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Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Vieillissement

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Knowledge of geriatric oncology in nursing homes: survey among healthcare professionals working in nursing homes in Pays-de-la-Loire. Volume 19, issue 2, Juin 2021

Authors
1 Centre Hospitalier Erdre-et-Loire
2 Unité de coordination en onco-gériatrie des Pays-de-la-Loire
3 Observatoire dédié au cancer Bretagne – Pays-de-la-Loire
4 OMEDIT des Pays-de-la-Loire
5 Pôle de gérontologie clinique, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
* Correspondance

Objective: The increased incidence of cancer with age and rise of oral chemotherapy will affect the management of nursing home's residents. The aim of our study was to evaluate knowledge and practices in oncogeratric of nursing home's professionals from Pays-de-la-Loire and to raise awareness. Methods: In partnership with UCOG-pl, OMEDIT and Observatoire du Cancer, we realised an observational survey from April to September 2017. Three questionnaires were sent to coordonary doctors (CD), nurses and paramedics, along with informative documents. Results: In 589 nursing homes, 82 CD, 147 nurses and 240 paramedics gave an answer. The estimation of cancer's prevalence was 8,75%. Breast and prostate cancers were the most frequent. Nursing homes were an appropriate place to screen cancers by 79% of professionals. Some difficulties were reported by more than 80 % of them (coordination, residents’ relationships...). At least, 20% of professionals couldn’t define properly oncogeriatric. Only 73% of CD, 16% of nurses and 5% of paramedics knew about ongeriatric evaluations. Only 50% of CD knew about the G8 table, 15% of the oral cancer treatment file, 34% UCOG and 23% of the Observatoire du Cancer. Less than 5% of other professionals knew about this tool and these organisations. After information, most of the professionals think they will use them. Oral chemotherapy was already used by 90% of nurses, but the follow-up was considered inadequate. Discussion: Our survey shows a low awareness about oncogeriatric by the nursing home's professionals. This misreading and under-diagnosis of cancer in nursing homes could partly explain by the lake of training, communication and coordination with oncology professionals and the distinctive characteristics of nursing home's residents. Study suggests that raising awareness of oncogeriatric and its challenges to all professionals would improve the care of the elderly with cancer.