Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to explore the nursing role in education and follow-up of patients who were taking oral chemotherapy (CT) and to identify the worldwide gap in patient education about oral CT.
Materials and methods
Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer members were invited to participate in a survey on oral CT. Nurse coordinators collected data via a 16-item questionnaire. Respondents totaled 1115 oncology nurses from 15 countries.
Results
Findings showed that about half of subjects work in outpatient/ambulatory clinics and had given at least two or more oral CT drugs. Although 52% had some type of guidelines/protocols, 47% reported not having received any education about oral CT drugs. While 64% report being involved in patient education, 58% of subjects indicated lack of patient education materials that are specific for oral CT agents. Only 27% stated that they gave all necessary information such as when and how to take the drugs, drug safety and storage, side effects, and symptom management. Reasons for not being involved in oral CT education and follow-up included beliefs that the physician plans the oral CT and gives patients necessary instructions (34%), that nurses only see patients who receive intravenous chemotherapy (16%), that nurses have lack of knowledge about oral agents (15%), and belief that physicians are responsible for patient follow-up. The nurses suggested better education and follow-up of patients to include the written patient education materials (33%) and professional education for nurses (30%).
Conclusions
Findings revealed the need for professional education for nurses to ensure comprehensive, consistent patient education and development of written materials for patients receiving oral CT treatment.
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Change history
13 January 2024
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08318-4
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all the nurses who responded to this study, members of the MASCC Education Study Group, and MASCC for their financial support. We would also like to acknowledge Anita Nirenberg, RN, MS, CNP, AOCN for reviewing the manuscript. This study has been supported by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC).
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Kav, S., Johnson, J., Rittenberg, C. et al. Role of the nurse in patient education and follow-up of people receiving oral chemotherapy treatment: an International survey. Support Care Cancer 16, 1075–1083 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0377-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0377-x