Trends in clinical practice and nurses' attitudes about fertility preservation for pediatric patients with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To examine trends in fertility preservation attitudes and behaviors of pediatric oncology nurses and evaluate their awareness of fertility preservation guidelines published in June 2006 by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).


METHODS
Cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2005 and 2006.


METHODS
Annual meetings of the Florida Association of Pediatric Tumor Programs.


METHODS
115 pediatric oncology nurses in 2005 and 95 nurses in 2006.


METHODS
A 45-item survey was distributed to conference attendees.


METHODS
Knowledge, current fertility preservation practices, and awareness of fertility preservation guidelines.


RESULTS
Nurses' attitudes about fertility preservation discussions with patients did not change during the survey period; however, the number of nurses believing that one of their duties was to discuss fertility preservation with patients decreased from 91% in 2005 to 81% in 2006. Nurses' likelihood to discuss fertility preservation with patients with specific characteristics significantly changed over time. Fertility preservation discussions were just as likely for single patients as they were for those married or recently engaged, although nurses were more likely to discuss fertility preservation with patients who had at least one child or who had a poor prognosis. Nurses' awareness of ASCO guidelines was less than 5%.


CONCLUSIONS
A majority of nurses perceive that fertility preservation options should be offered to patients. However, practice and patient family barriers exist that may impede discussion. Attitudes and behaviors will be monitored with the 2006 ASCO guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play a key role in survivorship discussions for pediatric patients with cancer and their families. Increased knowledge of fertility preservation guidelines may help promote the fertility preservation concept and lead to improved dissemination and implementation of training programs that focus on current ASCO fertility preservation guidelines and address the psychosocial needs of children aged 12-16 years.
Clayton
Heather
H
Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and Department of Community and Family Health in College of Public Health at University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
Quinn
Gwendolyn P
GP
Lee
Ji-Hyun
JH
King
Lindsey M
LM
Miree
Cheryl A
CA
Nieder
Michael
M
Vadaparampil
Susan T
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic