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Evaluating patient-centered care in external beam radiotherapy : a cross-sectional study in Malta

2026-09-17T11:15:45Z

Title: Evaluating patient-centered care in external beam radiotherapy : a cross-sectional study in Malta Authors: Hayden, Grech; van Dijk, Gerrit Albertus Abstract: Purpose/Objective; Patient-centered care (PCC) is key to high-quality oncology services, emphasising care that respects patients’ needs, values, and preferences while ensuring effective communication, coordinated care, and emotional support. Radiotherapy departments provide an important setting for PCC implementation due to frequent patient– healthcare provider interactions throughout treatment. However, limited research has explored PCC from patients’ perspectives on receiving external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in Malta. This study aimed to evaluate patients’ views on PCC from cancer diagnosis until the final week of EBRT treatment and to examine whether socio-demographic factors influenced perceived PCC.; Material/Methods; A prospective cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at a Maltese oncology centre. Adult patients receiving EBRT were recruited during their final week of treatment using convenience sampling. Participants completed the validated Quality of Patient-Centered Cancer Care (QPCCC) questionnaire, developed and implemented in various instances by Dr Tzelepis and her colleagues. This was completed alongside a demographic survey. The QPCCC assesses ten PCC dimensions, including respectful communication, treatment delivery, treatment decision-making, emotional support, coordinated and integrated care, timely care, follow-up care, cancer information, equitable care, and patient preferences and values. Data from 42 completed questionnaires were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29. Due to nonnormal data distribution, non-parametric tests including the Friedman test, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal–Wallis test were applied.; Results; Forty-two valid responses were analysed. Participants were predominantly aged 65–74 years, with equal representation of males and females. The highest mean ratings were reported for respectful communication (M = 4.738), treatment delivery (M = 4.378), and cancer information (M = 4.125). Lower ratings were observed for patient preferences and values (M = 3.063), timely care (M = 3.161), and coordinated and integrated care (M = 3.170). Differences between PCC dimensions were statistically significant (χ²(9) = 179.657, p < 0.001). Spearman analysis identified significant positive correlations between PCC domains, while timely care showed negative correlations with most domains, though not statistically significant. Significant differences (p-value < 0.05) were observed by sex, with females reporting higher scores for treatment decision-making (p-value = 0.039), respectful communication (p-value = 0.022), and patient preferences and values (p-value = 0.048).; Conclusion; Patients receiving EBRT in Malta generally reported positive PCC experiences, particularly in communication and treatment delivery. However, improvements are needed in addressing patient preferences, values, and shared decision-making to strengthen PCC in radiotherapy care. These findings highlight opportunities to enhance patient engagement and support development of more personalised and equitable oncology services within radiotherapy practice.

Lifestyle patterns of cancer patients during radiotherapy : a cross-sectional study from Malta

2026-09-17T11:17:55Z

Title: Lifestyle patterns of cancer patients during radiotherapy : a cross-sectional study from Malta Authors: Axisa, Jake; van Dijk, Gerrit Albertus Abstract: Purpose/Objective Lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity, hydration, sleep quality, and other health-related practices can influence treatment tolerance, recovery, and overall quality of life among cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy [1,2]. Maintaining healthy habits during treatment may help patients manage treatment-related side effects and support overall well-being [3]. Despite growing recognition of the role of lifestyle factors in cancer care, limited research has examined the lifestyle behaviours of patients actively receiving radiotherapy, particularly within smaller healthcare systems such as Malta. Assessing these behaviours is important to identify modifiable factors that may influence patient well-being and to guide supportive care strategies during treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the lifestyle behaviours of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at the national oncology centre in Malta and identify areas where lifestyle interventions may enhance patient well-being. Material/Methods A prospective cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among patients receiving external beam radiotherapy at the national oncology hospital in Malta. Lifestyle behaviours were assessed using an adapted 25-item questionnaire covering domains such as physical activity, hydration, sleep patterns, and general health behaviours, scored on a four-point Likert scale [4]. Face validity was assessed by three healthcare professionals (oncologist, general practitioner, nutritionist), yielding a content validity index of 0.86. Reliability testing showed moderate to strong correlations between corresponding items (Spearman’s rho r = 0.39– 1.00; p ≤ 0.05) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.77). Demographic and treatment site data were also collected. Results Thirty participants were included in the study. Participants demonstrated a relatively positive lifestyle profile with a mean lifestyle score of 72/100. Females (n=14) showed slightly higher average lifestyle scores compared with males (n=15). Participants aged over 65 years (n=16) reported marginally higher lifestyle scores than those younger than 65 years (n=14). Patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancers (n=3) recorded the lowest lifestyle score (69.33). Several modifiable behaviours were identified: 43.33% of participants (n=13) reported sleeping only 5–7 hours per night, 73.33% (n=22) did not perform weekly stretching exercises, and 65.52% (n=19) reported drinking less than the recommended two litres of water per day. Conclusion Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy in Malta demonstrated a moderately positive lifestyle profile, although several modifiable behaviours remain suboptimal, particularly regarding hydration, physical activity, and sleep patterns. These findings highlight the importance of assessing lifestyle behaviours during radiotherapy and suggest that integrating lifestyle education and supportive interventions into routine radiotherapy care may promote healthier habits and improve patient well-being.

