Role of the nurse in patient education and follow-up of people receiving oral chemotherapy treatment: an international survey.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Kav
Sultan
S
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Baskent University, Baglica Kampusu, Eskisehir Yolu 20 km., Baglica, Ankara, Turkey. skav@baskent.edu.tr
Johnson
Judi
J
Rittenberg
Cynthia
C
Fernadez-Ortega
Paz
P
Suominen
Tarja
T
Olsen
Pia Riis
PR
Patiraki
Elisabeth
E
Porock
Davina
D
Dahler
Annette
A
Toliusiene
Jolanta
J
Tadic
Dusanka
D
Pittayapan
Pongpak
P
Roy
Vijay
V
Wang
Qi
Q
Colak
Meric
M
Saca-Hazboun
Hanan
H
Makumi
David
D
Kadmon
Ilana
I
Ami
Sarah Ben
SB
Anderson
Elsie
E
Clark-Snow
Rebecca
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005060:Europe; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007802:Language; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014481:United States
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents