Implications For Oncology Nurses Research Articles

Critical Event Debriefing: Impacts on Clinical Practice and Implications for Oncology Nurses.

The complexity of caring for patients with cancer has a direct impact on oncology nurses. When a patient with cancer experiences a critical health event, oncology nurses may have concerns about their ability to provide high-quality care for patients in the current healthcare environment. These concerns can negatively affect nurses' emotional well-being and lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. This article aims to examine critical event debriefing and identify ways oncology nurses can implement a critical event debriefing framework into their clinical practice. A literature search was conducted in CINAHL® and PubMed® databases for articles related to critical event debriefing and compassion fatigue and burnout among oncology nurses. A case study demonstrates the use of critical event debriefing on an oncology unit. Critical event debriefing frameworks can enhance teamwork, help initiate process improvements, and offer psychological support to improve emotional well-being. Additional research is needed about the use of critical event debriefing as a solution to compassion fatigue and burnout among oncology nurses.

Cancer Clinical Trials: Implications for Oncology Nurses.

To explore the various types and phases of clinical trials, the regulatory oversight, drug approval process, and implications of clinical trials for the oncology nurse. Peer-reviewed journal articles, internet, book chapters, white papers. Oncology nurses' interactions with patients entered on clinical trial and communication with the clinical research team is crucial to the successful conduct of clinical trials. The oncology nurse must work in concert with the clinical research team to protect patient safety and to produce accurate information for protocol requirements that will be used to evaluate whether a drug becomes approved or not by the US Food and Drug Administration. Oncology nurses play a central role to the successful outcome of clinical research studies. Nurses must work in close collaboration with the clinical research teams for the successful completion and adherence of the clinical trial and to maintain the safety of the patient enrolled into clinical trial.

The History of Clinical Trials Research: Implications for Oncology Nurses.

To discuss the major milestones in the history of clinical research and how these correlate with the role of the clinical research nurse. Government Web sites, published articles, and grey literature. The history of clinical research, drug development, and the regulations has come of age, and as a result clinical oncology research has a more defined scope and purpose. With the Oncology Nursing Society and the International Association of Clinical Research Nurses recognizing the scopes of practice for clinical research nursing, such roles are becoming more prevalent and integrated in oncology. It is vital for all clinical research nurses to understand and adhere to the laws and regulations related to clinical trials and human subject protection. The clinical research nurse must ensure good clinical practice and compliance with the regulations to ensure the integrity of the study. There are different types of clinical research, including behavioral, therapeutic, and nontherapeutic studies, where clinical research nurses must understand the treatments and the drug development process to better serve their patients.

Complicated Grief: Risk Factors, Interventions, and Resources for Oncology Nurses.

When a loved one dies of cancer, complicated grief (CG) may occur because of the trauma associated with family caregivers' perceptions of their loved one's suffering, either from advanced cancer or from side effects of cancer treatment. . This article provides an overview of CG and existing interventions for family caregivers who may be at risk for CG following the loss of a loved one and the implications for oncology nurses who provide emotional support and guidance. . Current evidence related to the treatment of CG and information to assist with identification of individuals at risk for CG are presented, as well as resources for oncology nurses who encounter individuals who are at high risk for, or who are experiencing, CG. . Although therapy interventions for CG have been shown to be effective forms of treatment, these therapies are not widely available and often require an extended treatment period to yield results. Oncology nurses can provide early interventions, such as referrals to supportive care services and mental health professionals to facilitate effective treatment.

Providing Care for Previvors: Implications for Oncology Nurses

Previvors are individuals who are survivors of a genetic predisposition for developing cancer. They often are confronted with difficult decisions about management of risks that might include aggressive screening and prophylactic surgery. Psychosocial challenges exist for the affected individual, their partners, and offspring. Oncology nurses need to be aware of the complex and special needs of this ever-growing population.

Depression Symptoms in Cancer Caregivers

Patients with cancer are living longer as the disease has become a more chronic condition. Family and friends assume the role of caregiver as more cancer care shifts to the home. The value of informal caregivers and the support they provide to patients will continue to increase. However, caregiving has physical and psychological consequences, including depression. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of the problem of caregiver depression because of its impact on health deterioration and early death in caregivers. This article discusses caregiving, depression, factors that may contribute to caregiver depression, and implications for oncology nurses. A case study, examples of instruments that can be used to identify caregivers exhibiting depressive symptoms, caregiver resources, and mental health resources are provided.

