title: Impact of a pivot nurse in oncology on patients with lung or breast cancer: symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and use of healthcare resources.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact on continuity of nursing care delivered by a pivot nurse in oncology to improve symptom relief and outcomes for patients with lung or breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 93) with care by a pivot nurse in oncology and usual care by clinic nurses or to a control group (n = 97) with usual care only.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three outpatient ambulatory oncology clinics in a large university health center in Quebec, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  113 patients with lung cancer and 77 patients with breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in both groups completed the Symptom Distress Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General version 4 at eight intervals over six months. Healthcare usage was evaluated through a review of hospital records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Symptom distress, fatigue level, quality of life, and healthcare usage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Researchers found no significant differences in symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and healthcare usage between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new nursing role did not have an impact on the patient outcomes under study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experienced nurses with specialized knowledge of oncology symptom assessment and management may reduce the symptom burden experienced by ambulatory patients with breast or lung cancer during active treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada. myriam.skrutkowski@muhc.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skrutkowski
authors.forename: Andréanne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saucier
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eades
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swidzinski
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marchionni
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ladouceur
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009732:Nursing Care; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011788:Quality of Life; D011792:Quebec; D012720:Severity of Illness Index