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Annals of Palliative Medicine Sep 2023There is a growing recognition that oncology nurses are vitally important for an effective cancer control system. Although there is variation among countries, oncology...
There is a growing recognition that oncology nurses are vitally important for an effective cancer control system. Although there is variation among countries, oncology nursing is being recognized as a specialty practice and seen as a priority for development in cancer control plans in many settings. Ministries of Health in many countries are beginning to acknowledge the role nurses play in achieving successful cancer control outcomes. Additionally, the need for access to relevant education for oncology nursing practice is being recognized by nursing and policy leaders. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the growth and development of oncology nursing in Africa. Several vignettes are presented by nurse leaders in cancer care from several African countries. Their descriptions offer brief illustrations regarding the leadership nurses are providing in cancer control education, clinical practice, and research in their respective countries. The illustrations offer insight into the urgent need, and the potential, for future development of oncology nursing as a specialty given the many challenges nurses face across the African continent. The illustrations may also provide encouragement and ideas for nurses in countries where there is little current development of the specialty about how to proceed to mobilize efforts aimed toward its growth.
Topics: Humans; Oncology Nursing; Education, Nursing; Africa; Nurse's Role; Growth and Development
PubMed: 37431222
DOI: 10.21037/apm-22-1323 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Sep 2023Oncology nursing is increasingly recognized around the world as being vitally important for an effective cancer control system. Granted, there is variation between and...
Oncology nursing is increasingly recognized around the world as being vitally important for an effective cancer control system. Granted, there is variation between and among countries/regions regarding the strength and nature of that recognition, but oncology nursing is clearly seen as a specialty practice and as a priority for development in cancer control plans, especially for high resource countries/regions. Many countries/regions are beginning to recognize that nurses are vitally important to their cancer control efforts and nurses require specialized education and infrastructure support to make a substantial contribution. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the growth and development of cancer nursing in Asia. Several brief summaries are presented by nurse leaders in cancer care from several Asian countries/regions. Their descriptions reflect illustrations of the leadership nurses are providing in cancer control practice, education, and research in their respective countries/regions. The illustrations also reflect the potential for future development and growth of oncology nursing as a specialty given the many challenges nurses face across Asia. The development of relevant education programs following basic nursing preparation, the establishment of specialty organizations for oncology nurses, and engagement by nurses in policy activity have been influential factors in the growth of oncology nursing in Asia.
Topics: Humans; Oncology Nursing; Asia; Growth and Development
PubMed: 37211787
DOI: 10.21037/apm-22-1399 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine May 2023Oncology nursing requires specialized education and clinical training. It is not possible to deliver safe cancer nursing care across the cancer continuum with only a...
Oncology nursing requires specialized education and clinical training. It is not possible to deliver safe cancer nursing care across the cancer continuum with only a general nursing education and experience. Complex cancer therapies, e.g., immunotherapies, and technologies, e.g., radiotherapy, and advanced surgeries, demand nursing support delivered by knowledgeable and skilled professionals. To achieve this required workforce, necessitates cancer education that begins at pre-licensure, strong onboarding training, competency standards, continuing education and oncology nursing leadership across cancer control activities, e.g., national cancer control planning. Nevertheless, current nursing shortages, the lack of qualified oncology nursing faculty and adequate nursing schools, as well as government accreditation of oncology nursing specialties threaten appropriate cancer nursing care in the future. Given the exponential growth of the public health burden of cancer everywhere, prompt attention to the single largest workforce to support this patient population is urgent. Guidance from international authorities such as the World Health Organization, International Council of Nurses, and oncology nursing associations/societies allows governments to appropriately scale up their oncology nursing workforce to improve survival. We present the challenges in oncology nursing education and successful interventions to address those challenges to provide an overview of the current status of oncology nursing education from around the world.
Topics: Humans; Oncology Nursing; Education, Nursing; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 37164966
DOI: 10.21037/apm-22-1120 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Sep 2023Oncology 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... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Humans; Oncology Nursing; Europe; Spain; Norway; Growth and Development
PubMed: 37431223
DOI: 10.21037/apm-23-82 -
Oncology Nursing Forum Sep 2021One of the challenges for nurse scientists, particularly those of us educated in traditional academic models, is the question of how to make certain that our research...
