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Priorities, barriers and facilitators for remote support of cancer symptoms: A survey of Canadian oncology nurses

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: A survey of 368 Canadian oncology nurses revealed that 54% provided remote support to oncology patients. The most common symptoms identified were fatigue, pain, nausea, constipation, and anxiety. Frequent symptoms which nurses felt low confidence in managing were anxiety, neuropathy, depression, anorexia and skin alterations. Most nurses agreed that guidelines were needed that were accessible, and improved continuity of care. Forty-three per cent of respondents felt that existing guidelines were inadequate for complex symptoms. Only 54% of respondents agreed they had received enough symptom management training. Common barriers included time constraints, obtaining accurate patient information via telephone, high workloads and knowledge or training deficits. Facilitating factors for provision of remote support included access to an electronic health record, accessible team members, available technology and ease of documentation.

Source: Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal

DOI: 10.5737/1181912x224235240

Authors: Gail Macartney, Dawn Stacey, Meg Carley, Margaret Harrison

Institutions: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Queen's University, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Partenariat Canadien Contre Le Cancer