title: Role of the nurse in patient education and follow-up of people receiving oral chemotherapy treatment: an international survey.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Baskent University, Baglica Kampusu, Eskisehir Yolu 20 km., Baglica, Ankara, Turkey. skav@baskent.edu.tr
authors.forename: Sultan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kav
authors.forename: Judi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rittenberg
authors.forename: Paz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernadez-Ortega
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.forename: Pia Riis
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patiraki
authors.forename: Davina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Porock
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dahler
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toliusiene
authors.forename: Dusanka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tadic
authors.forename: Pongpak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pittayapan
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meric
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colak
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saca-Hazboun
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Makumi
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kadmon
authors.forename: Sarah Ben
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ami
authors.forename: Elsie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clark-Snow
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents