Oncology Nursing Society Research Research Articles

Oncology Nursing Symptom Science: Overview of the NINR, ONS, and NCI Symptom Science Colloquium.

This article provides an overview of the process, development, and evaluation of the Symptom Science Colloquium sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research, Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), and National Cancer Institute. This colloquium was the first of its kind to leverage the common goals of these institutes to advance oncology symptom science. Specifically, this article will identify the goals of the agencies involved and synergy in forming this collaboration, review the ONS Research Agenda that provided the blueprint for the colloquium, and offer insights and lessons learned to be used for future planning. The colloquium engaged roughly 500 participants from all levels of clinical (RNs, advanced practice nurses), educational (undergraduate, master's, doctorate), and research (students, faculty, scientists) expertise. Six featured expert speakers and 115 poster presentations focused on the latest research in symptom science, cancer survivorship, palliative and end-of-life care, and hot topics (COVID-19, health disparities). Fourteen networking sessions fostered opportunities to engage with international experts. Special awards emphasized mentee-mentor relationships and exemplary midcareer faculty. Based on this emphasis, the authors provide themes from the successful award applications as exemplars. A summary of participant satisfaction and recommendations for future collaborations to enhance and advance oncology symptom science are provided.

Update to 2019-2022 ONS Research Agenda: Rapid Review to Address Structural Racism and Health Inequities.

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) formed a team to develop a necessary expansion of the 2019-2022 ONS Research Agenda, with a focus on racism and cancer care disparities. A multimethod consensus-building approach was used to develop and refine the research priorities. A panel of oncology nurse scientists and equity scholars with expertise in health disparities conducted a rapid review of the literature, consulted with experts and oncology nurses, and reviewed priorities from funding agencies. Critical gaps in the literature were identified and used to develop priority areas for oncology nursing research, practice, and workforce development. This is the first article in a two-part series that discusses structural racism and health inequities within oncology nursing. In this article, three priority areas for oncology nursing research are presented; in the second article, strategies to improve cancer disparities and equity and diversity in the oncology workforce are described. Research priorities are presented to inform future research that will provide methods and tools to increase health equity and reduce structural racism in oncology nursing practice, research, education, policy, and advocacy.

Update to 2019-2022 ONS Research Agenda: Rapid Review to Promote Equity in Oncology Healthcare Access and Workforce Development.

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) tasked a rapid response research team (RRRT) to develop priorities to increase diversity, equity, and inclusivity in oncology clinical care and workforce development. An RRRT of experts in health disparities conducted a rapid review of the literature, consulted with oncology nurse leaders and disparities researchers, and reviewed priorities from funding agencies. Significant gaps in the current oncology disparities literature were identified and used to inform priority areas for future research practice and workforce development in oncology nursing. This is the second article in a two-part series that presents findings on structural racism and health inequities in oncology nursing. In the first article, three priority areas for oncology nursing research were presented. In this article, strategies to improve diversity, equity, and inclusivity in clinical practice and the oncology workforce are described. Recommendations are presented to inform research, clinical, administrative, and academic oncology nursing settings on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusivity and deconstructing structural racism.

2021 National Institute of Nursing Research, National Cancer Institute, and Oncology Nursing Society Research Colloquium Abstracts

Abstracts appear as they were submitted and have not undergone editing or the Oncology Nursing Forum's review process. These abstracts are sponsored in part by an anonymous private donor, the City of Hope Nursing Research, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, and the University of South Carolina College of Nursing.

Ethics, health disparities, and discourses in oncology nursing's research: If we know the problems, why are we asking the wrong questions?

To disrupt conflations between 'health disparities research' and critical engagement with racism, whiteness, other oppressions and our profession's ongoing roles in white supremacy. In Oncology Nursing Society's (ONS) 2019-2023 research agenda, health disparities are highlighted as a top priority for nursing knowledge generation and intervention. The document concludes needs for increased 'minority and vulnerable population' participation in cancer clinical trials, reduced financial toxicity, behavioural interventions for risk reduction, incorporation of social determinants of health and technology to promote rural access to high-quality care. In this critical resistive, theoretical and ethical analysis on current discourses on health disparities research in oncology nursing, we ask: (a) What forces (stated and unstated) shape current oncology nursing discourses about health disparities?; (b) What assumptions about health and power are embedded in these discourses?; (c) Are we, as nurses and scientists, asking the right questions? Line-by-line analysis of the ONS Research Agenda for 2019-2023 'Health Disparities' section. The health disparities described in this report are not new to the literature, nor are many of the proposed solutions. As noted, disparities such as disproportionate cancer-related morbidity and mortality across identities (gender, race and sexual orientation) have not improved and some have worsened over several decades. That discourses on prioritising cancer-related health disparities persist while disparity-related outcomes remain largely unchanged presents challenges-both moral and pragmatic. We must ask, 'Rather than the concept of "health disparities," as presently understood in cancer nursing, what is the better approach to examine health equity and ethical nursing research practices?' This paper offers several starting places for nurses, especially with the following questions: 'Who does this harm?' Answer then revise: 'Who might this harm now?' Answer then revise: 'Are these harms worth the activity?' And repeat this process.

