present provided that they consent to it. You would not be at fault whether you eat together in a group or separately individ

O you who have faith, when you stand for the prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to your elbows.... If you find no water, have recourse to goodly dust. Outward purity has three sections: First is purity after impurity. Second is purity after excretion and sexual activity. Third is purity from the sheddings of the body, such as nails, hair, dirt, and so on. Each of these three sections has an explanation and an explication, and these will be spoken of elsewhere, God willing. Inward purity has three duties: First, purity of the limbs from disobedience, such as back- biting, lying, eating the forbidden, betrayal, and looking at women illicitly. When this purity is gained, the servant is adorned with obedience and reverence. This is the degree of the faith of the pious. Its mark is that the remembrance of the Real is always on their tongue, the fruit of the prom- ise in their heart, th

O you who believe when you stand up that is when you intend to go to pray and you are in a state of ritual impurity wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows that is including them the elbows as is clarified in the Sunna; and wipe your heads the bā’ in bi-ru’ūsikum is for ‘adherence’ that is to say wipe over the head adhering the hand closely without excessive water pouring over; the noun ra’s ‘head’ is generic and so the minimum required to fulfil the stipulation is acceptable which is the wiping of some of the hair as al-Shāfi‘ī asserts; and your feet read wa-arjulakum in the accusative as a supplement to aydīyakum; or wa-arjulikum in the genitive because of its adjacency to the genitive bi-ru’ūsikum up to the ankles that is including them the ankles as is clarified in the Sunna and they are the two protruding bones at the juncture of the legs and the feet. The interposing of the

حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَلْحَلَةَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلاَ وَصَبٍ وَلاَ هَمٍّ وَلاَ حُزْنٍ وَلاَ أَذًى وَلاَ غَمٍّ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا، إِلاَّ كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُلَيْحٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، مِنْ بَنِي عَامِرِ بْنِ لُؤَىٍّ عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ الْخَامَةِ مِنَ الزَّرْعِ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَتَتْهَا الرِّيحُ كَفَأَتْهَا، فَإِذَا اعْتَدَلَتْ تَكَفَّأُ بِالْبَلاَءِ، وَالْفَاجِرُ كَالأَرْزَةِ صَمَّاءَ مُعْتَدِلَةً حَتَّى يَقْصِمَهَا اللَّهُ إِذَا شَاءَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes." (See Hadith No. 558, Vol)

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، قال حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْفَرْوِيُّ، قال حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ غَزِيَّةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ عُمَرَ بْنِ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ لَبِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا حَمَاهُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا يَظَلُّ أَحَدُكُمْ يَحْمِي سَقِيمَهُ الْمَاءَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ صُهَيْبٍ وَأُمِّ الْمُنْذِرِ ‏.‏ وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ ‏.‏ وَقَدْ رُوِيَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ لَبِيدٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُرْسَلاً ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قال أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ أَبِي عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ عُمَرَ بْنِ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ لَبِيدٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ فِيهِ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَقَتَادَةُ بْنُ النُّعْمَانِ الظَّفَرِيُّ هُوَ أَخُو أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ لأُمِّهِ وَمَحْمُودُ بْنُ لَبِيدٍ قَدْ أَدْرَكَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَرَآهُ وَهُوَ غُلاَمٌ صَغِيرٌ ‏.‏

Qatadah bin An-Nu'man narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:"When Allah loves a slave, He prevents him from the world, just as one of you prevents his sick from water." Another chain reports a similar narration