Depression Symptoms in Cancer Caregivers

Patients with cancer are living longer as the disease has become a more chronic condition. Family and friends assume the role of caregiver as more cancer care shifts to the home. The value of informal caregivers and the support they provide to patients will continue to increase. However, caregiving has physical and psychological consequences, including depression. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of the problem of caregiver depression because of its impact on health deterioration and early death in caregivers. This article discusses caregiving, depression, factors that may contribute to caregiver depression, and implications for oncology nurses. A case study, examples of instruments that can be used to identify caregivers exhibiting depressive symptoms, caregiver resources, and mental health resources are provided.

Symptom Burden: A Concept Analysis and Implications for Oncology Nurses

To analyze the concept of symptom burden and discuss implications for symptom research and symptom management. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Reviews, and published literature. Through Rodgers's evolutionary method of concept analysis, attributes of symptom burden were identified as dynamic, multidimensional, quantifiable, subjective, and physiologic. The major antecedent was multiple symptoms related to worsening disease status. Consequences of symptom burden included decreased survival, poor prognosis, delay or termination of treatment, increased hospitalizations and medical costs, decreased functional status, and lowered self-reported quality of life. Symptom burden is defined as the subjective, quantifiable prevalence, frequency, and severity of symptoms placing a physiologic burden on patients and producing multiple negative, physical, and emotional patient responses. Symptom burden is an important concept in the symptoms experience, separate from symptom distress and other related terms. The continued differentiation of symptom concepts is important for sound methodologic research and meaningful interventions that affect and improve patient experiences. Clarifying multiple symptom concepts in the symptoms experience, determining appropriate measurement methodologies for the concepts, and identifying appropriate strategies will lessen the burden of symptoms and contribute to improved quality of life and better patient outcomes.

Chemotherapy and Cutaneous Toxicities: Implications for Oncology Nurses

To review common cutaneous effects and dermatologic or cutaneous toxicities related to the administration of chemotherapy. These range from mostly cosmetic, such as hyperpigmentation or alopecia, to dose-limiting toxicities such as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia or hand-foot syndrome. Current research, published literature, and internet resources. Assessment and grading of associated toxicities of therapy is an integral part of caring for this patient population. Early intervention may reduce toxicities associated with therapies for this patient population As more patients receive chemotherapy, dermatologic effects are becoming more common. Oncology nurses must be skilled in managing these side effects.

Quality of life (QoL) improvements in 1464 patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving capecitabine (X) in Brazil: implications for oncology nurses

Quality of life (QoL) improvements in 1464 patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving capecitabine (X) in Brazil: implications for oncology nurses

Expanded Treatment Options in the Adjuvant Therapy of Colon Cancer: Implications for Oncology Nurses

To review the role of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with colon cancer. Published articles, Internet sources, and books. Colon cancer is a very common cancer in men and women. Chemotherapy, consisting primarily of 5-fluorouracil, has been used to treat colon cancer since the 1950s, but additional effective agents against metastatic disease now are available. The options for adjuvant chemotherapy have increased dramatically. Ongoing studies are evaluating the role of biologics in adjuvant therapy of colon cancer. Use of oxaliplatin in the adjuvant setting has further defined exciting new therapy options for patients with colon cancer. Oncology nurses caring for patients with colon cancer should be aware of new changes in therapy options. Although the addition of new therapies increases the tools in the drug arsenal for the common disease, management of toxicities of therapy is crucial as well. This article reviews changes in therapy options and toxicity management, including discussion of key issues for oncology nurses in the care of patients with colon cancer.

New EORTC guidelines for the treatment of anaemia in patients with cancer: Implications for nursing practice

Anaemia and associated fatigue are common problems in patients with cancer, and fatigue is considered by patients with cancer to be their most limiting symptom. The introduction of erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins (ESPs) has greatly improved the management of anaemia; however, many European patients with cancer-related anaemia are untreated because of a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals of the benefits of anaemia treatment to patients, or because of regional differences in treatment practices. Recently, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) developed the first European evidence-based guidelines for the use of ESPs in cancer-related anaemia in order to facilitate and standardize the assessment and management of the condition. These guidelines, and the implications for oncology nurses in implementing them in practice, are discussed.

