Using Data to Strengthen Ambulatory Oncology Nursing Practice.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to measure quality of care do not capture the unique aspects of ambulatory oncology settings. To retain nurses, ensure a safe practice environment, and encourage behaviors that support high-quality care, there is a need to identify factors associated with job satisfaction and turnover with measures that reflect the ambulatory setting. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the patterns and correlates of the work environment for nurses and nurse practitioners working in a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. METHODS: Web-based questionnaires were disseminated to employees with a registered nurse license in ambulatory settings and related support services and included 3 affiliated satellite locations. Participants completed the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, revised for ambulatory oncology settings, the Safety Organizing Scale, and items to assess job satisfaction, perceived quality of care, and intention to leave their current position. Logistic and linear regression models were used to examine factors associated with these outcomes. RESULTS: From 403 individuals, 319 (79.2%) participated. The majority of respondents endorsed excellent quality of care (57.7%), job satisfaction (69.3%), and intention to stay in current position (77.4%). Endorsement of favorable collegial nurse-physician relationships was significantly associated with all 3 outcomes and increased performance of safety organizing behaviors. Nurses reported variations in practice environments and safety organizing behaviors across units. CONCLUSIONS: Work environment assessments are useful to retain experienced nurses and support the delivery of high-quality patient care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Routine assessment of the work environment for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses is feasible and informative.

Implementing distress management guidelines in ambulatory oncology: a quality improvement project.

Distress assessment and referral to psychosocial services is an essential component of evidence-based oncologic nursing care. Oncology nurses have an opportunity to address patient distress needs through leadership of implementation programs and support for the positive outcomes that engaging in psychosocial services provides. This quality improvement project was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and utility of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's distress management clinical practice guidelines in ambulatory oncology. A theoretical framework guided the process design that included staff education, screening, and management in a cohort implementation project with historical control.

Emotional well-being years post-treatment for breast cancer: prospective, multi-ethnic, and population-based analysis.

PURPOSE: This study investigated factors associated with declines in emotional well-being (EWB) over time in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Women with breast cancer (Stages I-III) residing in Los Angeles, CA, or Detroit, MI, and reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries between June 2005 and February 2007 completed surveys at 9 months and 4 years after diagnosis. EWB was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Breast. Using a stress coping framework, logistic regression models assessed associations between personal, social, and clinical correlates, appraisal (e.g., worry about recurrence) and coping factors (e.g., emotional support) to EWB declines. RESULTS: Among eligible women who completed primary breast cancer treatment, 772 completed both surveys, and 192 (24.9 %) experienced EWB declines over time. Women with past or current depression were more likely to report EWB decline (p < 0.01). Survivors who perceived they did not receive enough information about risk of breast cancer recurrence during primary treatment were more likely to have EWB decline (OR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.32-0.87). Greater perceived likelihood of recurrence (OR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.01-5.29) and increased worry about recurrence (OR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.10-1.72) were associated with EWB decline. Higher spirituality beliefs and practices were associated with EWB decline. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of breast cancer patients report emotional well-being declines over time. Early identification of women who are vulnerable, such as women with past depression, is crucial to improve quality of care. Women would benefit from education about cancer recurrence and tailored strategies to manage worry about recurrence over time. IMPLICATION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Understanding actual risk of recurrence and managing worry about recurrence is important for cancer survivors. Emotional concerns are common for individuals with cancer so survivors should feel free to reach out and discuss such concerns with providers well into the survivorship period.