Effect of an Oncology Nurse-Led Primary Palliative Care Intervention on Patients With Advanced Cancer: The CONNECT Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Guidelines recommend early specialty palliative care for all patients with advanced cancer, but most patients lack access to such services. Objective: To assess the effect of CONNECT (Care Management by Oncology Nurses to Address Supportive Care Needs), a primary palliative care intervention delivered by oncology nurses, on patient outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cluster randomized clinical trial of the CONNECT intervention vs standard care was conducted from July 25, 2016, to October 6, 2020. Participants were adult patients with metastatic solid tumors who were undergoing oncological care and for whom an oncologist would agree with the statement "would not be surprised if the patient died in the next year." The trial was conducted at 17 community oncology practices in western Pennsylvania. Data analyses adhered to the intention-to-treat principle. Interventions: The CONNECT intervention included 3 monthly visits with an existing infusion room nurse who was trained to address symptoms, provide emotional support, engage in advance care planning, and coordinate care. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was quality of life. At baseline and 3 months, participants completed assessments of quality of life (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative care: score range, 0-184, with higher scores indicating better quality of life), symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale: score range, 0-90, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden), and mood symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]: score range, 0-21, with higher scores indicating substantial anxiety and depression). Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate adjusted mean differences in 3-month outcomes. Preplanned, intensity-adjusted analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 672 patients were enrolled (mean [SD] age, 69.3 [10.2] years; 360 women [53.6%]). The mean (SD) number of CONNECT visits completed was 2.2 (1.0). At 3 months, no difference in mean (SD) quality-of-life score was found between the CONNECT and standard care groups (130.7 [28.2] vs 134.1 [28.1]; adjusted mean difference, 1.20; 95% CI, -2.75 to 5.15; P = .55). Similarly, there was no difference between groups in 3-month mean (SD) symptom burden (23.2 [16.6] vs 24.0 [16.1]; adjusted mean difference, -2.64; 95% CI, -5.85 to 0.58; P = .11) or mood symptoms (HADS depression subscale score: 5.1 [3.4] vs 4.8 [3.7], adjusted mean difference, -0.08 [95% CI, -0.71 to 0.57], P = .82; HADS anxiety subscale score: 5.7 [3.9] vs 5.4 [4.2], adjusted mean difference, -0.31 [95% CI, -0.96 to 0.33], P = .34). Intensity-adjusted analyses revealed a larger estimated treatment effect for patients who received a full dose (3 visits) of the CONNECT intervention. Conclusions and Relevance: This cluster randomized clinical trial found that a primary palliative care intervention that was delivered by oncology nurses did not improve patient-reported outcomes at 3 months. Primary palliative care interventions with a higher dose intensity may be beneficial for most patients with advanced cancer who lack access to palliative care specialists. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02712229.

Impactos del cuidado de personas con cáncer en la vida del cuidador y la dinámica familiar / Impacts of Caring for Persons with Cancer on the Caregiver and Family Dynamics

Introducción: La existencia de un paciente con cáncer en el seno de la familia implica varios retos y conduce a una necesidad de reorganización de toda la familia para la prestación de cuidados a este individuo, dejando, a veces, de cuidar de sí mismo, generando nuevas demandas a menudo descuidadas. Objetivo: Comprender, desde la perspectiva de los familiares cuidadores, cómo el proceso de cuidar de la persona con cáncer impacta en la vida del cuidador y la dinámica familiar. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y exploratorio, con enfoque cualitativo realizado con los familiares cuidadores de personas con cáncer de la ciudad de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, desde diciembre de 2016 hasta enero de 2017. La recopilación de datos se realizó con 7 cuidadores familiares, por medio de una guía con preguntas abiertas, estructurada sobre la base de la escala de Zarit, que se interrumpió cuando hubo la saturación de los datos. El análisis se realizó mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: Los familiares cuidadores mostraron alteraciones en las necesidades humanas básicas relacionadas con los dominios: psicobiológico, psicosocial y psicoespiritual. Tales aspectos orientan las acciones de los profesionales de salud y validan la importancia de una asistencia holística y humanitaria para el cuidador, que también necesita de cuidados. Conclusiones: Los profesionales de enfermería deben actuar en la planificación de acciones que se centran en el apoyo educativo, psicológico, humanizado, empático e integral y en la promoción de la salud, agregados al plan de atención el núcleo familiar, a fin de minimizar el desgaste físico, psicológico y social del cuidador(AU)

