ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9138-1034
Current Organisation
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-01-2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-2012
DOI: 10.5665/SLEEP.1834
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 12-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-01-2014
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 11-04-2019
DOI: 10.2196/10990
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJON.2017.03.007
Abstract: Community-based cancer organizations provide telephone-based information and support services to assist people diagnosed with cancer and their family/friends. We investigated the demographic characteristics and psychosocial support needs of family/friends who contacted Australian Cancer Council 13 11 20 information and support helplines. Data collected on 42,892 family/friends who contacted a 13 11 20 service across Australia from January 2010 to December 2012 were analyzed. Chi-square analysis was used to examine associations between caller groups and reasons for calling, logistic regression to examine age and gender interaction effects. The majority of calls received were from women (81%) of middle- (40%) and high-socio-economic backgrounds (41%), aged 40-59 years (46%) 52% phoned for information on cancer diagnosis (including early detection, risk factors), 22% on treatment/disease management, and 26% phoned seeking psychological/emotional support. Information on a diagnosis was significantly more often the reason older males called, compared to female callers of any age. Overall, 32% found out about the service through Cancer Council resources or events, 20% from the media, 18% from the internet 11% from health professionals. Family/friends of persons diagnosed with cancer have specific information and support needs. This study identifies groups of family/friends to whom the promotion of this service could be targeted. Within Australia and internationally, clinicians and oncology nurses as well as allied health professionals can provide an important role in increasing access to cancer telephone support services to ensure the needs of the family and friends of people affected by cancer are being met.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-08-2023
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2013
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 31-08-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-05-2019
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-2009
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 02-08-2018
Abstract: arers experience unique needs while caring for someone with cancer. Interventions that address carers’ needs and well-being have been developed and tested however, the use of smartphone apps to support adult carers looking after another adult with cancer has not been assessed. he objective of this study was to test the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a smartphone app, called the Carer Guide App, for carers of people with colorectal cancer. e recruited carers of people with colorectal cancer from outpatient day oncology units and provided them with access to the smartphone app for 30 days. Carers had access to video instructions and email contact details for technical support. Carers received 2 email messages per week that directed them to resources available within the app. Carers completed demographic questions at baseline and questions related to feasibility and usability at 30 days post app download. We used recruitment and attrition rates to determine feasibility and relevance of content to carers’ needs as self-reported by carers. We assessed usability through the ease of navigation and design and use of technical support or instructional videos. Acceptability was measured through self-reported usage, usage statistics provided by Google Analytics, and comments for improvement. e recruited 31% (26/85) eligible carers into the trial. Of the 26 carers, the majority were female (19, 73%), on average 57 years of age, were caring for a spouse with cancer (19, 73%), and held a university degree (19, 73%). Regarding feasibility, carers perceived the content of the Carer Guide App as relevant to the information they were seeking. Regarding usability, carers perceived the navigation and design of the app as easy to use. Of the 26 carers, 4 (15%) viewed the downloading and navigation video and 7 (27%) used the contact email address for queries and comments. Acceptability: On average, carers used the smartphone app for 22 minutes (SD 21 minutes) over the 30-day trial. Of 26 participants, 19 completed a follow-up questionnaire. Of 19 carers, 7 (37%) logged on 3 to 4 times during the 30 days and 5 (26%) logged on more than 5 times. The majority (16/19, 84%) of carers stated that they would recommend the app be available for all carers. Comments for improvement included in idualized requests for specific content. he Carer Guide App was feasible and usable among carers of people with colorectal cancer. Acceptability can be improved through the inclusion of a variety of information and resources. A randomized controlled trial is required to assess the impact of the Carer Guide App on carers’ health and well-being.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 08-05-2018
