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May 2010
Dr Jane Walker presents at RSM conference
Dr Walker spoke about 'SMaRT Oncology-3. Depression management in lung cancer: Issues conducting an RCT' at the conference on 'Managing mental disorders in advanced disease'. The conference was attended by clinicians and researchers from psychiatry and palliative care, and was hosted by the Royal Society of Medicine's psychiatry section and the COMPASS and CECo supportive and palliative care collaboratives.
PMR Training Day at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre
PMR staff from both the Edinburgh and Glasgow sites came together at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre on 14th May for one of our major 2010 training days. The day was about personality and personality disorders. There was also a team building exercise in Edinburgh city centre.
PODS completes recruitment
The persistence of distress study (PODS) has now completed recruitment. This prospective cohort study aims to determine whether cancer patients who have been found to have a high level of distress when assessed by the SMS in the cancer clinic, remain distressed over time. 329 patients have been recruited from clinics at the Glasgow and Edinburgh Cancer Centres and will be followed up for 6 months.
Date announced for the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Compass Collaborative
Compass is a UK National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) research collaborative between the University of Edinburgh, Kings College, London, and the University of Leeds for supportive and palliative care research. Next year's Annual Scientific meeting has now been scheduled and will take place on 14-15 April 2011 at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh.
April 2010
PACE Trial completes one year follow up
This large-scale trial is the first in the world to test and compare the effectiveness of four of the main treatments currently available for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Data collection for the one year follow up has now been completed. The trial data is currently being analysed in preparation for publication of the findings. Further information regarding publication will be posted on the PACE trial website when available. For more information please visit the website on
www.pacetrial.org
March 2010
Symptom Monitoring Service now operating in six regions in Scotland
With the addition of a Symptom Monitoring Service (SMS) to Ninewells hospital in Tayside, and selected cancer clinics throughout the region, the SMS team are now operating in six NHS boards across Scotland. Other regions include Lothian, Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley and Fife.
SMaRT Oncology-2 now half way through recruitment
Another milestone has been reached in the SMaRT Oncology-2 trial. With the 250th patient recruited to the trial we are now half way towards the recruitment target for this study.
PMR publishes 3 new papers
A paper titled, "The problems reported by cancer patients with major depression" was published this month in Psycho-Oncology. This paper describes the problems reported by 98 patients with cancer and major depression at the start of their treatment 'Depression care for people with cancer'. It was concluded that patients with cancer and depression report a wide variety of problems that include, but go beyond, concerns about cancer and depression. Particularly notable were the concerns about other people's well-being and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
Further details of this article can be found at the Wiley InterScience website.
Other papers published this month include,
- "Screening for suicidality in cancer patients using Item 9 of the nine-item patient health questionnaire; does the item score predict who requires further assessment?", General Hospital Psychiatry
- "Patient and general practitioner preferences for the treatment of depression in patients with cancer: how, who, and where?", Journal of Psychosomatic Research
For further details of these and other recent publications by the group, please see our
Publications page.
February 2010
Symptom Monitoring Service extended to Lanarkshire
The CRUK funded Symptom Monitoring Service (SMS) has now been introduced in a number of cancer clinics in hospitals across Lanarkshire
Nurses nominated for University achievement award
Two of the treatment nurses in PMR have been nominated for a University of Edinburgh Contribution award for their outstanding efforts in covering an exceptionally large caseload of patients during the summer months in 2009. Both Fiona Murdoch and Lorraine Petrie took on a large number of extra patients across central Scotland when we were very short staffed. We are glad to be able to officially recognise their exceptional effort and dedication during that period.
January 2010
SMaRT Oncology-3 Recruits 40th Patient
The SMaRT Oncology-3 efficacy trial of depression care for people with lung cancer has now recruited its 40th patient. Following expansion in the clinical depression screening service to hospitals in the surrounding areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh there has been increasing numbers of patients recruited into the trial. The pace of recruitment is set to increase further as new areas such as Lanarkshire and Tayside take part in depression screening via our Symptom Monitoring Service.
December 2009
Quality of Life Masterclass
Professor Neil Aaronson from the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam visited PMR on Thursday the 10th of December to run a masterclass on quality of life research issues. Professor Aaronson spoke about current health related quality of life assessments in daily clinical oncology practice and discussed future directions. He was joined at the masterclass by Dr Gerry Richardson from the Health Economics department of the University of York. Dr Richardson led discussion of the measurement of quality of life for the purpose of cost-effectiveness analysis. The masterclass was attended by all PMR staff as well as clinical oncologists, clinical psychologists and statisticians.
November 2009
SMaRT Oncology-2 Recruits 200th Patient
The SMaRT Oncology-2 effectiveness trial of depression care for people with cancer has now recruited its 200th patient. Following expansion in the clinical depression screening service to hospitals in the surrounding areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh there has been increases in the number of patients recruited into the trial. Further expansion of the Symptom Monitoring Service is planned over the next few months which should result in an even greater rate of recruitment into the trial.