حَدَّثَنَا عَبَّاسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الدُّورِيُّ، قال حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قال حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ أَبِي يَعْقُوبَ، عَنْ أُمِّ الْمُنْذِرِ، قَالَتْ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَعَهُ عَلِيٌّ وَلَنَا دَوَالٍ مُعَلَّقَةٌ قَالَتْ فَجَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْكُلُ وَعَلِيٌّ مَعَهُ يَأْكُلُ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِعَلِيٍّ ‏"‏ مَهْ مَهْ يَا عَلِيُّ فَإِنَّكَ نَاقِهٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَجَلَسَ عَلِيٌّ وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْكُلُ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَجَعَلْتُ لَهُمْ سِلْقًا وَشَعِيرًا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ يَا عَلِيُّ مِنْ هَذَا فَأَصِبْ فَإِنَّهُ أَوْفَقُ لَكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ فُلَيْحٍ ‏.‏ وَيُرْوَى عَنْ فُلَيْحٍ عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قال حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ، وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ، عَنْ أُمِّ الْمُنْذِرِ الأَنْصَارِيَّةِ، فِي حَدِيثِهِ قَالَتْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ يُونُسَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَنْفَعُ لَكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ أَيُّوبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ ‏.‏ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ جَيِّدٌ غَرِيبٌ ‏.‏

Umm Al-Mundhir said:"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered upon me, while `Ali was with him, and we had a cluster of unripe dates hanging." She said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) began eating, and `Ali ate with him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to `Ali: 'Stop, stop, for you are still recovering.' So `Ali sat and the Prophet (ﷺ) ate." She said: "I made some chard and barley for them, so the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O `Ali eat from this, for indeed it will be more suitable for you." Another chain reports a similar narration

قيل : هذا من أدل شيء على فقه الصحابة في أحوال القلوب وأعمالها ومعرفتهم بأدويتها وأدوائها وأنهم هم أطباء القلوب دون المنحرفين عن طريقتهم الذين داووا أمراض القلوب بأعظم أدوائها فكانوا كالمداوي من السقم بالسم القاتل وهكذا والله فعلوا بكثير من الأدوية التي ركبوها أو بأكثرها فاتفق قلة الأطباء وكثرة المرضى وحدوث أمراض مزمنة لم تكن في السلف والعدول عن الدواء النافع الذي ركبه الشارع وميل المريض إلى ما يقوي مادة المرض فاشتد البلاء وتفاقم الأمر وامتلأت الدور والطرقات والأسواق من المرضى وقام كل جهول يطبب الناس

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والقلب المريض : إن غلب عليه مرضه التحق بالميت القاسي وإن غلبت عليه صحته التحق بالسليم

وكذلك القلب المريض بالشهوة فإنه لضعفه يميل إلى ما يعرض له من ذلك بحسب قوة المرض وضعفه

فإيمان صاحب القبائح كقوة المريض على حسب قوة مرضه وضعفه

فهذه هي أجزاء إياك نعبد وإياك نستعين فإذا ركبها الطبيب اللطيف العالم بالمرض واستعملها المريض حصل بها الشفاء التام وما نقص من الشفاء فهو لفوات جزء من أجزائها أو اثنين أو أكثر

Breaking bad news to patients with cancer: A randomized control trial of a brief communication skills training module incorporating the stories and preferences of actual patients.: Objective: This study tested the effectiveness of a brief, learner-centered, breaking bad news (BBN) communication skills training module using objective evaluation measures. Methods: This randomized control study (N=66) compared intervention and control groups of students (n=28) and residents' (n=38) objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) performance of communication skills using Common Ground Assessment and Breaking Bad News measures. Results: Follow-up performance scores of interven

Individual training at the undergraduate level to promote competence in breaking bad news in oncology.: Objective: Training medical students in breaking bad news (BBN) in oncology may be key to improve patient care in an area where many physicians tend to be uncomfortable. Given the lack of evidence in the literature, this study aimed to assess empirically the impact of 2 teaching strategies to prepare students for the task of BBN in oncology: one-to-one simulated patient (SP) training with individual feedback (intervention group) vs small-group SP training with collective feedback (comparison gro

Factors that influence cancer patients' and relatives' anxiety following a three-person medical consultation: impact of a communication skills training program for physicians.: Background: No study has yet assessed the impact of physicians' skills acquisition after a communication skills training program on changes in patients' and relatives' anxiety following a three-person medical consultation. This study aimed at comparing, in a randomized study, the impact, on patients' and relatives' anxiety, of a basic communication skills training program and the same program consolidated by consolidation workshops and at investigating physicians' communication variables associa