Mentorship for Nurse Scientists: Strategies for Growth From the Oncology Nursing Society Research Mentorship Task Force.

To describe research mentorship strategies needed to strengthen oncology nursing science and ensure that a cadre of nurse scientists are available to carry out the research mission of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). Multimethod consensus-building approach by content experts of the ONS Research Mentorship Task Force and approval by the ONS Board of Directors was employed. Expert opinion, surveys, notes from an all-day research mentorship retreat, and literature review were used. Content analysis was used to synthesize notes from the research mentorship retreat. Various strategies were identified to strengthen the pipeline of oncology nurse scientists and promote development across the career trajectory. Mentorship is essential to advance the growth and impact of oncology nursing science and requires support throughout the career trajectory.

Research Agenda of the Oncology Nursing Society: 2019-2022.

To define the Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda for 2019-2022. Multimethod, consensus-building approach by members of the Research Agenda Project Team. Expert opinion, literature review, surveys, interviews, focus groups, town hall, and review of research priorities from other cancer care organizations and funding agencies. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to synthesize research priority themes that emerged. Three priority areas for scientific development were identified. The Research Agenda can be used to focus oncology nurses' research, scholarship, leadership, and health policy efforts to advance quality cancer care, inform research funding priorities, and align initiatives and resources across the ONS enterprise.

Research Agenda of the Oncology Nursing Society: 2019-2022 (Executive Summary).

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. In keeping with this mission, since 2001, ONS has prepared and disseminated a national Research Agenda. The ONS Research Agenda serves to identify gaps in the knowledge base needed to deliver quality cancer nursing care to patients and families, articulate priorities for research, and delineate critical areas for funding consideration by funding agencies. A multimethod, iterative, consensus-building process that consisted of expert opinion, literature review, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and review of research priorities from other professional organizations and funding agencies was used to identify contemporary research priorities and to update the Research Agenda.

The 2014-2018 Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda.

To identify priority areas of research for the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Research Agenda for 2014-2018, consistent with ONS's mission to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care . Review of the literature, 2013 ONS Research Priorities Survey, National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Cancer Institute research foci . Multimethod consensus-building approach by content leaders and content experts of the ONS Research Agenda Project Team . The 2014-2018 Research Agenda Project Team identified eight high-priority research areas: symptoms, late effects of cancer treatment and survivorship care, palliative and end-of-life care, self-management, aging, family and caregivers, improving healthcare systems, and risk reduction. In addition, four cross-cutting themes were identified: biomarkers, bioinformatics, comparative effectiveness research, and dissemination and implementation science. The Research Agenda is a synthesis of the state of the science in cancer and identifies gaps and directions for the conduct and dissemination of research. Oncology nurses can use the agenda to inform clinical practice, develop research proposals, inform policy makers, support interdisciplinary research efforts, and promote scientist and clinician collaborations in targeted patient-centered research .

Two approaches to bridging the knowledge-practice gap in oncology nursing.

The field of oncology nursing is continually changing. New drugs to aid in the fight against cancer are being developed, complementary therapies to ease symptoms are gaining prominence, and survivorship care is becoming a welcome yet challenging area of subspecialty. For oncology nurses to provide quality care and to develop improved care delivery systems, they must not only have access to the most current knowledge in the field, but also be equipped with the skills necessary to integrate that knowledge into practice for the benefit of patients and families (LoBiondo-Wood et al., 2014). The importance of nursing research and its relationship to the practice of oncology nursing cannot be minimized (Moore & Badger, 2014). Oncology nurse researchers advance knowledge and, consequently, improve the quality of care for patients with cancer and their families. For example, the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) regularly surveys its membership to identify key areas of research focus that then guide the work of nurse investigators (LoBiondo-Wood et al., 2014; ONS Research Agenda Team, 2009). Unfortunately, the shortage of nurse scientists, particularly in oncology nursing, continues to increase as senior doctoral faculty reach retirement age and doctoral education program development remains stagnant (Glasgow & Dreher, 2010; LoBiondo-Wood et al., 2014). This shortage has and will continue to lead to gaps in the generation and implementation of new knowledge, negatively affecting the quality of patient care. As a result, an urgent need exists for innovative and quality doctoral educational programs to develop nurse scientists (Moore & Badger, 2014).

Priorities for oncology nursing research: the 2013 national survey.

To advance the goals of evidence-based care and prioritize the knowledge generation that addresses contemporary challenges in oncology nursing. Results are used to inform the development of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Research Agenda and by the ONS Foundation to develop strategic research initiatives. Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Web-based survey. 8,554 ONS members from all levels of education. All doctorally prepared members were invited to participate. A random stratified sample was obtained from the remainder of the membership. The ONS Research Priorities Survey project team created the survey and analyzed and interpreted the results. Members received an email invitation and follow-up reminders for survey completion. Oncology nursing research and evidence-based practice topic questions. The response rate was 11%, which is comparable to previous surveys. Topics ranked included descriptive research on patient adherence; intervention studies to optimize adherence, achieve concordance with cancer screening guidelines in minority populations, manage neurologic and cardiovascular late effects, and manage symptoms and symptom clusters; and studies to identify optimal delivery models for survivorship care. These findings have direct implications for translating existing evidence into practice and underscore the need for intervention research focused on improving patient-centered outcomes. Results provide a broad assessment of member views regarding oncology research priorities. Given the response rate, additional strategies to encourage member participation will be considered. The results, together with the updates of the ONS Research Agenda, can guide ONS and ONS Foundation research and evidence-based practice initiatives.

