Abstracts and Learning Outcomes / European Journal of Oncology Nursing 18S1 (2014) S1–S22 one-third to a half of women prescribed these medications do not complete the recommended 5-year course. This study explores experiences of women prescribed adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer and how beliefs about the purpose of the medication, side effects experienced and interactions with health professionals influence adherence. Material and Methods: Participants in this qualitative study had been prescribed tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, or letrozole) and had been taking this medication for 1–5 years. Purposive recruitment was based on number of years prescribed adjuvant endocrine therapy, type of medication and, where possible, adherence. One semi-structured recorded interview per patient was carried out and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis of data, drawing on the framework approach was undertaken. Results and Discussion: 30 women participated in this study. Eight themes were identified from the analysis. Interview analysis indicated that women wanted to take adjuvant endocrine therapy as prescribed. They understood that taking this medication could reduce their risk of recurrence but did not fully understand that missing one or two tablets occasionally or frequently over 5 years could negatively impact on their survival. Women did not describe being regularly monitored for adherence nor being asked if they had any problems with side effects. Some women who struggled with side effects were subsequently advised they were at low risk and could stop the medication. Side effects were common and for some this had a great impact on their daily lives. However this did not cause women to stop taking their medication, nor seek advice from health professionals in secondary or primary care. Conclusion: Increasing adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy would ultimately increase survival but new models are needed to support adherence and enhance quality of life. Such models should promote self-management and be community-based to facilitate long term support and extended adjuvant endocrine therapy use. No conflict of interest. 47 The level of perceived social support and caregiving burden of the family members caring for patients with cancer A. Karaaslan Eser1 , T. Beduk2 . 1 Baskent University Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing and Health Services, Ankara, Turkey; 2 Ankara University Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing, Ankara, Turkey Background: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the caregiving burden and levels of perceived social support of primary caregivers who care for cancer patients. Material and Methods: This study was carried out haematology oncology and gynaecological oncology clinics at Baskent University Ankara Hospital. The sample was consisted of 150 primary caregivers who are older than 18 years, not having any mental disease or any problems that may affect their communication, volunteer to participate to the study and can be reached between 22nd February and 31st August 2012. Data was collected using questionnaires for patient and their caregiver, Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, One-Way Anova, Kruskal Wallis and Student t test. Results: In this study mean age of caregivers was 44. Most of the primary caregivers were woman (77.3%), primary school graduate (42.7%), patient’s spouse (57.6%), equal to the income and expenditure (60.7%) either didn’t work or was retired (70.0%). It was found that caregivers not be responsible from other one’s care (74.7%), care for 6 months or less time (42%) and get help from others during the caregiving trajectory (54.7%). Also it was determined that caregivers experience physical (69.3%), psychological (70.7%), social (60.7%), financial (64.7%) problems; changes in home life (58.7%) family relationships (42.0%). S13 Caregiver Strain Index and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support mean scores of primer caregivers had attendanced to the study were 5.77±2.97 and 55.62±23.17. Physical, psychological, financial and social problems and alterations in home life and family relationships affected care giver burden. Care burden of caregiver spouses also was higher. Caregivers, Caregiver Strain Index scores over time is also high, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scores are lower (p = 0.0001). Similarly, caregivers of patients with diagnosis time more was higher than scores from the Caregiver Strain Index and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale (p < 0.05). Training of care for patients with high levels of perceived social support is more than transmitters and this was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: It was found that medium significant correlations between caregiver burden and perceived social support (r = −0.466, p = 0.0001). We suggest suitable training programs in accordance with the needs of patients and their primer caregivers, and planning to reduce application caregiver burden. No conflict of interest. 48 Using experience-based co-design (EBCD) to enhance support for carers in the chemotherapy outpatient setting V. Tsianakas1 , R. Verity1 , C. Oakley2 , T. Murrells3 , G. Robert3 , A. Richardson4 , E. Ream5 . 1 Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery Kings College London, Supportive Cancer Care, London, United Kingdom; 2 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; 3 Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery Kings College London, National Nursing Research Unit, London, United Kingdom; 4 University of Southampton & University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom; 5 Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, Supportive Cancer Care, London, United Kingdom Introduction: Developments in diagnostics and treatment have contributed to increasing numbers of people becoming long-term cancer survivors. However, these improvements are not always reflected in better patient experience. In the UK, the national patient survey is a stark reminder that services need to be more patient-centred and address areas of concern to patients and their family/friends (carers). Previous work undertaken by the research team identified that carer’s experiences in the chemotherapy setting were lacking; carers voiced insufficient involvement, support and guidance. Carers play a crucial role during chemotherapy. They provide emotional, physical and practical support to patients, assist in monitoring and managing treatment side-effects and seek help when patients become unwell. Yet they are rarely prepared for this role and their own supportive care needs are seldom addressed. Objectives: A participatory action-research approach, Experiencebased Co-design (EBCD), was used to develop and test an intervention for carers in the chemotherapy outpatient setting. Material and Methods: EBCD entails filmed narratives, nonparticipant observation and a collaborative co-design process. Interviews were conducted with 20 carers and 20 staff, and 20 hours of observation was undertaken in 2 chemotherapy day units. A short edited film was created from carer interviews, depicting ‘touch points’ (emotionally significant points) in their journey. Through a facilitated 3-stage co-design process drawing on fieldwork findings, carers and staff co-designed components of an intervention and the way in which the intervention was delivered. The impact of the intervention and its delivery was tested in a feasibility trial. Results: Carers and staff identified several factors as important for carers during chemotherapy which