Introduction
The field of oncology consists of many processes regarding the treatment of patients, such as different operations and surgery. However, one of them is permanent communication to provide psychological assistance and important information about the patient’s condition (Bradshaw et al., 2019). Using telehealth technology in oncology allows for qualitatively improved communication between nurse and patient by using the remote approach and to obtain the necessary data.
Quality Improvement Initiative Description
Modern treatments require healthcare professionals to adapt quickly to new technologies that improve healthcare. The telehealth approach was chosen as a quality improvement initiative, which was applied in my recent practice setting about oncology treatment. It is important to emphasize that oncology involves not only surgical intervention but constant patient support by healthcare providers, monitoring of their condition, and evaluation of the effects of the treatment (Mehra et al., 2022). Because in today’s world, after the coronavirus pandemic, active use, including in medicine, has acquired modern, remote technologies, it was essential to assess them in the field of cancer treatment. The method of telehealth allowed to communicate remotely with patients with oncology and qualitatively improved obtaining the necessary information and partial determination of further steps for necessary treatment (Mehra et al., 2022). Using technologies such as radio, mobile apps, and video cameras, nurses could take advantage of the remote healthcare of the telehealth initiative.
Nurse’s Role in the Project
The nurses played a crucial role in the development and implementation of the telehealth initiative, as they were the ones who directly communicated with and evaluated cancer patients. Nurses learned to use the abovementioned technologies from the telehealth approach to improving patients’ psychological support quality. In addition, they assessed various symptoms and treatment outcomes based on patient responses and well-being (Bradshaw et al., 2019). In addition, the nurses were involved in structuring the information they received, which made their role significant in the project.
The Outcome of the Project
The use of telehealth technology has given qualitative improvement to the process of obtaining information necessary for the treatment of cancer patients. In addition, the psychological state of patients has been improved through constant communication with them. It is important to stress that oncology greatly pressures the human psyche. Therefore, psychological and emotional support plays a vital role in treating the oncology sphere (Heidelbaugh, 2021). Telehealth has made it possible to maintain such communication both remotely and at a constant level. As a result, the outcome of the applied quality improvement initiative has been evaluated as positive, and telehealth is an effective technology in modern healthcare.
Sustainability of the Improvement
Considering the project’s sustainability, it is vital to highlight the different approaches used during communication with patients. For example, such methods as telehealth messaging apps have their drawbacks and should be investigated profoundly. As Heidelbaugh (2021) states, “although applications are promising, the potential of nonsynchronic messaging in the formal delivery of care is still in the neonatal phase…” (p. 10). On the other hand, technologies such as radio and television showed a high level of constant efficiency. In addition, it is essential to emphasize that sustainability of the telehealth in oncology will depend significantly on the correlation between remote communication and surgical interventions and operations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to emphasize that new medical approaches using modern technologies and software greatly simplify the work of healthcare providers, particularly nurses. The use of telehealth as a quality improvement initiative in the context of oncology has improved communication with patients. However, since oncology is a holistic approach that includes various types of patient care, it is vital to competently implement new technologies according to other stages of treatment.
References
Bradshaw, M. J., Hultquist, B. L., & Hagler, D. (2019). Innovative teaching strategies in nursing and related health professions. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Heidelbaugh, J. J. (2021). Telehealth: A multidisciplinary approach: Clinics collections. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Mehra, P. S., Goyal, L. M., Dagur, A., & Dwivedi, A. K. (2022). Healthcare systems and health informatics: Using internet of things. CRC Press.