title: Oncology nurses' knowledge of survivorship care planning: the need for education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey nurses about their knowledge of cancer survivorship care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Midwestern comprehensive cancer center.
  
  
  METHODS
  223 registered and advanced practice nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online survey of survivorship knowledge using a 50-item questionnaire derived from the Institute of Medicine report and related publications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concepts of survivorship care and common long-term symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most nurses reported having knowledge about healthy lifestyle habits; more than 50% of nurses reported having knowledge about chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, as well as side effects of fatigue, depression, limitations of daily activities, and weight gain; less than 50% of nurses reported having knowledge of impact on family, biologic agents, lymphedema, immunizations or vaccinations, and osteoporosis screening; less than 40% of nurses reported having knowledge about marital and partner relationships, osteoporosis prevention and care, sexuality, side effects of bone marrow transplantation, employment issues, and angiogenesis agents; and less than 25% of nurses reported having knowledge on genetic risks, as well as fertility, financial, and insurance issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses at an academic comprehensive cancer center reported gaps in knowledge consistent with previous studies about knowledge of survivorship care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Institute of Medicine has challenged oncology providers to address cancer survivorship care planning. Gaps in cancer survivorship knowledge are evident and will require focused education for this initiative to be successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
authors.forename: Joanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.affiliation: James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH.
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wessels
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
authors.forename: Yoonsuh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors
keywords: continuing education; late effects of cancer treatment; rehabilitation; survivorship; undergraduate nursing education