provided the framework for the intervention: having preparatory information; being provided practical tips about supporting someone through chemotherapy whilst balancing daily life; having freedom/time to ask questions S14 Abstracts and Learning Outcomes / European Journal of Oncology Nursing 18S1 (2014) S1–S22 of staff; acknowledging the importance of their role during chemotherapy; acknowledging that their feelings, concerns and experiences are normal and shared by others. Staff and carers designed the ‘Take Care’ intervention. It comprised a supportive/educative DVD, leaflet and 1-hour nurse-led group consultation. Feasibility trial results indicated it significantly (1) enhanced carers’ knowledge of chemotherapy, (2) reduced unmet needs for information and support, (3) enhanced experience of, and satisfaction with care. It had limited impact on carers’ confidence in caring for patients and on emotional wellbeing. Conclusions: Carers need information and support from health professionals; a brief nurse-delivered intervention is feasible and acceptable to carers. Health professionals should consider using EBCD to develop/deliver interventions and service enhancements. EBCD results in innovations that meet patient, carer and staff needs. No conflict of interest. 49 Supporting cancer patients: a shared care in an interdisciplinary context M. Daem1 , M. Verbrugghe2 , A. Van Hecke2 , S. Verhaeghe2 , D. Beeckman2 , W. Schrauwen1 , S. Leroux1 , E. Decoene1 , M. Grypdonck2 . 1 Ghent University Hospital, Oncology Centre, Gent, Belgium; 2 Ghent University, Nursing Science, Gent, Belgium Background: In Belgium, the organization of psychosocial care is rather complex en its provision diverse. The number of psychosocial caregivers in oncologic settings is quite large and still increases since the government has launched the national cancer plan in 2008. This study addresses two objectives to explore the context of collaboration in the provision of psychosocial care. A first aim is to examine when cancer patients experience good psychosocial care. The second aim is to identify circumstances in collaboration which contribute to good patient-perceived psychosocial care. Method: A qualitative approach based on the principles of the grounded theory was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 cancer patients from 4 hospitals, 27 hospital workers and 6 primary health professionals whose patients had been hospitalized in one of these 4 hospitals. Each interview was audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and coded consistent with open and axial coding. The process of data collection and data analyses alternated in a cyclic way. Researcher triangulation took place during analyses as interviews and results were discussed in an interdisciplinary panel and rechecked against the data. Results: Psychosocial care was often requested but also refused by cancer patients. Based on this ambiguity, a distinction can be made between psychosocial support and psychosocial help. Psychosocial support aims to reduce the chaos in patients’ life caused by cancer and was shunned by none of the patients. Psychosocial support is not directly focused on problems which makes it feel safe for patients. On the other hand, psychosocial help is the formal care in response to psychosocial deficiencies. Many patients were reluctant to use help which was often provided by psychologists. Patients who made use of psychosocial help, felt assisted in dealing their emotions and in dealing with difficult situations. Barriers towards psychosocial help could be reduced by turning psychosocial needs into normality. Indicating trust in a referred caregiver was also considered crucial for the success of referrals whereby the relationship between the patient and the new caregiver started at a more advanced point. Next to these conditions which facilitate collaboration in psychosocial care, also characteristics are identified which promoted diversity in collaboration in order to acknowledge the expertise of each team member. Conclusion: Good psychosocial care aims patients to bear the difficult situation of cancer and its treatment. Patients prefer informal support, given at the situation and often in relation to physical care. Interdisciplinary collaboration offers opportunities to bring the needed care into reach of the patient. A good collaboration in psychosocial care can be achieved when complementarities are recognized by all the members of the team. This enlarges the scope of psychosocial care to fit the patients’ needs appropriate. No conflict of interest. 50 The effect of nursing telephone counselling upon chemotherapy related symptoms and quality of life among patients with lung cancer S. Hintistan1 , N. Nural1 , D. Cilingir1 , A. Gursoy1 . 1 Karadeniz Technical University, Health Sciences Faculty, Trabzon, Turkey Introduction: The nursing telephone counseling is part of a current effort to improve patient access while reducing cost and encouraging self-care. Reviews and meta-analyses support the value of telephone counseling to enhance the quality of life and to decrease symptoms related chemotherapy of cancer patients. Material and Method: The study was semi-experimentally conducted in order to determine the effect of nursing telephone counseling upon chemotherapy related symptoms and quality of life among the patients with lung cancer. The sample was composed of 60 patients who received chemotherapy and the patients were assigned to a control group (30) and experimental group (30) in order. For data collection; a questionnaire form which addressed patients’ descriptive characteristics, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance scale, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and Functional Quality Of Life Scale (cancer) were employed. To the patients in the experimental group; nursing telephone counseling was provided after each chemotherapy cure treatment in order to decrease and to eliminate the symptoms. The evaluation of data was done with frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Pearson’s Chi-Square, Fisher’s Exact, Mann–Whitney U, Friedman and Wilcoxon SignedRank test. Results and Discussion: It was noted that chemotherapy related symptoms increased among all of the patients as the chemotherapy cures advanced. However; in the final assessment of the patients of experimental group and control group; it was found out that there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of chemotherapy related symptoms except ‘other problems’ (p < 0.05). It was seen that there was a significant decrease in the quality of life in patients of both groups as a result of chemotherapy cures (p < 0.05). In the final assessment; it was found out that social functioning of the patients in the experimental group was significantly higher than the patients in the control group (p < 0.05) but there was no difference between the groups in terms of other subscales of the quality of life (p > 0.05). It was observed that the patients of experimental group had higher mean scores in all of the subscales of the quality of life than the patients of control group except gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea). These results demonstrated that lung cancer patients of the experimental group had better quality of life than those of the control group. Conclusion: Nursing telephone counseling showed supportive and beneficial effects upon decreasing chemotherapy related symptoms and increasing quality of life among the patients. No conflict of interest. Parallel Session: Lifestyle & Cancer 51 Physical activity and exercise for cancer patients No abstract received. No conflict of interest information specified.