Browsing by Person "Hill, Gareth"

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The distinctiveness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB) persons affected by cancer treatment and impact on personhood: a participatory research study
(2021) Hill, Gareth
Background Delivering person-centred care is National Health Service policy within Scotland and advocated by the World Health Organisation. At present the needs and experiences of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) persons affected by cancer are not fully understood and they cannot be assured of healthcare delivered in a non-judgmental way. Methods This research is underpinned by person-centred philosophy with participatory research principles, using a devised Impact on Personhood Participatory Inquiry Framework (IPPIF). The researcher worked in-depth with nine LGB participants and their support persons exploring the impact of cancer treatment on aspects of personhood (i.e. long-term wellbeing and identity). The researcher worked with participants to co-create methods of exploration of how cancer treatment had impacted on them. Findings Participants’ accounts revealed a broad range of issues that both corroborate and build on existing evidence. LGB persons in this research explored context specific disorienting dilemmas in their own care experience, focusing on coming to terms with their diagnosis, negative experiences of care, and coping with the effects of treatments. Participants reflected on the impact of their treatments on their own self which included attitudes towards being labelled, reconciling intersectionality, and coming to terms with their sexual orientation. Participants discussed the development of new relationships and building confidence in new roles after treatment. Conclusions LGB persons were found to have distinct care experiences and needs related to cancer across a variety of areas. The main findings of this research provide an evidence base for this assertion, and were used to develop a national practitioner guide with the participants and key stakeholders. The guide was aimed at raising awareness of the needs of LGB persons affected by cancer and improving the care experience. Key words Person-centred Care; LGB Cancer Experience; Radiotherapy Treatment; Participatory Research; Patient Experience
Examining the Impact of Cancer Treatment on Personhood: A Participatory Research Investigation into the Unique Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals
(Elsevier, 2024-11-14) Hill, Gareth; Bulley, Catherine
Purpose Cancer incidence is growing in the UK population and will affect half of all individuals in their lifetime, with most new diagnoses occurring over the age of 60 years old. Despite legal reforms and liberation of LGBTQ people’s rights in recent years, many LGBTQ people affected by cancer will have faced significant societal discrimination in their lives. The aim of this research was to explore how cancer treatment impacts on the personhood of LGB people, and to increase understanding of social issues specific to this community. Methods Underpinned by person-centred principles and Critical Social Theory, a community-based participatory inquiry was carried out with nine LBG people who had been affected by cancer. In two subsequent sessions, participants created an identity map and then reflected on how cancer and care experiences had impacted their identity. Initially, content analysis of transcripts was informed by Mezirow’s perspective transformation, followed by inductive thematic analysis within each data framework category. Participants were invited to provide feedback on the identified themes. Results The processes of coming out and facing a cancer diagnosis emerged as significant crises, leading to personal transformation. Factors such as past experiences of homophobia, duration of being openly out, and confidence in embracing altered identities influence interactions with healthcare providers and the level of support received. Conclusions This research makes a unique contribution by shedding light on the unreported support needs of LGB individuals affected by cancer, suggesting the need for additional assistance.
Help me to come out gracefully! Working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual, people affected by cancer to develop a national practitioner guide supporting inclusive care
(Elsevier, 2023-02-23) Hill, Gareth; Bulley, Catherine
Introduction: The healthcare support needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) and transgender community are becoming an emerging area of healthcare research. Providing person-centred care is World Health Organisation policy and as such it is important that Radiography services can demonstrate areas in which they are working with people to design, develop and feedback on the services that they receive. This research aimed to establish how cancer treatment impacted on the identities of LGB people, their experiences of care, and their engagement with developing a practitioner guide. Methods: This cooperative inquiry is underpinned by person-centred philosophy and participatory research principles. Participants were nine lesbian, gay, and bisexual people affected by cancer. Each engaged in two facilitated, audio-recorded conversations to explore their experiences of cancer care. An analytical framework based on Mezirow's Transformational Theory was used to organise the data, followed by detailed content analysis to develop themes. Results: Participants included men and women, aged 45–68, who had experienced different cancers. They explored how cancer treatment had impacted on them, and worked with the researcher and stakeholders to establish a seven-recommendation practitioner guide aimed at improving LGB people's care experiences. Their accounts revealed a broad range of issues that both corroborate and build on existing evidence. Themes highlighted expectations and experiences of both assumptions and prejudice in healthcare interactions. These experiences, along with misinterpretation of relationships with significant others, led to feelings of discomfort and reserve about self-expression. Findings of the research are presented in the following key areas: Dilemmas of attending oncology appointments; Inclusive experiences of care; and Formulation of the practitioner guide. Conclusion: The research findings enabled development of a national practitioner guide with the participants and key stakeholders to raise awareness of the needs of LGB persons affected by cancer and support better care. Implications for practice: By providing real-life accounts this research adds to understanding of how LGB persons interact with services, developing evidence to support cultural competence within the profession of Radiography and oncology services more broadly. © 2023 The Author(s)
Sexual minority experiences of cancer care: A systematic review
(Elsevier, 2015-12) Hill, Gareth; Holborn, Catherine
There is a lack of published evidence from within the UK examining the needs of LGB cancer patients. A full systematic review of the worldwide literature was carried out with the aim to ascertain the experiences of sexual minority cancer patients and identify specific needs required.Key databases were searched with a variety of terms relating to the sexual minority cancer experience. Suitable literature was reviewed and references within all articles were search to ensure as inclusive a review as possible. Articles were subject to critical appraisal and scoring using The Support Unit for Research Evidence (SURE 2013) critical appraisal tools to assess eligibility for inclusion within the review. Twenty-five articles were selected for inclusion and were analysed. The papers were categorised into the emerging themes from the literature: Experiences of care (n = 6), Coping and Wellbeing (n = 6), Emotional Support (n = 4), Body Image (n = 3), and Sexual Function (n = 6). The data extraction revealed contrasting views and experiences of LGB individuals' experience of cancer care. Lesbian and gay individuals have different perspectives of cancer care and needs from heterosexuals. Discriminatory attitudes were found to be present in many studies as well as inequalities and gaps within care and support.There is evidence that supports the development of sexual minority specific cancer support groups. Further research of sexual minorities affected by cancer in the UK should be carried out to increase the evidence base and better identify the needs in this cultural group. 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
The role of total body irradiation (TBI) as a conditioning regime for paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A discussion of the evidence
(WB Saunders Ltd, 2016-02) Hill, Gareth; Meikle, Dora
Aim: The long term effects of TBI with children can be adverse and has resulted in a debate as to whether chemotherapy only based condition regimes could be used as an alternatives. The aim of this article is to critically evaluate the literature relating to the role of TBI as a conditioning regime in ALL in children, and if there are any alternatives to current practices or future developments. Method: Key databases were searched for terms: conditioning regimes, transplantation, TBI, whole body radiation, systemic irradiation, stem cell transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell, and transplant conditioning. Results: Thirteen research articles from a variety of publications and two guidance documents from several sources were uncovered for critical discussion. Discussion/conclusion: There is little evidence for chemotherapy only regimes in paediatric ALL, but the practice continues. Modulating doses to improve homogeneity and use of IGRT could hold a future solution to reducing long-term toxicity and maintain the efficacy of irradiation. 2015 The College of Radiographers.