title: Management of oral anticancer drugs: feasibility and patient approval of a specific monitoring program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral anticancer drugs are an attractive treatment option, even if patient-focused education and specific nursing staff are needed to support home care intervention. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of a nurse monitoring program for patients taking oral chemotherapy, and to evaluate the patients' approval of the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  At the beginning of oral chemotherapy treatment, outpatients completed a specific form so that we could assess their comprehension of the information related to therapy. Nurses gave patients a diary to record drug intake and toxicity at home, and phone calls were planned to evaluate toxicity or modification of the treatment plan during the first and second cycles of therapy. Finally, patients were requested to complete a specific form to express their level of agreement with the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-one patients were included in the analysis. Nurse intervention at the beginning of therapy resulted in an increased proportion of patients having received correct information related to treatment, with a level of confidence rising to more than 90% for all items considered. One hundred ninety-one of 243 planned phone calls were made, corresponding to 78.6% of the planned activity. The diary proved a valid tool for patients and 144 of 153 diaries were completed at home (94%). Only 5 patients (6%) had unplanned hospital admission for toxicity, probably because of early intervention by nursing staff. Only 2 out of 63 patients expressed a negative opinion, while the remaining patients expressed their approval of the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our model proved practicable and accepted by patients, thus supporting the role of nurse intervention in training and monitoring patients receiving oral chemotherapy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Cirillo
authors: Gianluigi
authors: G
authors: Lunardi
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Coati
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Ciccarelli
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Alestra
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Mariotto
authors: Beniamino
authors: B
authors: Micheloni
authors: Paola Agnese
authors: PA
authors: Cassandrini
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Inno
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Magarotto
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Nicodemo
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Picece
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Turazza
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Gori
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Venturini
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D032882:Comprehension; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009726:Nurses; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013689:Telephone; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents