Improving Cancer Patient Outcomes by Redesigning Chemotherapy Education

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Bobbie Jean Curkovic (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Advances in medicine and patient care coordination, has transitioned oncology care outside of the hospital and into ambulatory cancer centers. Despite initiatives to provide high-quality patient-centered coordinated-care, the complexity of cancer patients is challenging to healthcare institutions. The project goal was to improve the delivery of cancer patient education in a multidisciplinary ambulatory cancer center to enhance patients’ retention of knowledge regarding the disease, treatment, and management of side effects. A disease-specific seven phase psychoeducation model, led by an oncology certified nurse (OCN), was implemented. The population included all patients with a new genitourinary or malignant hematology cancer diagnosis being treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy or patients in these two disease groups who had a change in their treatment medication. Each phase of the model was guided by a worksheet to standardize the education continent at each encounter. Data was collected over 18 weeks. A total of 98 patients received chemotherapy education through this model, 69 were genitourinary oncology patients and 29 were malignant hematology. Only 4 of the total patients went to the Emergency Department after receiving chemotherapy outpatient 30 days prior for one of the CMS measured diagnoses. Both disease groups exceeded national benchmarks for how well staff explained how to manage chemotherapy side effects, how well staff explained what to expect during chemotherapy, and those who felt they were able to participate in decisions about their care. This proactive approach to chemotherapy education allows nurses to provide teaching and anticipatory guidance regarding cancer and its treatment, including symptoms and side effects, who to call, and what to expect. The more informed a patient is about their cancer treatment, the more patients share information such as their symptoms and concerns\; this contributes to greater patient and provider satisfaction as well as a reduction in repeat hospitalizations and visits to emergency departments.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

Chemotherapy;Immunotherapy;Antineoplasty;Education;Instruction;Ambulation

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