Journal of pediatric oncology nursing : official journal of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses
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J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Nov 2017
Parents' Experience of Hope When Their Child Has Cancer: Perceived Meaning and the Influence of Health Care Professionals.
This study examined the role and importance of hopefulness for parents of children with cancer, how hope relates to parents' experience with the diagnosis, and the influence nurses and other health care professionals have on parents' hope. ⋯ Understanding parents' experiences validates the quality care and connections we make with children and families, and encourages us to consider the effects of our interactions. This underscores the importance of education and support as a means of instilling hope in parents, who are valued, critical members of their child's health care team.
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J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Nov 2017
Improving the Quality of End-of-Life Care in Pediatric Oncology Patients Through the Early Implementation of Palliative Care.
Providing end-of-life care to children with cancer is most ideally achieved by initiating palliative care at the time of diagnosis, advocating for supportive care throughout the treatment trajectory, and implementing hospice care during the terminal phase. The guiding principles behind offering palliative care to pediatric oncology patients are the prioritization of providing holistic care and management of disease-based symptoms. ⋯ There are barriers to implementing palliative care for children with cancer, including the need to clarify the palliative care philosophy, parental acknowledgement and acceptance of a child's disease and uncertain future, nursing awareness of services, perception of availability, and a shortage of research guidance. It is important for nurses and clinicians to have a clear understanding of the fundamentals of palliative and end-of-life care for pediatric oncology patients to receive the best care possible.
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J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Sep 2017
Implementation of a Pathway for the Treatment of Fever and Neutropenia in Pediatric Patients With Cancer.
Fever and neutropenia is an oncologic emergency. Time-to-antibiotics (TTA) refers to the amount of time from initial provider evaluation for fever and neutropenia to intravenous antibiotic administration. Research supports that rapid time-to-antibiotics (RTTA) is associated with improved patient outcomes. ⋯ Additionally, a preliminary lab test was utilized. Success of the implementation was evaluated through 2 measures: TTA and nurses' knowledge of fever and neutropenia and the importance of RTTA. The aims of this project were to improve TTA as well as nurses' knowledge of fever and neutropenia and the importance of RTTA, and both these aims were successfully attained.
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J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Jul 2017
Development of a mHealth Real-Time Pain Self-Management App for Adolescents With Cancer: An Iterative Usability Testing Study.
A user-centered design approach was used to refine the mHealth Pain Squad+ real-time pain self-management app for adolescents with cancer for its usability (defined as being easy to use, easy to understand, efficient to complete, and acceptable). ⋯ The multifaceted usability approach used provided insight into how a real-time app can be made acceptable to adolescents with cancer and succeeded in developing a Pain Squad+ app that is fit for future effectiveness testing.
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J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Jul 2017
"Stories Take Your Role Away From You": Understanding the Impact on Health Care Professionals of Viewing Digital Stories of Pediatric and Adolescent/Young Adult Oncology Patients.
The purpose of this philosophical hermeneutic study was to understand the effects on health care providers (HCPs) of watching digital stories made by (past and present) pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) oncology patients. Twelve HCPs participated in a focus group where they watched digital stories made by pediatric/AYA oncology patients and participated in a discussion related to the impact the stories had on them personally and professionally. ⋯ Digital stories, we conclude, can be an efficient and effective way through which to understand the patient experience, implications from which can range from more efficient patient care delivery to decision making. Recommendations for incorporating digital storytelling into healthcare delivery are offered.