Introduction: The existence of a cancer patient within any family implies several challenges and leads to a necessity for reorganization of the whole family in order to provide care for this individual, sometimes ceasing to take care of themselves and generating new demands, often neglected. Objective: To understand, from the perspective of family caregivers, how the process of caring for the person with cancer impacts the caregiver's life and family dynamics. Methods: Descriptive and exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out, from December 2016 to January 2017, with family caregivers of people with cancer, in Viçosa City, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection was carried out with seven family caregivers, using a guide with open questions and structured on the basis of the Zarit scale, which was interrupted when the data was saturated. The analysis was carried out using the content analysis technique. Results: Family caregivers showed alterations in basic human needs related to the psychobiological, psychosocial and psychospiritual domains. Such aspects guide the actions of health professionals and validate the importance of holistic and humanitarian assistance for the caregiver, who also needs care. Conclusions: Nursing professionals must act in planning actions that focus on educational, psychological, humanized, empathic and comprehensive support and health promotion, added to the family nucleus care plan, in order to minimize the physical, psychological and social exhaustion of the caregiver(AU)

Supportive care needs and quality of care of patients with lung cancer in Mexico: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To assess the supportive care needs (SC-needs), quality of patient-centered care (PCC), and factors associated with increased SC-needs of patients with lung cancer (LC) in Mexico. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in the main oncology hospital of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Mexico City. The study included LC ambulatory patients aged ≥18 years with at least one hospitalization before the survey, ≤five years since diagnosis, and without memory loss. Participants answered SC-needs and quality of PCC questionnaires. We performed a multiple negative binomial regression analysis to evaluate the factors associated with an increased number of SC-needs. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight LC patients participated. Most participants had adenocarcinoma (61.7%) and were at an advanced disease stage (92.1%). In the month preceding the survey, 3.9% had undergone surgery and 78.9% had been receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy; 28.9% had symptoms of depression and 21.9% had anxiety. All patients reported one or more SC-needs-predominantly physical, daily living, information, and psychological needs. The significant gaps in PCC-quality were in the domains of care that addressed biopsychosocial needs and information for treatment decision-making. Factors that decreased the probability of SC-needs were respectful and coordinated care, high-school education, and older age. The factors increasing the likelihood of SCneeds were the type of LC (adenocarcinoma, mesenchymal tumors), chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: PCC improvement initiatives to address SC-needs of LC patients should be prioritized and focus on: (1) information on physical suffering relief and treatment; (2) psychological support; and (3) SC-needs monitoring.

The influence of the oncology-focused transgender-simulated patient simulation on nursing students' cultural competence development.

BACKGROUND: Disparities experienced by transgender patients, especially in cancer care, leads to poorer outcomes and overall health. Simulation, using transgender simulated patients (SPs) with a focus on cancer care can be an effective way to foster cultural competence nursing education. METHODS: Guided by the National League for Nursing (NLN)/Jeffries Simulation Theory and Cultural Competence and Confidence Model, this grant funded pretest (n = 48) and posttest (n = 41) comparison group, quasi-experimental study aimed to understand changes in students' transcultural self-efficacy (TSE) following the transgender-simulated patient simulation (TSPS) focusing on an oncological emergency management. Developed by following recommended guidelines and standards, the TSPS had content validity review and pilot testing. It aimed to improve students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes with regard to providing culturally congruent nursing care. The statistical methods included paired sample t-tests, independent t-tests, and correlation analyses. RESULTS: Students who participated in the TSPS intervention had significantly higher posttest TSE scores (P < .05). DISCUSSION: SP methodology can be an effective way to foster cultural congruence in nursing care. The findings contribute to the importance of continuous efforts for the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) topic in nursing education to enhance culturally congruent care.

State of eHealth in Cancer Care: Review of the Benefits and Limitations of eHealth Tools.