One of the challenges for nurse scientists, particularly those of us educated in traditional academic models, is the question of how to make certain that our research addresses critical barriers to achieving health and healthcare equity. Traditional research inculcation taught us to focus on discrete, answerable questions, using an attainable sample given the financial and practical limitations inherent in research implementation. Although these techniques were part of an agreed-upon scientific method, the restrictions can lead to an answer to a circumscribed question but fail to articulate the broader issues inherent in designing and implementing human research that moves from inquiry to impact. Although our strong history in oncology nursing research includes a range of health concerns and responses to cancer, including biologic, socio-cultural, sex and gender, and, more recently, financial, I think that we, as oncology nurse scientists, agree that the focus of our research needs to more explicitly address pernicious aspects of health that lead to health disparities: racism and structural discrimination. Racism and structural barriers cloud all aspects of oncology: early detection, the design and uptake of promising therapeutics, quality of life, and financial well-being during active treatment and survivorship. How do we take the essential steps to not only measure but also address these critical barriers to reduce disparities and bring about more equitable and salubrious outcomes in oncology nursing research?
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Nursing Research; Oncology Nursing; Quality of Life; Racism
PubMed: 34411082
DOI: 10.1188/21.ONF.469-470 -
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing Dec 2017The holiday season may seem different this year with recent searing memories of individual and community heartbreak. For many, the holidays may be tough, and this season...
The holiday season may seem different this year with recent searing memories of individual and community heartbreak. For many, the holidays may be tough, and this season in particular may be very tough. Let's pause to take that in and remind ourselves of who we are: master clinicians who care for patients with cancer and their family members; caregiving instructors; and those prepared to answer the call, serving humanity. .
Topics: Fires; Holidays; Humans; Oncology Nursing; Violence; Weather
PubMed: 29149128
DOI: 10.1188/17.CJON.655 -
Seminars in Oncology Nursing Feb 2019To discuss our clinical research hospital's experience in integrating genomics into nursing practice. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To discuss our clinical research hospital's experience in integrating genomics into nursing practice.
DATA SOURCES
Published literature, national guidelines, and Web sites.
CONCLUSION
Utilizing a program based on the Method for Introducing a New Competency toolkit and adapted competencies from the Essentials of Genetic and Genomic Nursing, the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center successfully integrated genomics into nursing practice and all major educational programs.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
This experience provides an example for other nurses to integrate genetics/genomics into their practice settings.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Curriculum; Education, Nursing; Genome, Human; Humans; Oncology Nursing
PubMed: 30686495
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2018.12.005 -
Seminars in Oncology Nursing Feb 2019To review basic oncology genetic/genomic terminology through a 10-question quiz. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review basic oncology genetic/genomic terminology through a 10-question quiz.
DATA SOURCES
Published literature, national guidelines, and Web sites.
CONCLUSION
Cancer care now requires the integration of genetic/genomic information into the daily practice of oncology nurses.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
Oncology nurses and health care providers can work to improve the care of oncology patients by understanding basic genetics/genomics topics such as cancer risk assessment, hereditary cancer syndromes, pharmacogenomics, epigenetics, and legislation to protect genetic testing results.
Topics: Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing; Genome, Human; Humans; Mutation; Neoplasms; Oncology Nursing
PubMed: 30660357
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2018.12.002 -
Seminars in Oncology Nursing Feb 2016This article summarizes the evolution of gero-oncology nursing and highlights key educational initiatives, clinical practice issues, and research areas to enhance care... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
This article summarizes the evolution of gero-oncology nursing and highlights key educational initiatives, clinical practice issues, and research areas to enhance care of older adults with cancer.
DATA SOURCES
Peer-reviewed literature, position statements, clinical practice guidelines, Web-based materials, and professional organizations' resources.
CONCLUSION
Globally, the older adult cancer population is rapidly growing. The care of older adults with cancer requires an understanding of their diverse needs and the intersection of cancer and aging. Despite efforts to enhance competence in gero-oncology and to develop a body of evidence, nurses and health care systems remain under-prepared to provide high-quality care for older adults with cancer.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
Nurses must take a leadership role in integrating gerontological principles into oncology settings. Working closely with interdisciplinary team members, nurses should utilize available resources and continue to build evidence through gero-oncology nursing research.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Clinical Competence; Geriatric Nursing; Humans; Leadership; Neoplasms; Nurse's Role; Nurse-Patient Relations; Oncology Nursing
PubMed: 26830263
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2015.11.002 -
Seminars in Oncology Nursing Aug 2016To provide an overview of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination as cancer prevention with current strategies that nurses can use to help patients and parents overcome... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To provide an overview of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination as cancer prevention with current strategies that nurses can use to help patients and parents overcome barriers to HPV vaccination.
DATA SOURCES
Peer-reviewed literature, presentation abstracts, and current immunization recommendations from the Advisory Council on Immunization Practice.
CONCLUSION
Nurses can help prevent cancer by encouraging HPV vaccination during routine immunization and make HPV vaccination normal and routine.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
A vaccine to reduce/eliminate HPV-related cancers enables nurses' at all educational levels to advocate for cancer prevention through initiation and completion of the HPV vaccine series.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Nurse's Role; Oncology Nursing; Papillomavirus Vaccines; United States; Vaccination
PubMed: 27539281
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2016.05.007