Fertility preservation for cancer patients: Role of nursing attitudes.

Abstract

110 Background: Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring adherence to quality guidelines. The 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology - Quality Oncology Practice Initiative guidelines state that infertility risks should be discussed prior to initiation of fertility-reducing therapies for patients in their reproductive years. Despite this guideline on fertility preservation (FP), national compliance is only 6% (Tallent, 2013). Research is lacking in the understanding of nurses’ attitudes and behaviors towards FP and no tools exist from which to examine this problem. The purpose of this study is to gain increased understanding of potential barriers for nurses to recommend FP as an option for newly diagnosed patients. Methods: This instrument development study was developed by content experts and field tested with staff nurses. Next, an online survey method was used to examine factors associated with nursing recommendation for FP of newly diagnosed cancer patients. An anonymous online survey was sent to oncology nurses at UT Southwestern and members of the Oncology Nursing Society (Dallas Fort Worth Chapter). The endpoint of the study is a sound survey to assess nursing behaviors toward FP in diagnosed cancer patients. Standardized descriptive measures of central tendency were used to describe baseline characteristics for the sample. Factor analysis was completed using SAS v9.3 with orthogonal rotation. Scree plot was examined for factors and loading > 0.30 were retained. Results: Analysis of the first 67 returned surveys (Phase 1) supports a 15-item (5-factor) survey tool. Preliminary results suggested the need for education, referral availability, and system refinement. Phase 2 surveys of additional 200 was initiated in August 2015, with an expected close of enrollment date of December 2015. Conclusions: Cancer patients of childbearing age worry how treatment will affect their ability to have a child. This survey may be beneficial in identifying nursing attitudes regarding FP. All members of the care team should be sensitive to this concern and should recommend appropriate action. This study will identify nursing barriers to patient education, and will support system-wide implementation of a comprehensive FP program.