Increasing the visibility of patient fatigue.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the process used by our cancer center to assess staff knowledge and attitudes about cancer-related fatigue, and to change clinical practice of fatigue assessment and management.


METHODS
Review articles, research studies, guidelines, and questionnaires.


CONCLUSIONS
Change in clinical practice occurs slowly. One major change that occurred was the inclusion of a fatigue question in the Daily Patient Care Record. This inclusion signified a commitment by the institution to address this under-reported and under-treated symptom.


CONCLUSIONS
Professionals challenged to pursue practice change must be passionate, persistent, and patient. A multidisciplinary effort is needed to support change.
Dean
Grace E
GE
Department of Nursing Research and Education, City of Hope National Cancer Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
Stahl
Cindy
C
D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires