Oncology nursing forum
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To present an overview of policy issues affecting hospice and palliative care focusing on the nursing home and hospital settings and to discuss factors affecting end-of-life care, policy initiatives, recent legislation, and nursing implications. ⋯ Nurses play a key role in advancing improvements in palliative and end-of-life care through their involvement in educational, quality improvement, research, and legislative initiatives. Nursing activities in these areas may contribute to improved access, lower costs, and improved quality of care in advanced illness.
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Oncology nursing forum · Nov 2002
Clinical TrialSymptom distress and quality of life in patients with cancer newly admitted to hospice home care.
To evaluate the relationships between quality of life (QOL) and symptom distress, pain intensity, dyspnea intensity, and constipation intensity in people with advanced cancer who were newly admitted to hospice home care. ⋯ The symptoms most commonly reported and those that cause the greatest patient distress should be addressed first by hospice nurses. Continued effort is needed in the important area of symptom management.
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Oncology nursing forum · Nov 2002
The experience of using decisional support aids by patients with breast cancer.
To explore the lived experience of patients with breast cancer using decisional support aids during the prediagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment phases of their disease. ⋯ Oncology nurses need to be aware of and understand the issues surrounding the decision-making process of patients with breast cancer. Gaps clearly exist in the information and support provided to these participants. Nurses must target areas that are insufficient in providing decisional support aids and plan for partnerships to ensure a multidisciplinary approach in this process.
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Oncology nursing forum · Oct 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialThe usefulness of a daily pain management diary for outpatients with cancer-related pain.
To describe the usefulness of daily pain management diaries to outpatients with cancer who participated in a randomized clinical trial of the PRO-SELF Pain Control Program. ⋯ Research-based evidence supports the importance of using a daily pain management diary in clinical practice.
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Oncology nursing forum · Jul 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialIntervention to improve psychological functioning for newly diagnosed patients with cancer.
To test the effects of a computer-based nursing intervention designed to provide patients and family caregivers with concrete, objective information on symptom management; provide education about disease and treatment; coordinate medical resources; and provide emotional support and counseling. ⋯ This nurse-directed intervention resulted in improved mental health for patients; however, physical subscales were not changed. Further work is needed to determine why depression and mental health were affected yet physical health and symptoms did not differ between groups. Results support the important role of nurses in addressing mental health issues in patients and families experiencing cancer.