New cancer treatment videos to 'take away some of the mystery and fear of unknown' for Highland patients
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NHS Highland has partnered with Macmillan Cancer Support to develop two new video resources for people being offered treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and their families.
Focus groups hosted in 2019 by the NHS Highland/Macmillan Person Centred Care Project with people who have been through cancer treatment in the Highlands revealed that visual cues to people and places ahead of cancer treatment would have helped reduce anxiety ahead of a first treatment.
In response to this, the project developed two videos: ‘Introduction to chemotherapy’ and ‘Introduction to radiotherapy’, to aid understanding of what to expect ahead of their cancer treatment.
Health bosses said following the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in increased virtual consultations ahead of cancer treatment, the need for these videos became more acute.
Both videos are now live on NHS Highland YouTube.
As cancer treatment is offered, this resource is highlighted by NHS Highland staff, with people having the option to watch the videos online from home, or request the video on a free DVD or USB.
A video brochure for people who have no supporting devices or internet facilities at home is also available.
In addition to the video resources, NHS Highland has partnered with Maggies Highland to host group zoom meetings, one ‘introduction to chemotherapy’ and one ‘introduction to radiotherapy’.
In these groups, people about to start chemotherapy or radiotherapy watch the relevant video and discuss the content with each other, a member of staff at Maggies Highland, and NHS Highland staff.
NHS Highland and charities said feedback from participants in the ‘Introduction to chemotherapy’ group at Maggies Highland has been very positive.
Seonaid Green, Maggies Highland Centre Head, said: “It’s great to be working collaboratively with NHS Highland, Maggies Highland and MacMillan to offer the best support possible for all our patients across the Highlands at the start of their cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“We know that anxiety ahead of starting treatment has been higher than ever over the past year due to Covid restrictions, so it’s especially important that we have this video and virtual support up and running at this time.”
Chrissie Lane, Consultant Nurse for Cancer Care with NHS Highland, said: “It has been rewarding to work on such a collaborative project.
"A wide range of staff in cancer services in the Highlands were consulted regarding content, and over 30 people treated for cancer in the Highlands gave guidance and feedback as the videos progressed.
"Videos of this kind are a first for Scotland and it has been wonderful to hear the positive feedback as people make use of them.”
Gordon Maclean, strategic partnership manager for Macmillan Scotland, said: “Macmillan welcomes the availability of these videos, which are seen as a crucial step in helping to alleviate some of the distress and anxieties for those affected by cancer and their family’s as they start cancer treatment.”
Dr Carol Macgregor, lead oncologist for NHS Highland, said: “This helps take some of the mystery and fear of the unknown out of an already stressful time, as people approach their cancer treatment.”
The Introduction to Chemotherapy can be watched here
The Introduction to Radiotherapy can be viewed here