False-Positive Cancer Screens and Health-related Quality of Life

By design, screening tests are imperfect-unresponsive to some cancers (false negatives) while occasionally raising suspicion of cancer where none exists (false positives). This pilot study describes patients' responses to having a false-positive screening test for cancer, and identifies screening effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The pilot findings suggest issues important for incorporation in future evaluations of the impact of screening for prostate, lung, colon, or ovarian (PLCO) cancers. Seven focus groups were conducted to identify the nature and meaning of all phases of PLCO screening. Minnesota participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial who had completed screening, with at least 1 false-positive screen, participated (N = 47). Participants' reactions to abnormal screens and diagnostic work-ups were primarily emotional (eg, anxiety and distress), not physical, and ultimately positive for the majority. Health distress and fear of cancer and death were the major negative aspects of HRQoL identified. These concepts are not typically included in generic HRQoL questionnaires like the SF-36, but are highly relevant to PLCO screening. Clinicians were regarded as underestimating the discomfort of follow-up diagnostic testing. However, relief and assurance appeared to eventually outweigh the negative emotions for most participants. Implications for oncology nurses include the need to consider the emotional consequences of screening in association with screen reliability and validity.

Oncology nursing implications related to smallpox bioterrorism preparations.

Although smallpox was globally eradicated in 1977, the current threat of smallpox as a bioterrorism agent is unknown. Based on intelligence reports, the U.S. government and public health sectors have recommended smallpox vaccination for very select individuals. Patients with cancer are at particular risk for complications from the smallpox vaccine because of potential immunosuppression. Vaccinated nurses caring for these patients also need to take special precautions because of the possibility of secondary transmission of this live vaccine to patients. This article reviews background information on bioterrorism, the presentation and clinical features of smallpox, contraindications to the smallpox vaccine, and implications for oncology nurses.

Women's perspectives regarding the impact of ovarian cancer: implications for nursing.

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Ovarian cancer and its treatment have a considerable effect on the quality of life of women diagnosed with the disease. Currently, little is known about the perspectives of women regarding their experiences of living with ovarian cancer or the impact of recurrent disease. This article presents data from a national study of Canadian women living with ovarian cancer and describes the impact of the disease and its treatment. In this study, 93 women had recurrent disease, and 170 had not experienced recurrent disease. Women in both groups were similar, ranging in age from 21 to 61 years. Two-thirds of the women were married, and all were white. A greater proportion of the women with recurrent disease reported bowel problems; fears of dying, pain, getting around; and feelings of self-blame. On the average, women with recurrent disease reported experiencing more problems since diagnosis than those without recurrent disease (p = 0.01). The proportion of women who perceived that they received adequate help for their problems ranged from 20% to 85%. Implications for oncology nurses regarding assessment, referral for assistance, and patient education are apparent from the study findings.

Survivors' perspectives on the impact of prostate cancer: implications for oncology nurses.

Providing effective care for individuals with prostate cancer is an important issue for oncology nurses. However, the paucity of empirical work regarding the impact of prostate cancer presents a limitation in designing and implementing appropriate nursing interventions. This article presents the findings from a national survey of 621 Canadian men living with prostate cancer regarding the impact of their disease and the availability of support. The most frequently identified problems included sexual function, side effects, fear of dying, incontinence, anger and pain. Approximately one-third of the respondents experienced a lifestyle change, but relatively few indicated experiencing a negative impact from the changes they experienced. The majority of respondents indicated they had been informed accurately about their treatment, but dissatisfaction was expressed regarding lack of information about emotional reactions, alternative therapies, how to speak with other prostate cancer patients and the availability of counselling and self-help groups. Clearly these results have implications for oncology nurses.

Biotherapy and the oncology nurse

To provide a brief overview of biotherapy and the roles of the oncology nurse. Published articles that pertain to biotherapy and implications for oncology nurses. Biotherapy is the fourth modality of cancer therapy, and it can be effective alone or in combination with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Many new roles and opportunities for oncology nurses will result from the further development of biotherapy. Professional nurses have an obligation to obtain accurate and current knowledge of new treatments. Oncology nurses with expertise in biotherapy will be needed to manage care for patients receiving biotherapy.