The use of simulation in medical student education on the topic of breaking bad news: A systematic review.: Background: Simulated patients (SPs) are widely used, but the most effective way of utilising them in undergraduate breaking bad news (BBN) medical education is unknown. Objectives: To conduct a systematic review into SP's use in developing BBN skills in medical students. Methods: 14 databases searched with the terms "Medical education", "Patient simulation", "Bad news". Data was systematically extracted, and thematic analysis undertaken. Results: Of 2117 articles screened, 29 publications met t

Is it possible to improve the breaking bad news skills of residents when a relative is present? A randomised study.: Background: Although patients with cancer are often accompanied by a relative during breaking bad news (BBN) consultations, little is known regarding the efficacy of training programmes designed to teach residents the communication skills needed to break bad news in a triadic consultation. Methods: Residents were randomly assigned to a 40-h dyadic and triadic communication skills training programme (n=48) or a waiting list (n=47). A simulated BBN triadic consultation was audiotaped at baseline,

The effect of communication skills training on residents' physiological arousal in a breaking bad news simulated task.: Objective: Breaking bad news (BBN) is a complex task which involves dealing cognitively with different relevant dimensions and a challenging task which involves dealing with intense emotional contents. No study however has yet assessed in a randomized controlled trial design the effect of a communication skills training on residents' physiological arousal during a BBN task. Methods: Residents' physiological arousal was measured, in a randomized controlled trial design, by heart rate and salivary

Challenges for health care providers, parents and patients who face a child hood cancer diagnosis in Zambia.

Background: Zambia is experiencing high prevalence of childhood cancer. However, very few children access and complete treatment for cancer. This study aimed to document the challenges for health care providers, parents and patients who face a child hood cancer diagnosis in Zambia, and their coping strategies. Methods: This was an exploratory health facility-based qualitative study that was conducted at a Paediatric oncology ward at referral hospital in Zambia. In-depth individual interviews conducted with fifteen (15) caregivers and seven (7) key informants were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Several challenges related to managing the childhood cancer diagnosis were recorded. Individual and family challenges were inadequate knowledge on childhood cancer, lack of finances to meet treatment and transport costs as well as long period of hospitalisation that affected women's abi…

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The Lifestyle Change Experiences of Cancer Survivors.

Background: Leading a healthy lifestyle not only alleviates the physical problems but also improves the quality of life of cancer survivors. Healthcare professionals should understand the benefits of altering lifestyle behaviors to provide effective intervention programs to assist cancer survivors to improve their health. Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of cancer survivors in changing their lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted on 13 cancer survivors who were sampled purposively from a regional teaching hospital in central Taiwan. Data were collected using in-depth interviews that were guided by semistructured, open-ended questions and analyzed using content analysis. Results: The analysis of interview data revealed four main themes: motivation of lifestyle change, exploring ways toward a healthy lifest…

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Validation and application of the Chinese version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) among parents of children with cancer diagnosis.

Purpose: Parents of children diagnosed with cancer often experience considerable emotional distress for their children with negative emotions, such as disbelief, depression, anxiety, hope and shock. Resilience is defined as the psychological characteristics that promote positive adaptation in the face of stress and adversity, which has been demonstrated to relate to positive coping and less psychological distress. Thus, a quick screening tool to evaluate the levels of resilience of parents with cancer-diagnosed children is urgently required. Methods: The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the CD-RISC-10 using a sample size of 500 parents. Velicer's Minimum Average Partial (MAP) Test and a parallel analysis were also supplemented to confirm the EFA-derived structure of the scale. The participants were given the 10-item Kessler Ps…

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Empowerment in adolescents and young adults with cancer: Relationship with health-related quality of life.

