Empowering oncology nurses: The transformative power of mentorship in cancer care

Position Statement on Cancer Nursing Leadership.

Oncology Nursing Challenges during COVID-19 Outbreak: Precautions and Guidance

Cancer prevalence is increasing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While the exact etiology of this trend is unknown, it can perhaps be partially attributed to an increased life expectancy and changes in lifestyle habits. One of the main challenges to the provision of appropriate cancer and palliative care is the critical shortage of oncology healthcare professionals, including nurses. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by its Islamic faith, culture, and unique traditions that may contribute to uniquely stressful situations for oncology nurses working in Saudi oncology care settings. This article provides an overview of cancer care and oncology nursing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on literature reporting challenges experienced by nurses delivering this care within the Saudi Arabian healthcare system and its cancer care services. Published literature written in English on cancer care and oncology nurses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were identified through a search of publicly available databases such as Medline, CINAHL, and Google Scholar as well as government sources. Reference lists were hand searched. Search terms used were Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian healthcare system, nursing education, nursing, Saudi nurses, oncology nursing, cancer, and cancer care. Common challenges facing oncology nursing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are related to high job demands, staff shortages, communication and language barriers, and cultural differences that may lead to stressful work environments and reduce the quality of care provided to their patients. While many steps have been undertaken by the Saudi Ministry of Health to reform the healthcare system, a number of challenges remain. The need for greater availability of cancer care and palliative care settings in all Saudi regions is strongly indicated. Nursing administrators/managers should take these factors into consideration to enhance the Saudi oncology care nursing work environment and to improve the quality of nursing care for patients with cancer and their families.

Objective To explore the status quo of emotional intelligence and death anxiety in oncology nurses and the effects of emotional intelligence on their death anxiety, and to provide reference to reducing death anxiety in oncology nurses. Methods Nurses working in oncology departments of 5 ClassⅢ hospitals in Zhejiang Province were selected by convenient sampling from September to December 2017. Templer's Death Anxiety Scale (T-DAS) and Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) were used to evaluate the nurses' death anxiety and emotional intelligence. Univariate analysis, correlation analysis and multivariate analysis were used to explore the relationship between the two. Totally 450 questionnaires were distributed, and 409 valid questionnaires were collected, with an valid collection rate of 90.9%. Results The total score of EIS in the 409 oncology nurses was (97.68±12.54) , and the score of T-DAS totaled (45.16±6.07) . Univariate analysis showed that there was statistically significant difference in total scores of T-DAS between oncology nurses with different sex, age, educational background, title, death education or hospice care training received or not, and end-of-life disposal of patients or family members attended or not (P<0.05) . According to Pearson correlation analysis, emotional intelligence was negatively correlated with death anxiety in oncology nurses (r=-0.337, P<0.01) . Regression analysis showed that the dimensions of emotional perception and emotion management of others in emotional intelligence had negative impact on death anxiety in oncology nurses. Conclusions Nursing managers in oncology departments take targeted interventions and reduce death anxiety in oncology nurses based on the shortcomings in emotional intelligence. Key words: Oncology service, hospital; Nurses; Emotional intelligence; Death anxiety

Cancer care for Canadian cancer survivors remains fragmented. Little is known about the experience of Canadian oncology nurses providing cancer care for cancer survivors, as they transition from acute treatment to primary care. This study aimed to (1) explore the experience of oncology nurses dealing with fragmented cancer care for cancer survivors in transition to survivorship; (2) identify oncology nurses' perspectives about what promotes or inhibits their delivery of quality cancer care; and (3) obtain their suggestions to improve cancer care. This study used a phenomenological design to explore the experience of oncology nurses in caring for cancer survivors during transition to survivorship and examine how the nurse participants describe their experience. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was used to develop themes from the data. Three oncology nurses participated in this study. The following five themes emerged: (1) Under personal transition: nursing assessment, symptoms management, patient education, resources offered, refusing label of cancer survivors, promoting adjustment to a new normal life, promoting return to work, and recognizing meaning of survivorship; (2) Under cancer survivor's care transition: promoting self-care management, communication, and maximal recovery of body functions; (3) Under nurse's positive experience promoting delivery of quality cancer care: caring for cancer survivors, experience and knowledge, and advocate for cancer survivors; (4) Under barriers that negatively affected delivery of cancer care: low socioeconomic status (especially low income), cultures and languages barriers, and limited time providing nursing care; and (5) Suggestions to improve cancer care: establishing a new position - primary nurse, increasing the number of healthcare professionals, and improving knowledge, skills, and experience. Oncology nurses' knowledge and experience provide a good foundation for quality cancer care and contribute to the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors.

Objective To explore the experience of palliative care among oncology nurses and provide suggestion to the training program for oncology specialized nurses. Methods Using the qualitative research and 13 oncology nurses were selected. Data were collected by depth interviews. Results the experience of palliative care among oncology nurses included acknowledge the importance of palliative care; increasing sense of achievement and occupational self-identity for nurses; Facing with difficulty and Challenge. Conclusion Palliative care plays important role in oncology nursing and nurses need more focused training on Psychological, social and spiritual care. Key words: Oncology Nurse; Palliative care; Experience; Qualitative research

Essential oncology nursing care along the cancer continuum.

