Chan, E. A., Tsang, P. L., Ching, S. S. Y., Wong, F. Y., & Lam, W. (2019). Nurses’ perspectives on their communication with patients in busy oncology wards: A qualitative study. PloS One, 14(10), e0224178. Web.
In this work, the authors conducted a qualitative interview to examine cancer care nurses’ perceptions of their communication with patients via focus groups and personal interviews. The results indicated three themes: Managing an emotionally challenging setting, intentional and inadvertent psychosocial care and mentoring and learning. Chan et al. (2019) concluded that despite the value of junior nurses having experience in oncology treatment, it is essential for all nurses to understand and reflect on the various forms of emotional labor. This resource is relevant for policy formulation regarding psychological concerns among oncology nurses, which can be founded on improved education on emotional issues among nurses.
Hanley, L. M. (2023). Talking with patients about potential cancer misinformation. Oncology Nursing News. Web.
This article entails a general overview of cancer information among the general public, including the potential misinformation and associated risks. Hanley (2023) finds three key misconceptions: Breast cancer is brought on by aluminum-based antiperspirants, sugar “feeds” cancer and encourages its expansion, and eating a specific diet can treat cancer. The author concludes that successful oncology nursing rests on correcting these myths. The relevance of this resource rests in the ability to discern misinformation and focus on public education for improved outcomes.
Hopia, H., & Heino-Tolonen, T. (2019). Families in pediatric oncology nursing: Critical incidents from the nurses’ perspective. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 44, e28-e35. Web.
In this article, the authors conducted an in-depth, qualitative study using a phenomenological methodology in which pediatric oncologists from three separate hospitals shared their accounts of life-or-death situations involving families. The findings showed three areas where significant incidents take place: The capacity and resources of families, the parenting style, and Emotional labor in pediatric oncology nursing (Hopia & Heino-Tolonen, 2019). The authors concluded that issues with patients’ families can be stressful, unclear, and emotionally taxing for oncology nurses. This article is relevant to nursing oncology as it shows how oncology nurses struggle to deal with patients’ families, informing intervention plans for improved outcomes.
Morrissey, L., Lurvey, M., Sullivan, C., Challinor, J., Forbes, P. W., Abramovitz, L.,… & Day, S. (2019). Disparities in the delivery of pediatric oncology nursing care by country income classification: International survey results. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 66(6), e27663. Web.
In this article, the authors performed a global survey in 2016–2017 to investigate the relationship between national income level and nurses’ adherence to standards at their different institutions, in relation to oncology studies. The major finding was that inpatient ward Country Income Classification (CIC) and nurse-to-patient ratios had a high correlation (P 0.0001). Morrissey et al. (2019) conclude that CIC and the capacity to adhere to pediatric oncology minimum standards of care were highly correlated in a number of baseline standard components, which is probably why outcomes for patients in L/LMIC were less than ideal. This article is relevant for clinical oncology as it indicates how patient outcomes can be improved by facilitating nurses’ adherence to clinical standards.
Ochayon, L., Spiro, H., & Kadmon, I. (2020). Expectations versus reality: improvement of symptom control and quality of life of oncology patients using medical cannabis. Clinical Journal of Nursing Care and Practice, 4, 027-031. 1. Web.
This study was conducted at a cancer clinic in a medical center in Israel following comparative research that involved patients who had been given permission to use medical cannabis. The key finding of the self-administered questionnaires was that the majority of patients claimed that using medicinal cannabis helped them regulate their symptoms, however, their expectations were generally a little higher than what they actually experienced. The authors concluded that despite the side effects involved, cannabis is helpful to patients. This article is relevant in the study of pain relievers and critical interventions in nursing oncology.
Shen, Y., Nilmanat, K., & Promnoi, C. (2019). Palliative care nursing competence of Chinese oncology nurses and its related factors. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 21(5), 404-411. Web.
This article entails a cross-sectional study to define the palliative care competency of oncology nurses and to investigate the connections between it and palliative care expertise, attitudes, and working conditions for learning. The key finding was that knowledge and workplace learning conditions were positively correlated with competence, but attitudes were not. Shen et al. (2019) concluded that oncology nurses’ proficiency in palliative care has to be increased. It is advised that improving learning environments in hospitals would be a key factor in boosting competency. This article is relevant as it provides fundamental facts that can contribute to improved expertise among oncology nurses.