BACKGROUND: eHealth has the potential to improve patient access to care through the use of various tools. OBJECTIVES: This article provides a review of some eHealth technologies, including a discussion of their benefits and limitations. An overview of studies using eHealth technologies are summarized, and future directions are explored. METHODS: A review of the eHealth literature was conducted, with a focus on outcomes of telehealth interventions in cancer care. FINDINGS: eHealth can transform health care by expanding the reach of clinical cancer care. Examples of this expansion of care include patients who live in remote areas with limited access to oncology providers, patients who find travel challenging, and patients who prefer the convenience of communicating with their provider from their home. Such telehealth interventions can increase patient satisfaction, but additional research is needed to further evaluate patient outcomes.

A nurse practitioner-led model of care improves access, early assessment and integration of oncology services: an evaluation study.

PURPOSE: In Australia, the number of cancer cases has doubled since 1991 and is the second most common cause of death as reported by Chen, H., et al. (Supportive Care in Cancer, 2018. 27: p. 451-460). Chemotherapy, a common treatment, is known to cause distressing symptoms that often lead to a person presenting to an emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to investigate whether a nurse practitioner (NP)-led model of care could improve cancer service integration and reduce hospital presentations. METHODS: This was an evaluation study for a new model of care that included (i) telephone helpline; (ii) urgent assessment clinic; and (iii) rapid day treatment consultation service. RESULTS: The utilisation rate was 337 telephone calls involving 157 patients in the 7-month pilot. The most common reason for calling the helpline was for symptom management (n = 173, 51%), followed by education regarding treatment (n = 61, 18%). As a result, 49% (n = 165) of callers were given advice, information, or education; 22% (n = 74) were referred on to other healthcare providers; and 11% (38) were admitted to hospital. Of the 38 admitted patients, 9 were admitted directly from the urgent NP-led clinic bypassing the ED. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the NP-led model of care has reduced ED presentations, optimised symptom management, and streamlined patient telephone enquiries using validated clinical assessment tools (Jones 2018) within cancer services. The telephone helpline was available for the broader local health district community and was actively utilised. Patient surveys were overwhelmingly positive. The model of care has improved symptom management for patients and reduced ED workload and presentation rates.

Supporting Family Caregivers of Adult and Pediatric Persons with Leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the needs and formal assessment of family caregivers and ways to intervene to alleviate distress and enhance caregiving skills in the setting of adult and pediatric leukemia. DATA SOURCES: Literature review, clinical practice observations and experiences. CONCLUSION: While rapid treatment advances in leukemia are a welcome development, the reliance on complex care delivered by family members across settings continues to grow and, concomitantly, so does the risk of mental, physical, and economic burden. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses and other clinicians should systematically incorporate screening and assessment services so that educational and referral needs are identified and intervened upon.

Psychological and Financial Distress Management in Adults With Acute Leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: To review and summarize psychological and financial distress in adults with acute leukemia and provide evidence-based methods that nurses can apply to alleviate distress experienced by patients. DATA SOURCES: Oncology and palliative care literature published over the past decade. CONCLUSION: Current evidence supports the efficacy of psychosocial interventions to improve psychological well-being and reduce distress for adults undergoing treatment for leukemia. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses play a critical role, not only in identifying patients who are experiencing impaired psychological well-being and high levels of distress, but also in providing prompt support to these patients.