Background: The difficulties adolescents and young adults (AYAs) encounter during a cancer experience may result in a reduction in or absence of empowerment. The aims of the current study were to assess levels of empowerment and associated (demographic, clinical, or psychological) factors and examine the association between empowerment and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among AYA patients with cancer. Methods: Patients aged 18 to 35 years at time of cancer diagnosis and who were seen by 1 of the members of the specialized multidisciplinary AYA team of the Radboud University Medical Center were invited to complete questionnaires regarding empowerment; HRQOL; and sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics (autonomy, coping, unmet social support needs, and psychological distress). Results: A total of 83 AYA patients completed the questionnaires. The mean age of th…

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The relationship between physical and psychological symptoms and health care utilization in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer.

Background: Patients with advanced cancer often experience frequent and prolonged hospitalizations; however, the factors associated with greater health care utilization have not been described. We sought to investigate the relation between patients' physical and psychological symptom burden and health care utilization. Methods: We enrolled patients with advanced cancer and unplanned hospitalizations from September 2014-May 2016. Upon admission, we assessed physical (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]) and psychological symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire 4 [PHQ-4]). We examined the relationship between symptom burden and healthcare utilization using linear regression for hospital length of stay (LOS) and Cox regression for time to first unplanned readmission within 90 days. We adjusted all models for age, sex, marital status, comorbidity, education, time since advanced cancer d…

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Increasing the frequency of physical activity very brief advice for cancer patients. Development of an intervention using the behaviour change wheel.

Background: Being physically active has multiple benefits for cancer patients. Despite this only 23% are active to the national recommendations and 31% are completely inactive. A cancer diagnosis offers a teachable moment in which patients might be more receptive to lifestyle changes. Nurses are well placed to offer physical activity advice, however, only 9% of UK nurses involved in cancer care talk to all cancer patients about physical activity. A change in the behaviour of nurses is needed to routinely deliver physical activity advice to cancer patients. As recommended by the Medical Research Council, behavioural change interventions should be evidenced-based and use a relevant and coherent theoretical framework to stand the best chance of success. Objective: This paper presents a case study on the development of an intervention to improve the frequency of delivery of very brief advice…

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'I'll be in a safe place': a qualitative study of the decisions taken by people with advanced cancer to seek emergency department care.

Objective: To explore the decisions of people with advanced cancer and their caregivers to seek emergency department (ED) care, and understand the issues that influence the decision-making process. Design: Cross-sectional qualitative study incorporating semistructured patient and caregiver interviews. Methods: Between December 2014 and July 2015, semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 people with advanced cancer, all of whom had recently attended the ED of a large university teaching hospital located in south-east London; and six of their caregivers. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a constant comparative approach. Padgett and Brodsky's modified version of the 'Behavioral Model of Health Services Use' was used as a framework to guide the study. Results: Issues influencing the decision-making process included: (1) disease-related anxiety-th…

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Mothers and fathers coping with their children's cancer: Individual and interpersonal processes.

Objective: To examine individual and interpersonal processes of coping and emotional distress in a sample of mothers and fathers of children with recently diagnosed cancer. Method: A sample of 317 mothers and 166 fathers of 334 children were recruited near the time of the child's cancer diagnosis or relapse (M = 1.4 months, SD = 1.2). Mothers and fathers completed standardized measures of coping and depressive symptoms. Results: Analyses of individual coping responses revealed that, for both mothers and fathers, primary control coping (e.g., problem solving, emotional modulation) and secondary control coping (e.g., acceptance, cognitive reappraisal) were associated with lower depressive symptoms. Interpersonal analyses of coping and distress indicated that mothers' and fathers' coping as well as depressive symptoms were significantly correlated. Actor-partner interdependence model analys…

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Investigating the optimal size of anticancer nanomedicine.

