Rationale for tobacco cessation interventions for youth.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Four of every five persons who use tobacco begin before they reach adulthood; more than 3,000 young persons begin smoking each day. In addition, smoking is addictive-three of four teenagers who smoke have made at least one serious, yet unsuccessful, effort to quit. The importance of tobacco use cessation programs for youth is addressed in Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives and in recently passed legislation related to the Goals 2000 National Education Goals. CDC's Guidelines for School Health Programs to Prevent Tobacco Use and Addiction states that tobacco cessation programs are needed to help young persons who already use tobacco. In 1994, both the Surgeon General's Report, Preventing Tobacco Use among Young People, and the Institute of Medicine's report, Growing Up Tobacco Free, indicated that there were very few effective cessation programs for youth and that more research is needed in this area. This project convened experts to provide recommendations on the design of a tobacco cessation intervention for youth, including helping pregnant teenagers who smoke to stop. This program is based on effective adult cessation programs with modifications relevant to adolescent development. During the first year the major foundational work for this project was accomplished. A database of key contacts and other related interventions in tobacco cessation for youth was developed, a review and analysis of prevalence and trends in adolescent smoking were conducted, and a cooperative agreement with the American Medical Association was established to complete the design, implementation, and evaluation of an effective tobacco cessation program for youth. During the second project year, this program was tested through quasi-experimental research at various school-based health clinics throughout the country. The third year involved follow-up data collection and program modification based on the results. Plans for dissemination of the intervention to youth-serving agencies across the nation will be developed. This is a 3-year project.

Nicotine dependency and adolescents: preventing and treating.

Teenage tobacco use is an increasingly prevalent health problem in this country. Three thousand teenagers become regular smokers each day. This article reviews adolescent tobacco use and its health dangers; a brief-office intervention for tobacco cessation in adolescents is described.

Outpatient oncology settings: a variety of services.

Where and how can we best care for oncology patients, and what are the models of care that will provide safe patient and family-centered care while containing costs? Because the majority of all cancer care is delivered in the outpatient setting, the types of outpatient oncology settings, the services provided, and the advantages and disadvantages of different types of clinics are important considerations.

Cancer program development: is your hospital ready?

According to a recent survey of 1,779 U.S. hospitals, nearly 50 percent intend to expand their oncology programs in the next two years (Sandrik 1990). Also, the membership of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), an organization of community-based oncology programs, has quadrupled in the last decade (ACCC 1991). These facts indicate that a growing number of community hospitals are continuing to develop organized cancer programs. This two-part article answers the questions, "Why should a hospital consider expansion of oncology programs?" "When is a hospital ready for a major commitment to oncology?" "How does a hospital go about such a development?" "What components should be considered in the development process?" Part I will address the first three questions and part II will address the final one.

Nursing salaries and practice patterns: a nationwide evaluation by the Oncology Nursing Society.

This article summarizes the results of a national survey of salary, staffing, and professional practice patterns in oncology nursing conducted by the Oncology Nursing Society. The respondents represent a wide geographic distribution, and data were analyzed in the aggregate, as well as by American Hospital Association (AHA) regions, to allow for predictions of regional as well as national trends. This article reports on national and regional trends in salaries for entry-level and experienced practitioners; salary patterns for agency and float pool nurses; and the methods for awarding salary increases to nursing personnel in the past year. National trends in a variety of personnel practices affecting oncology nursing (e.g., shifts, self-scheduling, tuition reimbursement, and certification) are also presented. The data in this study come from a broad-based and geographically well-distributed sample that allows for meaningful national comparisons.

Staffing standards: why not? A report from the ONS Administration Committee.

This report from the Administration Committee of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) follows the publication of the Committee's monograph, The 1989 National Survey of Salary, Staffing, and Professional Practice Patterns in Oncology Nursing. Based on the experience of other professional organizations, the committee explains why it recommends that staffing standards not be developed at this time. An example of how to use the survey data to develop ideal staffing is included. Issues to consider in developing a staffing plan are also listed.