Ambulatory Toxicity Management (AToM) in patients receiving adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer - a pragmatic cluster randomized trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Population-based studies suggest that emergency department visits and hospitalizations are common among patients receiving chemotherapy and that rates in routine practice are higher than expected from clinical trials. Chemotherapy-related toxicities are often predictable and, consequently, acute care visits may be preventable with adequate treatment planning and support between visits to the cancer centre. We will evaluate the impact of proactive telephone-based toxicity management on emergency department visits and hospitalizations in women with early stage breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: In this pragmatic covariate constraint-based cluster randomized trial, 20 centres in Ontario, Canada are randomly allocated to either proactive telephone toxicity management (intervention) or routine care (control). The primary outcome is the cluster-level mean number of ED + H visits per patient evaluated using Ontario administrative healthcare data. Participants are all patients with early stage (I-III) breast cancer commencing adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy at participating institutions during the intervention period. At least 25 patients at each centre participate in a patient reported outcomes sub-study involving the collection of standardized questionnaires to measure: severity of treatment toxicities, self-care, self-efficacy, quality of life, and coordination of care. Patients participating in the patient reported outcomes (PRO) sub-study are asked to provide written consent to link their PRO data to administrative data. Unit costs will be applied to each per person resource utilized, and a total cost per population and patient will be generated. An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis will be undertaken to compare the incremental costs and outcomes between the intervention and control groups from the health system perspective. DISCUSSION: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a proactive toxicity management intervention in a routine care setting. The use of administrative healthcare data to evaluate the primary outcome enables an evaluation in a real world setting and at a much larger scale than previous studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov , NCT02485678. Registered 30 June 2015.

Assessment of feedback for the teaching of nursing practice / Evaluación del proceso de feedback para la enseñanza de la práctica de enfermería / Avaliação do processo de feedback para o ensino da prática de enfermagem

ABSTRACT Objective: Construct and validate instrument content for nursing consultation in an adult chemotherapy outpatient clinic. Method: Methodological study composed of two stages: elaboration of the instrument and validation of content. A literary review of the dimensions of customer care was carried out in the light of Theory of Basic Human Needs Theory, culminating in two instruments: one for admission consultation and other for follow-up. The content was validated by the evaluation of listed experts based on the adapted Fehring's Validation Model. Results: In the first round, two items of the admission instrument and three items of follow-up required reformulation. In the second round, there was an increase in agreement rate: 11% in the instrument of admission and 10% in follow-up. Final Consideration: The instrument represents a guideline for the Nursing Process and future research, but it cannot be seen as a substitute for nurses' knowledge and clinical reasoning.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Construir y validar contenido de instrumento para consulta de enfermería en ambulatorio de quimioterapia de adultos. Método: Estudio metodológico compuesto por dos etapas: elaboración del instrumento y validación de contenido. Se realizó una revisión literaria de las dimensiones del cuidado de la clientela, a la luz de la Teoría de las Necesidades Humanas Básicas, culminando en dos instrumentos: uno para consulta de admisión y otro de seguimiento. El contenido fue validado por la evaluación de expertos listados con base en el Modelo de Validación de Fehring adaptado. Resultados: En la primera ronda, dos ítems del instrumento de admisión y tres de seguimiento necesitaban reformulación. En la segunda ronda, hubo aumento de la tasa de concordancia: 11% en el instrumento de admisión y 10% de seguimiento. Consideraciones Finales: El instrumento representa un orientador del proceso de enfermería y de futuras investigaciones, pero no puede ser visto como un sustituto del conocimiento y del raciocinio clínico del enfermero.

RESUMO Objetivo: Construir e validar conteúdo de instrumento para consulta de enfermagem em ambulatório de quimioterapia de adultos. Método: Estudo metodológico composto por duas etapas: Elaboração do instrumento e validação de conteúdo. Foi realizada revisão literária das dimensões do cuidado da clientela, à luz da Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas, culminando em dois instrumentos: Um para consulta de admissão e outro de seguimento. O conteúdo foi validado pela avaliação de experts listados com base no Modelo de Validação de Fehring adaptado. Resultados: Na primeira rodada, dois itens do instrumento de admissão e três de seguimento necessitaram de reformulação. Na segunda rodada, houve aumento da taxa de concordância: 11% no instrumento de admissão e 10% de seguimento. Considerações Finais: O instrumento representa um norteador do Processo de Enfermagem e de futuras pesquisas, mas não pode ser visto como um substituto do conhecimento e do raciocínio clínico do enfermeiro.

Moral Distress Assessment in the Nursing Team of a Hematology-Oncology Sector.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency and intensity of Moral Distress, and to analyze the associations between Moral Distress and sociodemographic and labor characteristics of the nursing team of a Hematology-Oncology. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 46 nursing professionals from a Hematology-Oncology sector of a hospital institution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, through the application of the Moral Distress Scale - Brazilian version. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and nonparametric association tests were used. RESULTS: Mortal Distress intensity of 3.27 (SD= 1.79) and frequency of 1.72 (SD= 1.02) were found in this team. The Moral Distress of greater intensity and frequency were related to the denial of the role of Nursing as a patient's advocate and the disrespect to the patient's autonomy, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is suggested a greater space for discussion among professionals, multiprofessional team and managers, so that adequate conditions of action and communication are provided.