Objective To examine the impact of oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue on doctor-patient relationship satisfaction. Methods Questionnaire survey was conducted by 388 oncology nurses, the questionnaires include Professional Quality of Life Scale and Doctor-Patient Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Results The total scores of compassion satisfaction was 34.22±7.19, the total scores of secondary traumatic was 26.32±6.12, the total scores of job burnout was 25.13±6.08, the total scores of doctor-patient relationship satisfaction was 4.24 ±0.75. Pearson correlation analysis showed that doctor-patient relationship satisfaction score was positively correlated with oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction (r=0.468,P <0.05) , negatioely correlated with nurses' compassion fatigue factor scores (r=-0.182,-0.531) . Regression analysis showed that compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic, job burnout and night shift frequency were influencing factors of doctor-patient relationship satisfaction, which could explain 29.2% of the variance. Conclusions Improvement of the oncology nurses' compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue can improve the doctor-patient relationship satisfaction and the quality of nursing service, and create a harmonious medical environment. Key words: Oncologic nursing; Compassion satisfaction; Compassion fatigue; Doctor-patient relationship satisfaction

All cancers and related treatments have the potential to affect sexuality and sexual function. This may result from impaired body function or altered body image, or from the emotional and psychological distress that often accompany diagnosis and treatment. It is increasingly acknowledged that issues surrounding sexuality are an important factor in quality of life for patients with cancer, and that sexuality is a legitimate area of concern for nurses in oncology and palliative care. However, issues relating to sexuality remain among the most poorly addressed in cancer care--possibly owing to lack of knowledge and expertise. There are also societal norms, myths and assumptions that may prevent nurses from broaching these issues. To provide this component of care, nurses need to have good communication skills, an open and non-judgmental approach, and knowledge of the potential ramifications of disease and treatment on sexuality.

New year greetings from the Editor-in-Chief of the Asia–Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing

Cancer Care Delivery Challenges in India during the COVID-19 Era: Are We Prepared for the Postpandemic Shock?

ES13.06 Developing a Care Board

This study explored the factors associated with oncology nurses' behaviour and intention to provide cancer care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Taiwan. A qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 oncology nurses between August and October 2023. The interview data were analysed using the framework method (the socio-ecological model) and constant comparative techniques. Factors associated with oncology nurses' behaviour and intentions to provide cancer care for LGBT individuals were categorised and presented by the levels of the social-ecological model: (1) intrapersonal level: oncology nurses' attitudes toward LGBT populations and their experiences, confidence, and beliefs in providing cancer care for LGBT individuals; (2) interpersonal level: concerns or interactions with oncology nurses' colleagues, other heterosexual cancer patients, and managers; (3) community and organisation levels: organisational climate and related training courses; and (4) societal and policy level: policy regarding sexual orientation, gender identity collection, and social atmosphere. Multilevel barriers associated with oncology nurses' behaviours and intentions to provide cancer care to LGBT individuals were identified. The study findings emphasised the importance of related training courses offered by organisations to reduce cancer care disparities among LGBT individuals. These courses also aim to enhance oncology nurses' confidence and comfort in delivering holistic and patient-centred cancer care for this population. The study findings can be employed to assist in developing related training courses and understand the challenges oncology nurses face when providing cancer care to LGBT individuals. No patient or public contributions.

Objective To explore and understand the influence of perceived professional benefits on oncology nurses′ innovative behaviors. Methods Totally 943oncology nurses were selected to join the study, Using the general information questionnaire, nurses′ perceived professional benefits scale and innovative behaviors scale for investigation. Results The average score of oncology nurses′ perceived Professional Benefits Scale was (114.08±16.45) points, the average score of oncology nurses′ innovative behaviors was (31.00±7.00) points. The score of perceived professional benefits of oncology nurses was positively correlated with score of innovative behavior of nurses (r= 0.472, P <0.01). Nurses position, level and relatives and friends identity, their own growth and team belonging in perceived professional benefits were the influencing factors of innovative behavior of oncology nurses (t=2.022-4.486, P < 0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion The perceived professional benefits of oncology nurses can play a positive role in promoting their innovative behaviors. Nursing managers should pay attention to improving perceived professional benefits of clinical nurses, promote their innovative behaviors and improve the quality of nursing services. Key words: Oncology nurses; Perceived professional benefits; Innovative behavior

Objective To explore oncology nurses′ attitudes and beliefs and its influencing factors toward sexuality care. Methods A total of 208 oncology nurses were investigated by convenience sampling method. The nurses were investigated with the Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey Scale and the Literacy of Sexual Health Care Scale. Results The total score of attitudes and beliefs of oncology nurses toward sexuality care was (44.88±11.45). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that age, sexual health education and training experience, knowledge of sexual health care and efficacy of sexual health care were the influencing factors of SABS. A total of 41.2% variance was explained. Conclusions We should strengthen the training of oncology nurses about sexuality care to reduce the barriers of sexual health education in clinical work and help nursesform the right attitudes and beliefs of health care so that they can provide patients with better care. Key words: Attitudes; Oncology nurses; Sexuality care; Beliefs