Interprofessional education in cancer care - a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive cancer care requires effective collaboration by interprofessional healthcare teams. The need to develop educational initiatives to improve interprofessional collaboration is increasingly recognised. However, there is no agreement regarding the interprofessional competencies required for effective cancer care leading to much variation on the focus of research, planning and managing change. A scoping review was conducted to identify the current status of IPE in cancer care and to summarise the results of previous research in order to guide the development of interprofessional education in cancer care. METHODS: The JBI Scoping Review guidelines were used to guide the process of the review. A search of the available literature was conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus databases from January 2012 to March 2023 to investigate IPE for health professional clinicians working in cancer care. RESULTS: Of the 825 initial references and 153 studies imported for screening, a total of 28 studies were included in the final review. From those studies, seven focused on the need for IPE and interprofessional competence for oncology healthcare professionals, four reviewed existing IPE programs and 17 described the development and evaluation of interprofessional education. Findings show variation and lack of concept definitions underpinning research in IPE in cancer care settings. Variation also exists in the range of research activities in IPE, most notably related to communication, teamwork and the development of interprofessional practice. The evaluation of impact of IPE is mainly focused on health care professionals' self-evaluation and general feedback. Impact on patient care was only evaluated in one study. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, interprofessional education research in the field of cancer care is limited in Europe. Thus, there is a significant increase in publications in the last five years. A more systematic focus on the theoretical framework and definition of concepts would be of value. Research and programme development should be based on a shared understanding on what constitutes the interprofessional competences and IPE. Programmes to develop interprofessional practice should be developed and implemented systematically with inclusion of validated assessment methods, and evaluated and improved regularly.

Big Data, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence to Advance Cancer Care: Opportunities and Challenges.

OBJECTIVES: The rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and machine learning (ML) technologies hold promise for personalized, equitable cancer care and improved health outcomes within the context of cancer and beyond. Furthermore, integrating these technologies into cancer research has been effective in addressing many of the challenges for cancer control and cure. This can be achieved through the insights generated from massive amounts of data, in ways that can help inform decisions, interventions, and precision cancer care. AI, big data, and ML technologies offer, either in isolation or in combination, unconventional pathways that facilitate the better understanding and management of cancer and its impact on the person. The value of AI, big data, and ML technologies has been acknowledged and integrated within the Cancer Moonshot program in the U.S. and the EU Beating Cancer Plan in Europe. DATA SOURCES: Relevant studies on the topic have formed the basis for this article. CONCLUSION: In a shifting health care environment where cancer care is becoming more complex and demanding, big data and AI technologies can act as a vehicle to facilitating the care continuum. An increasing body of literature demonstrates their impactful contributions in areas such as treatment and diagnosis. These technologies, however, create additional requirements from health care professionals in terms of capacity and preparedness to integrate them effectively and efficiently in clinical practice. Therefore, there is an increasing need for investment and training in oncology to combat and overcome some of the challenges posed by cancer control. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: AI, big data, and ML are increasingly integrated in various aspects of health care. As a result, health care professionals, including nurses, will need to adjust in an ever-changing practice environment where these technologies have potential applications in clinical settings to improve risk stratification, early detection, and surveillance management of cancer patients.

Cancer Prevention Literacy among Different Population Subgroups: Challenges and Enabling Factors for Adopting and Complying with Cancer Prevention Recommendations.

It is estimated that 40% of the cancer cases in Europe could be prevented if people had better information and tools to make healthier choices and thereby reduce some of the most important cancer risk factors. The aim of this study is to gain knowledge and understanding about cancer prevention literacy among people with intellectual disabilities, immigrants, young people and young cancer survivors. In this qualitative study, we conducted six online focus-group interviews, including forty participants, to explore the cancer prevention literacy of four population subgroups and determine how cancer prevention recommendations according to the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) were perceived. The analysis resulted in the following main categories: current health beliefs and their impacts on how the ECAC recommendations were perceived, communication strategies and sources benefiting or hindering cancer prevention information from reaching out, and how vulnerabilities in these subgroups impact cancer prevention literacy. To improve cancer prevention literacy in Europe, more attention is needed this topic to overcome barriers among different population subgroups. Recommendations include improved and adapted cancer prevention information, support to individuals, as well as societal support, such as easy-access screening and vaccination programmes and regulations related to tobacco, alcohol, and diet.

A review of growth and development of oncology nursing in six European countries.

Oncology nursing consists of a branch of nursing specialised in the care of people affected by cancer. Despite its essential contribution in the field of oncology, there is lack or poor recognition as a specialty across Europe. The aim of this paper is to review the development and growth of oncology nursing in 6 diverse countries in Europe. The paper has been developed by drawing on the relevant national and European literature (e.g., in local language and English language) available in the participating countries. European and international literature has been used complementarily to contextualised the findings to the wider field of cancer nursing across the world. Furthermore, this literature has been utilised to demonstrate how the implications of the paper's outcomes can be relevant to other cancer nursing contexts. The paper discusses the pathways of the development and growth of oncology nursing in France, Cyprus, UK, Croatia, Norway, and Spain. This paper will further contribute to raising the awareness on the extent and level of contribution that oncology nurses are making to improve cancer care on a global scale. This also needs to be in accordance to the policy frameworks on a national, European and global context so that the recognition of the vital contribution of oncology nurses is complemented with its full recognition as a distinct specialty.

The role of cancer nurses in cancer-related pain management in Europe.

Cancer pain is a common symptom in patients with cancer and can largely affect their quality of life. Pain management is important to minimize the impact of pain on daily activities. Cancer nurses are significantly involved in all steps of pain management and contribute to the success of therapy through their knowledge and expertise. While they generally play an important role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients and their (pain) symptoms, this varies from country to country in Europe. An important aspect is their role in educating patients and their families about what pain is, what impact it can have, how it can be treated pharmacologically or non-pharmacologically and what effects or problems can occur during treatment. While there is a great discrepancy between education and training opportunities for cancer nurses in different European countries, there is a continued need for education and training in pain management. Cancer is increasingly becoming a chronic disease, and the management of pain in cancer survivors will be crucial to maintain an adequate quality of life. With this, the crucial role of cancer nurses is becoming even more important.

An inter-specialty cancer training programme curriculum for Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Multidisciplinary and multi-professional collaboration is vital in providing better outcomes for patients The aim of the INTERACT-EUROPE Project (Wide Ranging Cooperation and Cutting Edge Innovation As A Response To Cancer Training Needs) was to develop an inter-specialty curriculum. A pilot project will enable a pioneer cohort to acquire a sample of the competencies needed. METHODS: A scoping review, qualitative and quantitative surveys were undertaken. The quantitative survey results are reported here. Respondents, including members of education boards, curriculum committees, trainee committees of European specialist societies and the ECO Patient Advisory Committee, were asked to score 127 proposed competencies on a 7-point Likert scale as to their value in achieving the aims of the curriculum. Results were discussed and competencies developed at two stakeholder meetings. A consultative document, shared with stakeholders and available online, requested views regarding the other components of the curriculum. RESULTS: Eleven competencies were revised, three omitted and three added. The competencies were organised according to the CanMEDS framework with 13 Entrustable Professional Activities, 23 competencies and 127 enabling competencies covering all roles in the framework. Recommendations regarding the infrastructure, organisational aspects, eligibility of trainees and training centres, programme contents, assessment and evaluation were developed using the replies to the consultative document. CONCLUSIONS: An Inter-specialty Cancer Training Programme Curriculum and a pilot programme with virtual and face-to-face components have been developed with the aim of improving the care of people affected by cancer.