Improving oncology nurses' knowledge, self-confidence, and self-efficacy in nutritional assessment and counseling for patients with cancer: A quasi-experimental design.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of a structured educational program on improving oncology nurses' knowledge, self-confidence, and self-efficacy in nutritional assessment and counseling for patients with cancer. METHODS: A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used. A sample of 60 nurses from oncology units participated as an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The participants completed a knowledge test before completing the educational program. Self-confidence and self-efficacy also were assessed pre- and postintervention. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the experimental (mean [M] = 26.00, SD = 8.00) and control (M = 10.00, SD = 3.75) groups regarding knowledge after the interventional sessions (t = -16.00, P = 0.001). Furthermore, the results indicated a significant difference (t = -24.00, P = 0.001) between the experimental group (M = 60.50, SD = 13.10) and the control group (M = 36.50, SD = 7.60) regarding self- confidence in managing cancer patients. Finally, there was a significant difference between the experimental group (M = 33.50, SD = 3.10) and control group (M = 23.25, SD = 2.75) regarding self-efficacy (t = -10.25, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The educational program improved the oncology nurses' knowledge, self-confidence, and self-efficacy in relation to nutritional assessment and counseling. Improving nurses' competencies will improve the quality of care provided to the patients and patient health outcomes.

Moral Distress Assessment in the Nursing Team of a Hematology-Oncology Sector / Evaluación del Sufrimiento Moral en el equipo de enfermería de un sector de Hemato-Oncología / Avaliação do Sofrimento Moral na equipe de enfermagem de um setor de Hemato-Oncologia

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the frequency and intensity of Moral Distress, and to analyze the associations between Moral Distress and sociodemographic and labor characteristics of the nursing team of a Hematology-Oncology. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 46 nursing professionals from a Hematology-Oncology sector of a hospital institution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, through the application of the Moral Distress Scale - Brazilian version. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and nonparametric association tests were used. Results: Mortal Distress intensity of 3.27 (SD= 1.79) and frequency of 1.72 (SD= 1.02) were found in this team. The Moral Distress of greater intensity and frequency were related to the denial of the role of Nursing as a patient's advocate and the disrespect to the patient's autonomy, respectively. Conclusion: It is suggested a greater space for discussion among professionals, multiprofessional team and managers, so that adequate conditions of action and communication are provided.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar la frecuencia e intensidad del Sufrimiento Moral y analizar las asociaciones entre el Sufrimiento Moral y las características sociodemográficas y laborales del equipo de enfermería de un sector de Hemato-Oncología. Método: Estudio transversal, realizado con 46 profesionales de enfermería de un sector de Hemato-Oncología de una institución hospitalaria de Rio Grande do Sul, por medio de la aplicación de la escala Moral Distress Scale - Versión brasileña. Se empleó, en el análisis de los datos, estadística descriptiva y pruebas de asociación no paramétricas. Resultados: Se verificó una media de intensidad del Sufrimiento Moral de 3,27 (DP = 1,79) y la frecuencia de 1,72 (DP = 1,02) en ese equipo. El Sufrimiento Moral de mayor intensidad y frecuencia fueron referentes a la negación del papel de la enfermería como abogada del paciente y el irrespeto a la autonomía del paciente, respectivamente. Conclusión: Se sugiere mayor espacio de discusión entre profesionales, equipo multiprofesional y jefaturas, para que sean proporcionadas adecuadas condiciones de actuación y comunicación.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a frequência e intensidade do Sofrimento Moral, e analisar as associações entre Sofrimento Moral e características sociodemográficas e laborais da equipe de enfermagem de um setor de Hemato-Oncologia. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado com 46 profissionais de enfermagem de um setor de Hemato-Oncologia de uma instituição hospitalar do Rio Grande do Sul, por meio da aplicação da escala Moral Distress Scale - Versão brasileira. Empregou-se, na análise dos dados, estatística descritiva e testes de associação não paramétricos. Resultados: Verificou-se média de intensidade do Sofrimento Moral de 3,27 (DP = 1,79) e frequência de 1,72 (DP = 1,02) nessa equipe. O Sofrimento Moral de maior intensidade e frequência foram referentes à negação do papel da Enfermagem como advogada do paciente e o desrespeito à autonomia do paciente, respectivamente. Conclusões: Sugere-se maior espaço de discussão entre profissionais, equipe multiprofissional e chefias, para que sejam proporcionadas adequadas condições de atuação e comunicação.