Patient-reported perspectives of therapeutic radiographers when undergoing radiotherapy : a European multi-centre study

2026-08-26T10:32:08Z

Title: Patient-reported perspectives of therapeutic radiographers when undergoing radiotherapy : a European multi-centre study Authors: O'Neill, Angela G.M.; Highes, Ciara M.; McClure, Patricia; Barbosa, Barbara; Muscat, K.; Oliveira, Celeste M.; Soares, Ana Luísa; McFadden, Sonyia L. Abstract: Introduction: Radiotherapy is delivered almost exclusively by therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapist (RTTs). Patient's perspectives of RTTs affect levels of trust and confidence in the profession and can have a significant impact on overall radiotherapy experience. The study reports patients' perspectives of RTTs from their experience of undergoing radiotherapy. Four partner sites collaborated in this research and included Malta, Poland, Portugal, and the UK (lead site).; Methods: A survey was developed to gather information from patients receiving radiotherapy or who had had radiotherapy within the previous 24 months. Participants ranked their responses to 23 statements relating to person-centred care on a 5-point scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Mann–Whitney or Kruskal Wallis tests were applied to test differences in responses to 5 key statements for patient characteristics including gender, age group, diagnosis, country, time spent with RTTs and number of fractions remaining at survey completion.; Results: Three hundred and forty-seven surveys are included. Patients report a positive perception of RTTs (95.4% agree with ‘I feel cared for’). Statistically significant differences in responses were found between gender, diagnosis, country, time spent with RTTs and fractions of radiotherapy remaining. Patients who had more time with RTTs and completed their surveys during radiotherapy had a more positive perception of RTTs.; Conclusion: This study suggests that sufficient time with RTTs is key to ensuring a positive radiotherapy patient experience. RTTs being attentive, understanding, and informative are most predictive of a positive overall patient experience. Timing of survey completion can influence responses. Implications for practice. RTT education programmes should incorporate training on person-centred care at all levels. Further research into patient experience of RTTs is warranted.

Pacinian corpuscle distribution, density, and morphology of the adult human foot in health and diabetes : a scoping review

2026-07-09T10:43:41Z

Title: Pacinian corpuscle distribution, density, and morphology of the adult human foot in health and diabetes : a scoping review Authors: Albanozzo, Sarah; Lee Mifsud, Justin; Zarb, Francis; Galea-Soler, Sandro; Abela, Charlie; Bowker, Robert M.; Azzopardi, James; Papanas, Nikolaos; Formosa, Cynthia Abstract: Pacinian corpuscles (PCs) remain insufficiently investigated in diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy and associated alterations in plantar soft-tissue integrity, despite their role as fast-adapting mechanoreceptors essential for proprioception and locomotor stability. The extent to which PCs contribute to sensory impairment and foot dysfunction in these conditions remains unclear. This scoping review aimed to evaluate research on the distribution, density, and morphology of plantar PCs in the adult human foot among healthy populations and individuals with diabetes. Studies published from 1 January 2015 to 28 February 2026 were identified from 6 electronic sources. Reporting followed PRISMA guidelines, and methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. These included a case report, an experimental study, a morphometric analysis, and a combined retrospective-prospective study, each involving relatively small sample sizes. Both histological quantification and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect PCs and may support early identification of peripheral neuropathy-related sensory changes, but the evidence remains sparse. Accordingly, further research in larger, well-characterised cohorts is needed to establish reliable reference standards and to clarify changes in PC density associated with diabetic neuropathy.