Nanomedicines (NMs) offer new solutions for cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, extension of progression-free interval and overall survival time achieved by Food and Drug Administration-approved NMs remain modest. To develop next generation NMs to achieve superior anticancer activities, it is crucial to investigate and understand the correlation between the physicochemical properties of NMs (particle size in particular) and their interactions with biological systems to establish criteria for NM optimization. Here, we systematically evaluated the size-dependent biological profiles of three monodisperse drug-silica nanoconjugates (NCs; 20, 50, and 200 nm) through both experiments and mathematical modeling and aimed to identify the optimal size for the most effective anticancer drug delivery. Among the three NCs investigated, the 50-nm NC shows the highest tumor tissue retention integrat…

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Post-traumatic growth among an ethnically diverse sample of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Objective: Although some survivors of childhood cancer report significant psychosocial distress, many also report having derived benefits, or post-traumatic growth (PTG), from their cancer experience. This study examines PTG and its correlates among an ethnically diverse sample of adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer survivors who have recently completed treatment. Methods: Survivors of childhood cancer (n = 94; 47% Hispanic), ages 11-21 and within 6 months of completing cancer therapy, were recruited from three pediatric cancer centers. Participants completed a structured interview that assessed demographics, PTG, post-traumatic stress symptoms, health-related quality of life, optimism, and depressive symptoms. Diagnosis/treatment information was collected from each patient's medical record. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify significant correlates of PTG. Results: The ma…

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Psychosocial service use and unmet need among recently diagnosed adolescent and young adult cancer patients.

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer demonstrate biomedical risks and psychosocial issues distinct from those of children or older adults. In this study, the authors examined and compared the extent to which AYAs treated in pediatric or adult oncology settings reported use of, and unmet need for, psychosocial support services. Methods: Within 4 months of initial cancer diagnosis, 215 AYAs ages 14 to 39 years (99 from pediatric care settings and 116 from adult care settings; 75% response rate) were assessed for reporting use of information resources, emotional support services, and practical support services. Statistical analyses derived odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for service use and unmet needs after controlling for race, employment/school status, sex, relationship status, severity of cancer, treatment, and treatment-related side effects. Results: AYA…

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Association between adverse childhood experiences and diagnosis of cancer.

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to multiple adverse health outcomes. This study examined the association between ACEs and cancer diagnosis. Methods: Data from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey were used. The BRFSS is the largest ongoing telephone health survey, conducted in all US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and provides data on a variety of health issues among the non-institutionalized adult population. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to derive components for ACEs. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to provide adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between ACE components and overall, childhood and adulthood cancer, adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, educational status, mar…

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Promoting positive change in the face of adversity: experiences of cancer and post-traumatic growth.

The increasing population of cancer survivors underscores the need to develop a complete understanding of the survivorship experience, including positive aspects. The aim of this study was to explore people's experiences of cancer to assess the relevance of the post-traumatic growth (PTG) construct and to identify potentially modifiable factors that may promote PTG. Group interviews were conducted with 15 people (eight men, seven women) aged between 36 and 85 who had been diagnosed with cancer and completed treatment. Participants identified that while a cancer diagnosis is a traumatic event and has an immense impact, there is potential for PTG. Participants described examples of positive change within their relationships, perceptions of self and life in general perception, and spirituality. Various modifiable factors were identified as enabling participants to experience growth includin…

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Longitudinal patterns of psychological distress in adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Background: This study investigated longitudinal patterns of psychological distress in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods: Participants included 4569 adult survivors in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Cohort (CCSS) who completed the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 on three occasions between 1994 and 2010. Longitudinal latent class analysis was used to identify discrete classes of psychological distress. Predictors of class membership were examined through logistic regression modelling with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. Results: Survivors were a median of 39 years of age and 30 years from diagnosis at the most recent follow-up. Most survivors reported few or no symptoms of distress over time, although subsets of survivors reported persistently elevated (depression: 8.9%; anxiety: 4.8%; somatisation: 7.2%) or significant increases in distress sympt…

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Associations between cancer-related financial stress and strain and psychological well-being among individuals living with cancer.