Nursing Education: Review of Assessment, Clinical Care, and Implications for Practice Regarding Older Adult Patients With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: As the population of older adults continues to increase, the healthcare system must adapt to respond to their unique and complicated health needs. More than half of all patients diagnosed with cancer in America are aged 65 years or older. The appropriate care for older adult patients with cancer requires a holistic approach with careful coordination of interprofessional providers. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to describe the components of the comprehensive geriatric assessment, summarize the importance of exercise in older adults, discuss the harms of polypharmacy, and evaluate the initiatives to improve geriatric nursing education. METHODS: The literature was reviewed and summarized to provide information on comprehensive geriatric assessment, exercise, polypharmacy, and geriatric nursing education. FINDINGS: Numerous assessment tools can help guide the care of older adult patients with cancer. Because many nurses have little formal geriatric-specific training, there is a growing need for targeted education to ensure best practices.

Biosimilars: Exploring the History, Science, and Progress.

BACKGROUND: Biosimilars provide opportunities for improving healthcare access and outcomes and reducing overall healthcare costs for patients with cancer. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to explore the history of biosimilars, regulatory pathways, and barriers to biosimilar approval. This article also aims to describe the patient and clinician barriers to biosimilars use and the progress that has been achieved since the first biosimilar approval in Europe in 2006 and in the United States in 2015. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to retrieve articles that are highly relevant to the history of biosimilars development and regulatory pathways in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada. Patient and clinician perspectives on safety issues and concerns regarding immunogenicity and bioequivalence that limit use of biosimilars are also included. FINDINGS: Patient and provider concerns regarding immunologic patient safety issues, such as immunogenicity, lack of comparability, and low biosimilarity, still exist. The clinical safety, efficacy, and tolerability of biosimilars are among the top concerns in patients, prescribers, and clinicians.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: Interprofessional Team Recommendations for Older Adult Women With Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Geriatric oncology incorporates comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and traditional oncology care. OBJECTIVES: The aims are to identify limitations reflected by mean scores on the CGA instruments and describe the CGA recommendations documented in the medical record. METHODS: CGA was administered and consisted of the Timed Up and Go Test, the Activities of Daily Living Scale, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, grip strength, falls, pain, the Brief Fatigue Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Mini-Cog, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment. CGA recommendations were obtained from the medical record. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: Most recommendations were for general cancer treatment, followed by fall referral/education.

Patients' characteristics informing practice: improving individualized nursing care in the radiation oncology setting.

PURPOSE: A large number of patients attend for radiotherapy daily. Primary nurses in the study settings aim to individualize care for their patients. The individual characteristics of patients may determine their perceptions of nursing care, and provide guidance in tailoring their care. This study aimed to assess patients' personal characteristics on their perceptions of individualized care (IC) provided by nurses during a course of radiotherapy, and to determine predictor variables that may inform nursing practice. METHODS: This cross-sectional, exploratory study was conducted in three radiotherapy departments in Australia. Patients (n = 250) completed the Individualized Care Scale_Patient (ICS_P). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, univariate analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Males reported significantly higher perceptions of IC than females in 7/9 subscales. Patients with head and neck and prostate cancer, as well as those requiring hospitalization during radiotherapy, scored significantly higher in 5/9 subscales. Courses > 30 days, those not receiving chemotherapy, and partnered patients reported greater IC across all subscales. Gender and hospitalization were the main predictor variables for IC. CONCLUSION: Patients reported moderately high levels of IC during their radiotherapy; however, standard demographic information may provide limited insight into improving care for the individual. Patient characteristics routinely chosen, such as age, gender, and education may not predict how patients perceive their care or support the tailoring of interventions to improve IC. Researching a range of related patient characteristics may prove a more useful concept for future nursing studies aiming to predict outcomes to tailor nursing practice.

