Managing symptoms in pancreatic cancer: Emotional and psychological wellbeing
This was the final session in our series on managing symptoms in pancreatic cancer, where we explored emotional and psychological wellbeing. This event discussed the psychological and emotional impact of pancreatic cancer throughout a patient’s journey, considering the effects of uncertainty, distress and rapid deterioration for patients and their loved ones.
We highlighted the relationship between emotional and physical symptoms, the importance of open and honest conversations and provided guidance on knowing when and where to refer on for additional support.
This session featured lived experience and a dedicated Q&A session, to support you as health professionals feel confident and equipped to offer the best support to your patients.
This was the final event in our symptom management series. Catch up on the previous events in this series on: GI symptoms, Fatigue and Pain.
'Covered all aspects of patients' potential psychological experience, health care professional's intervention and support for the patient.'
Agenda
- 9.00 – 9.05: Welcome & introduction, Nicci Murphy, Specialist Pancreatic Cancer Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
- 9.05 – 9.10: Lived experience video
- 9.10 – 10.05: Understanding and supporting emotional and psychological wellbeing in pancreatic cancer, Dr Sarah Noakes, Principal Macmillan Counselling Psychologist in Palliative Care, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- 10.05 – 10.25: Q&A
- 10.25 – 10.30: Close
Additional resources
Pancreatic cancer UK resources:
- Take our free CPD-accredited course on symptom management
- Find out more about our resources on psychosocial support
- Sarah also mentioned the charity WAY, Widowed and Young, whose services you can share with anyone you’re supporting who has lost, or may be facing losing a partner aged 50 or under.
Learning objectives
- Increase your knowledge of the psychological impact of pancreatic cancer from initial symptoms and diagnosis to treatment and end of life care.
- Understand more about the link between emotional wellbeing and physical symptoms, and the importance of open, honest conversations.
- Grow your confidence in recognising emotional distress and your role in supporting patients, including referral and acceptance.
- Gain practical tips to support patients and their loved ones, including having difficult conversations, and looking after yourself.
Who is this session for?
This session is suitable for all health professionals working closely with people with pancreatic cancer. It is particularly relevant for the following roles:
- UGI /HPB CNSs
- Community Nurses and District Nurses
- Ward Nurses
- Primary Care Staff
- Palliative care teams
- Allied Health Professionals
- Doctors
Our speakers
Chair
- Nicci Murphy, Clinical Lead and Specialist Pancreatic Cancer Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
Speaker
- Dr Sarah Noakes, Principal Macmillan Counselling Psychologist in Palliative Care, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Which ACCEND Capabilities in Practice does this course support?
Our events are mapped to the ACCEND framework. Find out more about ACCEND.
This event supports the following ACCEND Capabilities in Practice:
- 1. 5 Recognise the wider impact that symptoms of cancer, often persistent, can have on individuals, their families and those close to them
- 3. 2 Use advanced skills in listening and information-processing, alongside empathetic skills to assess, explore and respond to individuals’ complex needs and concerns
- 5. 5 Progress care, recognising that reducing symptoms, restoring and maintaining function and independence, and improving quality of life all form clinical outcomes and meaningful goals of treatment
- 6. 1 Provide information and advice appropriate to the needs, priorities and concerns of individuals
- 7. 4 Access information from a range of resources, and use them to meet the individual needs of service users, translating clinically related topics into language which is understandable both for individuals to self-manage effectively and for the development of patient information
- 8. 5 Have a knowledge of the range of services available to support people across the care pathway and how to refer/sign-post to them with awareness of when it would be appropriate to refer back to treating centres, including for emergency presentations
- 11. 7 Assess the psychological, social and emotional needs of cancer patients, their relatives and carers including coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis and potentially a terminal diagnosis
- 14. 1 Understand the complexities of working with people who have cancer +/- other clinical conditions including physical, psychological, spiritual and psychosocial
- 15.10 Understand a range of options available other than drug prescribing (e.g. not prescribing, promoting self-care, advising on the purchase of over-the-counter medicines)
- 15.11 Facilitate, refer to and/or prescribe non-medicinal therapies such as psycho-oncology, lifestyle changes, wellbeing information and support, and social prescribing
- 16. 8 Understand that cognitive, psychological and emotional support are the key to successful rehabilitation
- 17.10 Provide practical and emotional support to encourage individuals to take an active role in communicating with health professionals where this is needed, by supporting and encouraging them to ask questions about what is a priority or concern for them
- 20. 6 Identify the need for additional clinical and professional support such as referral, second opinion
- 22. 3 Understand and utilise the evidence of best practice to inform own practice
- 24. 2 Engage in self-directed learning, critically reflecting on practice to maximise advanced clinical skills and knowledge, as well as own potential to lead and develop both care and services locally and regionally.
