Managing Cancer Cachexia: Multi-Disciplinary Healthcare Perspectives.
It is only in recent
years that researchers have
focused on healthcare professionals’
perceptions of cancer cachexia.
Qualitative research carried out in a regional
cancer center in the United Kingdom provided a
multi-professional perspective on the management
of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer.
This research revealed that cachexia is a complex and challenging
syndrome that needs to be addressed
from a holistic model of care.
Further qualitative research conducted in a major
teaching hospital in Australia indicated that
contextual features of healthcare provision could influence
professionals’ responses to the challenge of cachexia. Specifically, the
benefits of a dedicated cachexia clinic were noted.
The differences identified in the UK and Australian studies
underline the importance of conducting international research
to identify both differences in
how cachexia is understood and managed
and to also identify best practice.
In order to explore how
the care of patients with cachexia is
managed in the United States, the research reported
here was conducted with professionals
working in a major US medical practice and
research group that is
highly ranked for its cancer care.
The aim of this research was to explore the understanding and
current practices of healthcare
professionals in the US when providing care to an
individual with advanced cancer who has cachexia.
The theoretical foundations for this study
are drawn from symbolic
interactionism, a sociological
perspective with origins in pragmatism,
which builds on three main assumptions.
Therefore, a core tenant of symbolic interaction is the
inseparability of an individual and the
context within which that individual exists.
This lends itself well
to this research as it is
exploring healthcare professionals
understanding and current
practices providing care to an individual with
advanced cancer who has cachexia.
Palliat Med Hosp Care Open J. 2019; 5(1): 14-22. doi: 10.17140/PMHCOJ-5-132
