Evidence and Practice
Pre-assessment for improving self-efficacy in patients in systemic anticancer therapy
Do mindfulness interventions reduce burnout in oncology nurses? A literature review
Exploring the value of end-of-treatment clinics for teenagers and young adults
Clinical
Pre-assessment for improving self-efficacy in patients in systemic anticancer therapy
This article reports the findings of an evaluation of a group pre-assessment workshop
Do mindfulness interventions reduce burnout in oncology nurses? A literature review
Why you should read this article: • To recognise that oncology nurses often initially experience high levels of compassion satisfaction, but are also at risk of burnout • To identify how a variety of mindfulness interventions can improve oncology nurses’ emotional well-being and reduce the risk of burnout • To be aware that managing staff’s emotional health and well-being is a shared organisational and individual responsibility Nursing patients with cancer is associated with a high level of intensity of emotional engagement, which can result in compassion fatigue and burnout, with nurses leaving the profession as a result. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment to improve health and well-being. This literature review sought to answer the question: ‘do mindfulness interventions reduce burnout in oncology nurses?’ A systematic database search was undertaken and seven articles were included in this review. Three main themes arose from content analysis of the articles: overall effectiveness of a diverse range of interventions; physical and psychological effect on nurses including skills acquisition to improve resilience; and the practicalities of using emotional support interventions. Mindfulness interventions can reduce levels of compassion fatigue and burnout in oncology nurses, and in practice these nurses can use the techniques learned to reduce stress and to support them in coping with challenging situations. Thus, such interventions can reduce the emotional cost of caring, reduce staff absences due to ill health and reduce the number of nurses leaving the profession or department.
Exploring the value of end-of-treatment clinics for teenagers and young adults
Recognising the needs of teenagers and young people at the end of their cancer treatment
Factors affecting patients’ decision-making about treatment for cancer
A literature review on providing patients with information on cancer treatments
Setting up an advisory group to explore the role of partners of adolescents and young...
Recognising the value of public patient involvement for people undergoing treatment
Improving cancer survivorship in the deaf community: a bespoke cancer information event
Evaluation of a project for deaf people accessing information on cancer survivorship
CPD articles
Protecting nurses against the risks of occupational exposure to systemic anticancer...
A reflection on health risks associated with handling systemic anticancer therapy agents
Abemaciclib▼ for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal...
Use of CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitors in patients with breast cancer
Oral care of patients in the cancer setting
Oral complications can cause distress, long-term complications and increased morbidity
A nurse-led review of patient experience for development of quality services
A systematic approach for nurses at any level or experience to engage with service evaluation
Enhancing well-being and building resilience in people living with cancer part 2: a...
Receiving a new diagnosis of cancer or of its recurrence is distressing and there are increasing numbers of people living with the disease, some taking continuous treatment, as well as others who have been cured. Living with cancer and the possibility of recurrence requires psychological strength to deal with the treatment, effects of the illness and uncertainty about the future. The attributes of self-efficacy and psychological well-being can reduce the effects of chronic stress. Excellent symptom control is essential and fatigue, the most prevalent and often most distressing symptom for those with cancer, requires targeted support. Well-being and psychological resilience may be improved by specific actions and psychological approaches, some of which are encompassed by Foresight Mental Capital and Well-being Project’s (2008) five ways to well-being framework, which can be used to deliver personalised care. This is the second of a two-part article that reviews interventions promoting well-being and resilience in patients living with cancer. It describes the framework and suggests practical ways in which clinicians can integrate it and other interventions into clinical practice. It also offers time out exercises and a multiple choice quiz to aid readers’ learning and test their knowledge.
Developing best practice cancer treatment summary templates
There is increasing recognition of the importance of making the Recovery Package available to more people affected by cancer. The cancer treatment summary is one of the core components of the Recovery Package and aims to improve communication between secondary and primary care, and help patients manage their care following treatment. The Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance is developing a suite of best practice treatment summary templates for each cancer site to improve the quality of the information in the documents, and to support cancer teams to begin the process of introducing them to practice.