Oncology nurses' perceptions of their supportive care for parents with advanced cancer: challenges and educational needs

Abstract

Despite the emotional impact for children with a parent with advanced cancer, most families receive limited information and support to assist them. A project is underway to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of a supportive and educational intervention for parents with advanced cancer to be delivered by specially trained oncology nurses. To assess the perceptions of oncology nurses about this role, explore potential challenges, and understand their educational needs, oncology nurses were recruited from three metropolitan hospitals to participate in focus groups. This data was supplemented with data from individual interviews conducted with rurally based nurses unable to participate in focus groups held in a metropolitan location. Four focus groups were held, with 24 participants. Individual telephone interviews were conducted with five nurses. Nurses identified the emotional burden of the supportive care role as a key challenge, along with health care systems which were not attuned to the needs of families. Attention to self-care and professional confidence, and access to role-models emerged as key elements required in education, along with information about the impact of parental cancer on children and their developmental stages, and ways to promote more open parental communicate with children.

Shared recovery: Couples' experiences after treatment for colorectal cancer

“…Disparity between couples' experiences of treatment and follow-up was apparent, indicating that family support has yet to be adopted systematically rather than on an ad hoc basis (Turner et al, 2007). The study illustrated how ongoing availability of healthcare support and timely reassurance or advice could alleviate distress.…”

Supporting oncology health professionals: a review

“…However, complex dynamics may emerge in group discussion, including guilt and anger about clinical problems [45], indicating the need for expert facilitation [5]. Professionals may be reluctant to discuss their concerns with colleagues, instead of using avoidance as a means of coping [56]. In the absence of a culture of sharing concerns, individuals may feel that disclosure of concerns exposes them as being "weak".…”

“…However, this requires skilled and experienced facilitators who can provide support and encouragement for participants, as failure to provide a safe and supportive environment could lead to participants feeling vulnerable and exposed. Attention to professional confidence is also an area which merits attention in training, as lack of confidence is a key issue adversely affecting professional roles [56].…”

Burnout and the provision of psychosocial care amongst Australian cancer nurses

“…These difficulties are linked to a lack of psychosocial knowledge and skills amongst nurses (Delvaux et al, 1988). Nurses have reported difficulties in knowing what to say to patients, when to initiate discussions with patients and a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of cancer on families (Turner et al, 2007). Botti et al (2006) suggested that professional support in this area may be a way of improving job satisfaction amongst nurses.…”