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.
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.
Skrutkowski
Myriam
M
Department of Nursing, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada. myriam.skrutkowski@muhc.mcgill.ca
Saucier
Andréanne
A
Eades
Margaret
M
Swidzinski
Marika
M
Ritchie
Judith
J
Marchionni
Caroline
C
Ladouceur
Martin
M
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