Identifying nursing activities in population-based colorectal and breast cancer screening programs in Spain: A Delphi study

Abstract

BackgroundGuidelines for quality assurance in cancer screening recommend that nurses be included on multidisciplinary teams for population-based cancer screening programs, however there are no current documents describing the activities of nurses in these programs. ObjectivesTo identify nursing activities performed in cancer screening programs in Spain from the perspective of professionals involved in those programs. MethodsA national two-round Delphi study was conducted in a population of sixty-eight cancer screening experts who were invited to participate and asked to identify nursing activities in cancer screening from a list of 24 possible activities. This list was obtained from a review article that was adapted for this study. Individuals were also asked to report the importance and frequency of these activities. ResultsForty-seven experts participated, and they identified 25 activities performed by colorectal cancer screening nurses and 17 performed by breast cancer screening nurses. These activities were primarily in the areas of patient management, education and health promotion. All activities selected by breast cancer screening professionals were also selected by colorectal cancer screening professionals. ConclusionsThe most important and frequent working practices of cancer screening nurses include acting as a link between the user and the primary care team, providing users with information and explaining that information, and resolving users’ concerns. The main responsibilities that were identified included registering all nursing activities during the process of cancer screening and keeping all patient data confidential.