October 2009
Professor Michael Sharpe announced as Academic Psychiatrist of the Year
Academic Psychiatrist of the Year
Professor Michael Sharpe was announced as Academic Psychiatrist of the Year at the 2009 Royal College of Psychiatrists inaugural awards ceremony on 6th October. Professor Sharpe attended the awards ceremony in London where he received a commemorative plaque. The College particularly praised his work in improving psychological care for people with medical disorders.
More Info...
Dr Jane Walker Presents at National Cancer Conference
NCRI Conference
Dr Jane Walker, research fellow with PMR, presented at the NCRI (National Cancer Research Institute) Cancer Conference on 5th October. Dr Walker presented work on the quality assurance procedures in place in the SMaRT trials to ensure that the treatment given is the treatment intended and the implications of this for clinical practice. Various methods were discussed, including standardised training, competency assessments, regular supervision and ratings of video-recorded treatment sessions as well as discussion of the feasibility of such procedures in clinical practice.
September 2009
New Symptom Monitoring Service for Fife and Falkirk
The Symptom Monitoring Service (SMS) has started to screen patients attending selected cancer clinics in Fife and Falkirk. This is the first time these new cancer clinics have had this clinical service and it is hoped it will help clinicians in these areas to identify problematic symptoms, such as pain and depression, in their patients.
Danish Research Fellow Visits PMR
Danish Research Fellow
A research fellow in psychiatry, Andreas Bak Schroder from the University of Aarhus in Denmark, visited PMR this month to discuss his work. Dr Schroder works in the research clinic for functional disorders and psychosomatics in Aarhus and has recently completed a trial of a cognitive and behavioural-based group intervention for patients with symptoms of bodily distress.
August 2009
PMR Training Day at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
PMR staff from both the Edinburgh and Glasgow sites came together at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre on 13th August for the second of our three major 2009 training days. Cancer specialists from the Beatson gave talks on different cancer types and their treatment as well as describing research studies and trials currently being carried out at the West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
July 2009
PIG Transplants Talk Coming Soon
PIG
The next Psychological Medicine Interest Group (PIG) meeting is on the 7th September at 5.30pm in auditorium B (small lecture theatre) of the Chancellor's Building at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Refreshments will be served at 5.30pm and there will then be a talk and interactive discussion from 6pm to 7pm. The talk is entitled "Psychosocial factors in transplantation: allocating organs, accepting donors" and the key speakers are Dr Steve Potts, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, and Mr Murat Akyol, Consultant Transplant Surgeon. All interested health professionals or students are welcome.
Symptom Experience Study (SES) Begins
A new qualitative study – the Symptom Experience Study (SES) - has begun and aims to explore cancer patient's experience of distress. This study is a sister study to the Persistence of Distress Study (PODS) to see what type of treatment they would prefer if any. It is planned to interview around 20 patients who have been found to be emotionally distressed but who do not meet criteria for major depression.
June 2009
What is "Depression Care for People with Cancer"?
"Depression Care for People with Cancer" is the model of depression care being tested in the SMaRT Oncology trials. In a recent paper accepted for publication in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry, Dr Jane Walker and Professor Michael Sharpe have outlined both the design and delivery of this model.
May 2009
Persistence of Distress Study (PODS) soon to commence
A new observational study led by Dr Annet Kleiboer is due to commence this month. This study focuses on cancer patients who are scoring high on distress in the clinics but are not suffering a major depressive episode. The study aims to measure patient's level of distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms) over a period of 6 months. The study will follow patients attending both the Edinburgh and Glasgow Cancer Centres.
April 2009
White coat hypertension is a well-known phenomenon whereby a patient’s blood-pressure readings are artificially raised when attending the doctor’s clinic but otherwise their blood-pressure is normal.
Distress – not just a doctor’s appointment phenomenon
An audit of the distress screening of the Symptom Monitoring Service at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre led by Dr Parvez Thekkumpurath has been successfully completed. Patients who were high on the HADS distress measure in clinic were asked to repeat this measure approximately 2 weeks later during their routine follow-up telephone call at home. The results of the audit show that distress in patients attending the cancer clinics usually persists and is not merely the result of transient worry about their appointment. We are now working on developing a treatment for this distress.
March 2009
SMaRT Study Protocol Published
Dr Jane Walker, along with Professors Michael Sharpe and Jim Cassidy, have published the SMaRT Oncology-2 Trial Study protocol in the journal "Trials". SMaRT Oncology-2 is a randomised trial to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of adding a complex intervention for major depressive disorder to usual care for cancer patients. The Study protocol paper outlines the background, design, procedures and hypotheses of the trial. It can be read in full at:
http://www.trialsjournal.com/content/10/1/18
New Oncologist Adviser to PMR
Consultant Oncologist Dr Charlie Gourley of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre has joined PMR as an advisor in relation to its clinical research with cancer patients. He joins his colleague Dr Lucy Wall in this role, who has been advising PMR in oncology matters for some time. Dr Gourley conducts research in ovarian cancer genetics and translational research and we look forward to his continuing assistance in our own clinical research. Details of his own research can be found at: http://www.ecrc.ed.ac.uk/groups/studys.asp?studyID=12
February 2009
Visit from Professor Wayne Katon
Professor Wayne Katon visited PMR in February and delivered key training to staff on the principles of Collaborative Care. Professor Katon is a world-leader in the development and use of Collaborative Care and is based at the University of Washington in Seattle. Collaborative Care is a model for organising healthcare delivery while integrating specialty knowledge and treatment into primary care and is an essential component of the complex intervention tested in the SMaRT Oncology trials.