Do You Know Quality Care When You See It?

The mission of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care, but have you ever considered how that mission comes to life in your daily practice? Just as it can be challenging to describe the essence of nursing practice beyond listing specific tasks we perform each day, it may be difficult to routinely identify high-quality care. Our time is often drawn to clearly problematic areas of clinical care. Although this always will be necessary, changes associated with healthcare reform, reimbursement, and accreditation efforts highlight the need to also demonstrate consistently good clinician performance and patient outcomes. Carolyn Clancy, MD, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), defined healthcare quality as “getting the right care to the right patient at the right time—every time” (AHRQ, 2009, “What Is Quality?” para. 1). Do you know what the “right care” is? Can you demonstrate that it consistently is provided in your practice? Although many nurses might reply that they simply recognize good care when they see it, standards of care should be derived from a strong evidence base; high-quality care that achieves those standards can be quantified and compared across organizations through use of nationally tested quality measures. Evidence-based nursing practice (EBP) is not a new concept, and the link between EBP and quality cancer care is a critical one. In “Advocating for Quality Cancer Care: Making Evidence-Based Practice a Reality,” ONS member Kathi Mooney noted the need to transform the nursing role from a traditional “doer” based on local policy or personal preferences to one of a clinical “knowledge worker” with an everchanging evidence base (Mooney, 2001). Without a doubt, keeping abreast of rapidly changing clinical information is a daunting task. ONS strives to provide a wide range of resources to help keep nurses up to date on the latest evidence important to those providing care to patients with cancer. The 2012–2016 ONS Strategic Plan addresses four pillars on which to focus efforts—knowledge, leadership, technology, and, for the first time, quality. Resources from all four areas provide oncology nurses what they need to recognize and illustrate high-quality cancer care (see Figure 1). a ONS Research Agenda and ONS Foundation grant-making EBP—evidence-based practice; ONS—Oncology Nursing Society; PEP—Putting Evidence Into Practice

Identification of Barriers to Sexual Health Assessment in Oncology Nursing Practice

To explore oncology nurses' attitudes about and knowledge of sexual health. Sexual health is an integral component of quality of life, which is an Oncology Nursing Society research priority. A descriptive, cross-sectional design. A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the northeastern United States. A convenience sample of 576 RNs working in acute care, ambulatory, and perioperative services were approached during an annual mandatory training day. Attitudes and beliefs about patients' sexual health assessment in nursing practice were evaluated with the Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs Survey and 10 demographic questions. Oncology nurses' attitudes and beliefs regarding sexual health assessment of patients. A statistically significant difference was found in scores based on age and nursing experience, whereby younger and less experienced nurses had higher scores, indicating greater discomfort in discussing sexual health with patients. Statistical significance also was found in scores based on oncology certification and practice setting, whereby oncology certified nurses and outpatient nurses identified fewer attitudinal barriers than noncertified nurses and nurses working in the inpatient setting. The results suggest that this patient population may not be receiving a complete sexual health assessment. Nurses in the sample believed that sexuality was not too private an issue to discuss with their patients and claimed to understand how disease and treatment may affect patients' sexuality. Nurses also believed that their patients should not expect nurses to ask about their sexual concerns and often defer to the physician for any sexually related questions.

2008 ONS Research Priorities Survey

To determine the priorities of oncology nursing research, including the effect of evidence-based practice resources as identified by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) membership in June 2008. Descriptive, cross-sectional. A Web-based survey of ONS members. Stratified into three groups: a representative random sample of the general membership (n = 4,460, 421 responded), an over-sampled random sample of advanced practice nurses (n = 980, 149 responded), and all ONS members who were doctorally prepared (n = 589, 143 responded); 713 responded overall. The 2004 survey was revised and the new 2008 survey was beta tested. The invitation to complete the survey was sent via e-mail with a link to the survey Web site. A follow-up reminder was sent one week after the initial invitation. 70 oncology nursing research topic questions, divided into five categories, and two additional categories regarding ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice resources. Quality of life and pain were the two highest rated topics, consistent with 2000 and 2004 research priority survey findings. Eleven topics were new to the top 20 ranked priority topics in 2008. Differences in rankings were apparent between member groups. The respondents represented the broad spectrum of ONS membership. Changes in topic rankings indicate that oncology nursing research priorities have shifted since the 2004 survey. The lag in research result dissemination to clinical practice may account for differences in topic rating between groups. The survey results will be used to develop the 2009-2013 ONS Research Agenda. The results also will assist the ONS Foundation and other funding agencies in setting priorities.