Background: Cancer places a financial and economic burden on individuals, but relatively little is known about the consequences. We investigated associations between cancer-related financial stress and strain and psychological well-being. Methods: Individuals >6 months post-diagnosis with breast, prostate and lung cancer, identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland, completed a postal questionnaire. Financial stress was assessed by the impact of the cancer diagnosis on household ability to make ends meet, financial strain by feelings about household financial situation since the cancer diagnosis and psychological well-being (depression, anxiety and distress) by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. Logistic regression was used to identify associations between financial stress and strain and depression, anxiety and distress of (a) any severity and (b) severe or worse. Results:…

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Rural-urban disparities in health status among US cancer survivors.

Background: Although rural residents are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced cancers and to die of cancer, little is known about rural-urban disparities in self-reported health among survivors. Methods: The authors identified adults who had a self-reported history of cancer from the National Health Interview Survey (2006-2010). Rural-urban residence was defined using US Census definitions. Logistic regression with weighting to account for complex sampling was used to assess rural-urban differences in health status after accounting for differences in demographic characteristics. Results: Of the 7804 identified cancer survivors, 20.8% were rural residents. This translated to a population of 2.8 million rural cancer survivors in the United States. Rural survivors were more likely than urban survivors to be non-Hispanic white (P < .001), to have less education (P < .001), and to l…

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Anxiety and depression after cancer diagnosis: prevalence rates by cancer type, gender, and age.

Background: Reported prevalence of emotional distress in cancer patients varies widely across studies. The present study determined prevalence of anxiety and depression (separated for presence of symptoms versus clinical levels) in a large, representative sample of cancer patients after diagnosis. Method: During the years 2004-2009, 10,153 consecutive patients were routinely screened with the Psychosocial Screen for Cancer questionnaire at two major cancer centers. Results: Patients' mean age was 59 years and 45% were men. Across cancer types, 19.0% of patients showed clinical levels of anxiety and another 22.6% had subclinical symptoms. Further, 12.9% of patients reported clinical symptoms of depression and an additional 16.5% described subclinical symptoms. Analyses by cancer type revealed significant differences such that patients with lung, gynecological, or hematological cancer repo…

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The unmet needs of emerging adults with a cancer diagnosis: a qualitative study.

Background: Emerging adulthood is the life stage between adolescence and young adulthood, and it has been associated with several important developmental milestones. A cancer diagnosis has the potential to disrupt the normal achievement of these milestones. Many psychosocial themes relevant to emerging adults living with cancer have been identified, but there has been only limited research into the needs of this group. Objective: The present study seeks to contribute to this limited research base and inform our understanding of the needs of emerging adults with a diagnosis of cancer from a developmental perspective that appreciates the key transitional tasks of emerging adulthood. Methods: This needs-based qualitative study was conducted with 14 young people with a diagnosis of cancer, aged 20 to 25 years. Nine participated in a focus group, and the remaining 5 participated in 1-on-1 tel…

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Understanding the health impact of caregiving: a qualitative study of immigrant parents and single parents of children with cancer.

Purpose: Research looking at the health of parents of children with cancer typically uses outcome measures focused on symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. Our team builds on this literature to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the health impact of caregiving. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 79 Canadian parents of children with cancer at least 6 months post-diagnosis. Line-by-line coding was used to establish categories and themes. Constant comparison was used to examine relationships within and across codes and categories. Interviewing continued until no new themes emerged. Results: Parents described health concerns as including sleep disturbance, daytime fatigue, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and changes in social roles. Parents described the positive impacts of caregiving as including gaining a greater appreciation for child and family…

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Religiosity, spirituality, and cancer fatalism beliefs on delay in breast cancer diagnosis in African American women.

African American women are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to present with a later stage of breast cancer at initial diagnosis. Delay in breast cancer detection is a critical factor in diagnosis at a later stage. Available data indicate a delay of 3 months or more is a significant factor in breast cancer mortalty. Numerous factors have been reported as contributing to delay in time to seek medical care including religiosity, spirituality, and fatalistic beliefs. This study examined the influence of religiosity, spirituality, and cancer fatalism on delay in diagnosis and breast cancer stage in African American women with self-detected breast symptoms. A descriptive correlation, retrospective methodology using an open-ended questionnaire and three validated measurement scales were used: the Religious Problem Solving Scale (RPSS), the Religious Coping Activity Scale (RCAS)…

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Parents' perceptions of their children's cancer-related symptoms during treatment: a prospective, longitudinal study.

Context: This article describes a comprehensive assessment of treatment-related symptoms in children aged 0-18 years undergoing cancer treatment from the perspective of their parents. Objectives: The aim was to describe which symptoms that, according to parents, cause most problems for children receiving cancer treatment and to explore whether there is a relationship between parents' ratings of their children's symptoms and their own post-traumatic stress at one week (T1), two months (T2), and four months (T3) after a child's cancer diagnosis. Methods: In total, 214 parents (107 mothers and 107 fathers) of 115 children answered a modified version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 10-18 and the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version over the telephone at T1-T3. Results: According to parents, the following symptom areas cause the most problems for children undergoing cancer treatment: emot…

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Life after cancer: couples' and partners' psychological adjustment and supportive care needs.

Goals of work: Partners of cancer patients may experience significant distress at the time of treatment and many may experience persistent difficulties, although little research has examined their longer term psychosocial outcomes or supportive care needs. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty-four cancer survivors who were 1-11 years post diagnosis and disease-free and their partners completed mailed questionnaires. Main results: A positive relationship was found between psychological distress and supportive care needs both within and between partner and survivor samples. Partners reported high levels of anxiety and supportive care needs, most frequently concerning relationships and the impact of the cancer illness. Partners within couples reported both shared and unique needs, although agreement on ratings of shared needs was low. Needs did not diminish over time although partne…

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Psychiatric disorders and mental health service use among caregivers of advanced cancer patients.

Purpose: Despite research demonstrating the psychological burden of caregiving for advanced cancer patients, limited information exists on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and mental health service use among these informal caregivers. Methods: Two hundred informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients were interviewed and administered the Structured Clinical Interview of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition and an assessment of mental health service use. Results: Thirteen percent of caregivers met criteria for a psychiatric disorder; 25% accessed treatment for mental health concerns since the patient's cancer diagnosis. The frequencies of current psychiatric disorders were as follows: panic disorder, 8.0% (95% CI, 4.6% to 12.7%), major depressive disorder, 4.5% (95% CI, 2.1% to 8.4%), post-traumatic stress disorder, 4.0% (95% CI, 1.7% to 7.7%),…

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Interval between palliative care referral and death among patients treated at a comprehensive cancer center.

In recent years, patients with advanced cancer are referred more frequently to palliative care programs. However, the referrals usually occur relatively late for the management of severe physical and psychological distress. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the interval between palliative care referral and death in patients with advanced cancer. We reviewed charts of 240 consecutive patients with advanced cancer referred to the palliative care program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between September and December 2003. Demographics, as well as dates of cancer diagnosis, advanced disease diagnosis, palliative care referral, and death were determined. The median age was 61 years old, 173 were male, 304 patients had solid tumors, and 26 had hematologic malignancies. The median time intervals between the diagnosis of the primary cancer and death, diagnosis of advanced…

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Cultural competency in healthcare: learning across boundaries.

During 2006-2007, 1 was fortunate to study and work as a Fulbright Scholar at the Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Children's Hospital, Boston. As part of my Fulbright experience in the United States, 1 collaboratively developed a cross-cultural educational experience between the faculty of the Institute of Professionalism and Ethical Practice and of the Chair of Medical Psychology, San Paolo Hospital, Milan to explore how patient-centered care is interpreted and enacted across cultures. Both groups wrote a patient-centered dialogue based on the same clinical scenario. Dialogues were exchanged and each group commented on the other's dialogue during a videoconference. Both groups identified responding to the patient's illness experience and emotions as central to patient-centeredness, while patient autonomy was understood differently. Constructing an ideal patient-cente…

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