New Appointment for the SMHRN
Mark Hazelwood is the new Associate Director for Operations at the Scottish Mental Health Research Network (SMHRN). Mr Hazelwood begins his post this month and we look forward to working closely with him in relation to our current research.
January 2009
PIG promotes interest in Psychological Medicine
PIG
The PIG in question is the
Psychological medicine
Interest
Group which has been running since March 2008 and is part funded by the American Psychosomatic Society to promote interest in Psychological Medicine. Past events include special lectures by Consultant Neurologist Jon Stone on hysteria and by Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist Roger Smyth on working in liaison psychiatry. Look out for upcoming PIG meetings and special lectures, which will be advertised on this site.
New Lecturer in Psychological Medicine Appointed
Dr Neelom Sharma has been newly appointed as lecturer in Psychological Medicine. Dr Sharma is currently a senior Specialty Registrar working in liaison psychiatry at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
COMPASS Masterclasses Announced
The COMPASS Collaborative in Edinburgh are hosting a series of research masterclasses for academics, researchers, clinicians and policy makers interested in Complex Interventions and the MRC Framework. The series will include seminars, workshops and group discussions, and cover topics such as design, evaluation, funding, statistics, health-economics and publication.
Three upcoming masterclasses have now been confirmed, for more details click here
December 2008
SMaRT Oncology-3 Trial now recruiting in both Glasgow and Edinburgh
The SMaRT Oncology-3 Trial is now recruiting patients attending the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and their associated clinics. For more information click here
PACE Trial Finishes Recruiting
The UK wide MRC PACE trial, of which Edinburgh was a centre, closed for enrolments in December having successfully recruited to its target (613 patients). Follow up is now taking place. Results will be available in 2010 www.pacetrial.org
November 2008
PMR Charity Ball
PMR Charity Ball
PMR held their annual charity ball at Craighouse in Edinburgh on 14th November. All the proceeds from the night (more than £600) were donated to Cancer Research UK. We are very grateful to everyone who attended as well as to the local businesses who contributed generously with raffle prizes.
October 2008
Paper published in Journal of Clinical Oncology
The paper titled "Better off dead: suicidal thoughts in cancer patients" was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on 10th October 2008. The study involved a survey of consecutive patients attending the outpatient clinics of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and data were obtained from nearly three thousand patients. 7.8% reported having thoughts that they would be 'better off dead or of hurting themselves in some way' in the past 2 weeks. Having these thoughts was found to be strongly associated with also having pain and emotional distress. The paper concluded that the identification and treatment of emotional distress and pain should be a central aspect of cancer care. PMR Publications
September 2008
Lecturer awarded Clinical Research Fellowship with Cancer Research UK
Dr Jane Walker, previously a lecturer in Psychological Medicine in PMR, has been awarded a prestigious Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology by Cancer Research UK. Dr Walker is taking a lead role in the SMaRT Oncology-3 Trial.
August 2008
Race for Life
SMaRT oncology-1 Trial published in The Lancet
The SMaRT Oncology-1 trial was published in The Lancet on 3rd July 2008. The trial recruited 200 patients with clinical depression from the Edinburgh Cancer Centre. Half were given the usual NHS care for their depression, the other half also received 'Depression Care for People with Cancer', a treatment programme devised by PMR. The treatment programme was delivered by specially trained cancer nurses, supervised by Professor Sharpe. After three months of receiving the new treatment, almost 20 per cent fewer patients were depressed compared with those who received standard NHS treatment. The difference was still evident after one year.
To read more about the trial go to
www.thelancet.com/home
PMR staff open Edinburgh’s Race For Life
Nurses from PMR opened the Edinburgh Race for Life this year. Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s flagship event that has grown to become the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event.
To find out more about Race For Life go to http://www.raceforlife.org
July 2008
Symptom Monitoring Service now running in Glasgow Cancer Clinics
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
The Symptom Monitoring Service (SMS) is a new clinical service at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. This clinical service has been successfully running in the Edinburgh Cancer Centre for many years now and we are very pleased to be introducing this in Glasgow. For more information on SMS please
click here.
Further developments in SMS have seen hand-held wireless devices being introduced in both Edinburgh and Glasgow to make it even easier for patients to report their symptoms in the clinic.
SMaRT Oncology-2 Trial now recruiting in both Glasgow and Edinburgh
The SMaRT Oncology-2 Trial is now recruiting patients attending the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and their associated clinics. For more information on SMaRT Oncology-2 click here.
