AIMS To review evidence on the role of oncology nurses in the provision of information to cancer patients and to delineate evidence-based implications for clinical practice and research. BACKGROUND Provision of information is central for the empowerment of patients to participate in their care. There is not enough evidence regarding the nursing role in the information delivery process in canc...

In this paper selected findings of a qualitative study of eight exemplary oncology nurses are presented. The focus is on the views of these nurses about key elements of nursing practice, namely, the nature of health, human beings, nurse-patient relationships, nursing care, and the nursing environment. In the first part of the paper, the research methodology used in the study is outlined. Subseq...

BACKGROUND Communication plays an important role for the well being of patients, families and also health care professionals in cancer care. Conversely, ineffective communication may cause depression, increased anxiety, hopelessness and decreased of quality life for patients, families and also nurses. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore communication difficulties of pediatric hematology/onc...

The goal of this phenomenological study was to explore what within the lived experiences of exemplary oncology nurses facilitates the avoidance of compassion fatigue. A purposive sample of seven oncology nurses (RNs) who were identified by their colleagues as exemplary caregivers was recruited. Data were collected through semi-structured conversations that were subsequently transcribed. Transcr...

How do you respond when a grateful patient or family member asks, " What can I do to say thank you? " We know the work we do is important to our patients and their families, but we may not always get to see or hear about its impact on them. Sometimes we get thanks by way of candy, coffee, or other well-meaning gestures. However, there may be other ways to answer when they ask, " What can we do ...

Decreased physical functioning, either transient or enduring, is encountered by many individuals at various points in the cancer trajectory. Oncology nurses are well positioned to promote functional recovery, as they have intensive contact with cancer patients in multiple settings and throughout all phases of the disease continuum. This article reviews effective screening tools that nurses can ...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To review the literature related to chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis and highlight four empirically supported oral mucositis rating scales that oncology nurses can use. DATA SOURCES CINAHL and MEDLINE databases, published articles, and supplemental publications. DATA SYNTHESIS Various oral mucositis rating scales have been developed; however, a lack of consensus exists...

As the evidence for oncology nursing practice expands exponentially, nurse clinicians, including oncology nurses, are faced with a growing demand to integrate evolving contemporary evidence into practice. Models such as the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Framework (University of Pennsylvania Health System [UPHS] Nursing Research Committee, 1999) (see Figure 1), as well as the Oncology Nursing So...

Most nurses agree that incorporating evidence into practice is necessary to provide quality care, but barriers such as time, resources, and knowledge often interfere with the actual implementation of practice change. Published practice guidelines are one source to direct practice; this article focuses on the use of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Clinical Practice Guidelines for Onc...

Oncology nurses play a pivotal role in the care of patients receiving chemotherapy and are in a prime position to facilitate better care of patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, to do so, they must be kept well apprised of the most recent guidelines, the latest developments in CINV therapy, and the expanding knowledge of CINV pathophysiology. In April 2...