Staff Perceptions of Symptoms, Approaches to Assessment, and Challenges to Assessment Among Children With Cancer.

Nurses are often the first to recognize and respond to children's symptoms. This descriptive, exploratory study characterized how pediatric oncology health care providers characterize and assess children's cancer-related symptoms. The study also explored challenges associated with symptom assessment and information perceived as helpful in planning interventions. The setting was a Children's Oncology Group-affiliated hospital in the Intermountain West of the United States. Twenty-two pediatric oncology health care providers (95% female; 68% nurses) participated in one of four focus group sessions. Sessions were facilitated by two individuals and included six open-ended questions addressing participants' perspectives of cancer-related symptoms, approaches to symptom assessment, challenges and frustrations encountered when assessing symptoms, and information needed to plan interventions. Participants identified 75 physical and psychosocial responses that included both subjectively experienced symptoms and other consequences of the cancer experience. Qualitative content analysis procedures organized other responses into categories and subcategories. Participants most frequently reported using observational approaches including physical assessment findings and observation of the child's behavior to identify symptoms. Strategies that sought the child's input such as the use of a rating scale or seeking the child's verbal description were less frequently named. Participants related discerning and interpreting the child's behaviors as a challenge to symptom assessment. They also reported attention to symptom characteristics as important to planning interventions. Future directions include building capacity to support child-centric symptom assessment. Development of reliable and valid resources for use in clinical settings may support a more child-centric approach to symptom assessment.

Employing patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to support newly diagnosed patients with melanoma: Feasibility and acceptability of a holistic needs assessment intervention.

PURPOSE: Living with a melanoma diagnosis can be challenging. We aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived value of a nurse-led intervention that utilised patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to identify and address the supportive care needs of newly diagnosed patients with Stage I/II melanoma over the first 4 months post-diagnosis. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory, repeated-measures, single-arm, feasibility trial. One baseline (4 weeks post-diagnosis; T1) and one follow-up intervention session (4 weeks after wide local excision; T3) took place, two months apart. Patient survey data were collected monthly, at four assessment points (T1-T4), followed by exit interviews. RESULTS: A recruitment rate of 55% (10/18) was achieved. The skin cancer nurse specialist (CNS) performed 19 in-clinic patient assessments within 6 months. One patient missed their follow-up intervention session (90% retention rate). Three participants (30%) were lost to follow-up at T4. Patients endorsed the standardised use of easy-to-use PRO measures as a means to help them shortlist, report and prioritise their needs. The CNS viewed the intervention as a highly structured activity that allowed tailoring support priority needs. A sizeable reduction in information needs was found from T1 to T4 (Standardised Response Mean [SRM] change = -0.99; p < 0.05). From T1 to T2, significant reductions in psychological (SRM change = -1.18; p < 0.001), practical (SRM change = -0.67; p < 0.05) and sexuality needs (SRM change = -0.78; p < 0.05) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention appears to be feasible in clinical practice and acceptable to both patients with newly diagnosed melanoma and clinicians. Future research is warranted to test its effectiveness against standard care.

Interprofessional Management of Cancer Survivorship: New Models of Care.

OBJECTIVE: To examine interprofessional models of care and care delivery for cancer survivorship, focusing on nursing as key providers of care. DATA SOURCES: National summary statements and literature review. CONCLUSION: The need for cancer survivorship care is established. Treatment summaries and survivorship care plans are mandated documents expected to guide the delivery of survivorship care. However, the optimal delivery method, infrastructure, provider, and (cost-) effectiveness for the delivery of cancer survivorship care is unknown. Utilizing commonly occurring scenarios in cancer survivorship, this article discusses the visit structure, content care delivery structure, and possible care providers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: These real-life situations can help the cancer care community to develop optimal algorithms of care and identify members of the interprofessional team for the survivorship care delivery.