title: Taking practice forward in paediatric oncology: the impact of a newly developed education programme for nurses working in shared-care hospitals.
abstract: Fundamental to any change or development in health care is the quality of the service received by patients and their families. Practitioner-led initiatives that are designed to improve the quality of care are more likely to succeed if they are underpinned with appropriate educational input. A structured programme in paediatric oncology nursing was developed to meet the needs of nurses working in District General Hospitals. Nurses' perceptions of the consequences of undertaking the programme were explored using a focus group approach. Findings have shown that there have been significant changes to nurses' roles and this in turn has had an impact on the individual and the organization. It was perceived that there are positive outcomes for both the service and quality of care for children with cancer and their families. The shared-care nurses believe that this has been the result of improved knowledge, skill and expertise, better communication between care providers, and the collaborative frameworks which have evolved.
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton School of Nuring & Midwifery, Hants.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hooker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milburn