Abstract: here are few support systems available to informal carers who provide care to cancer patients. Smartphone apps have the capacity to reach large audiences and can provide information and support at a time convenient to carers. he aim of this study was to design a smartphone app prototype for carers of adults with cancer. multiple-method design was used to develop a smartphone app. Current and past carers of people with any type of cancer were recruited from a public hospital, a private hospital, and a carer organization, who participated in either a focus group or phone interview. Carers answered questions about items to include in an app to address supportive care needs identified. Using carers’ feedback, a smartphone app was designed and tested. Beta testing was conducted using a convenience s le of participants who completed scenarios to inform the app’s design, functionality, and usability. Scenarios were timed and marked as complete or incomplete. Participants completed a questionnaire about the usability of the app. Beta testing occurred in 2 stages—a paper-based version of the app and an app-based test using the participants’ preferred device. Alpha testing was completed internally to ensure the functionality of the app. Data were collected between May 2016 and August 2017. total of 33 carers participated in phone interviews and 12 in focus groups their average age was 55 (SD 14) years, and 60% (27/45) were female. The majority of carers (76%, 25/33) had a positive attitude toward using smartphone apps. Carers noted that smartphone technology might improve their ability to seek information and support in managing their own health as well as the care needs of the person with cancer. Carers requested a variety of information and resources to be included in the app. Paper-based testing included the following: participants (N=10) were aged above 30 years (30%, 3/10), 30 to 49 years (30%, 3/10), and 50 years or above (40%, 4/10), and 60% (6/10) were male. Participants found the app user-friendly and pleasing in appearance. App-based testing included the following: participants (N=10) were aged above 30 years (20%, 2/10), 30 to 49 years (30%, 3/10), and 50 years or above (50%, 5/10), and 50% (5/10) were male. Participants reported the app to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. The majority (60%, 6/10) of participants were unable to create a shortcut icon to add the app to the home screen of their phone. arers highlighted the needed information and support to assist them during the caring period they also reported having a positive attitude toward smartphone apps. The Carer Guide App is currently undergoing a pilot study to further test usability among carers of people with 1 cancer type.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-11-2020
DOI: 10.1002/CAM4.2718
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-11-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-01-2019
DOI: 10.1002/PON.4970
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 31-01-2019
DOI: 10.2196/11779
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 21-07-2009
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-05-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJCA.2015.06.129
Abstract: The aims of this analysis were to examine levels of unmet needs and depression among carers of people newly diagnosed with cancer and to identify groups who may be at higher risk, by examining relationships with demographic characteristics. One hundred and fifty dyads of people newly diagnosed with cancer and their carers, aged 18 years and older, were recruited from four Australian hospitals. People with cancer receiving adjuvant cancer treatment with curative intent, were eligible to participate. Carers completed the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Partners & Caregivers (SCNS-P&C45), and both carers and patients completed the Centre of Epidemiologic-Depression Scale (CES-D). Overall, 57% of carers reported at least one, 37% at least three, 31% at least five, and 15% at least 10 unmet needs the most commonly endorsed unmet needs were in the domains of information and health care service needs. Thirty percent of carers and 36% of patients were at risk of clinical depression. A weak to moderate positive relationship was observed between unmet needs and carer depression (r=0.30, p<0.001). Carer levels of unmet needs were significantly associated with carer age, hospital type, treatment type, cancer type, living situation, relationship status (in both uni- and multi-factor analysis) person with cancer age and carer level of education (in unifactor analysis only) but not with carer gender or patient gender (in both uni- and multi-factor analyses). Findings highlight the importance of developing tailored programmes to systematically assist carers who are supporting patients through the early stages of cancer treatment.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-12-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-03-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-10-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-04-2018
DOI: 10.1002/PON.4722
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-01-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S00520-015-3069-Y
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine how people diagnosed with cancer who call the Cancer Council Helpline in South Australia differ from carers/family/friends (caregivers) who call. Descriptive, retrospective audit of calls from people who contacted Cancer Council Helpline in South Australia between 16 April 2009 and 16 April 2013 who were diagnosed with cancer (n = 5766) or were the caregivers (n = 5174) of a person with cancer. Caregivers were more likely to be female (p < 0.001) younger in age (p < 0.001) call regarding cancer that was metastasised/widespread/advanced, terminal or at an unknown stage (p < 0.001) and phone requesting general cancer information or emotional support (p < 0.001). This group was more distressed (p < 0.001) but less likely (p = 0.02) to be offered and/or accept referrals to counselling than people diagnosed with cancer who called. Follow-up care was required by 63.5 % of caregivers and 73.1 % of people with cancer according to distress management guidelines 8.5 and 15.3 %, respectively, accepted referrals to internal services. The most frequently discussed topic for both groups was emotional sychological concerns. There were no differences in remoteness of residence or call length between groups. Caregivers represented different demographic groups than people diagnosed with cancer who called this helpline. The two groups phoned for different issues, at different stages of disease progression, displayed different levels of distress and, therefore, may benefit from services being tailored to meet their unique needs. These results also demonstrate the capacity of helplines to complement other health services and confirm that callers to cancer helplines exhibit high levels of distress.
No related grants have been discovered for Leila Heckel.