UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Many patients are prescribed oral cancer agents but are not receiving nursing education as they do when beginning IV chemotherapy. Many nurses lack scientific understanding of molecular targeted agents. A program was developed to provide science which would empower nurses to assess and intervene in the management of novel side effects. Methods: Six nurses from different practice settings recognized by nurse managers as expert patient educators were selected to participate in a “Nurse Champion” dinner program. Nurses were expected to review literature, evaluate their patients and participate in group discussions. A nurse educator presented the basic science of molecular targeted therapies. Results: The initial program met the first goal of educating nurses about emerging science. The second goal of side effect management was met during sharing of best practices which also included the importance of seeing all patients before they go home when oral agents are prescribed. Nurses, many of whom did not know each other, exchanged e-mail addresses, returned to their practice settings to become the “Champion” point person. A follow up dinner was held 6 months later, with nurses leading discussion. The over whelming assessment of the “Champion” program was the nurses felt empowered by their new scientific knowledge and their sharing of best practices. Their physicians appreciated having an appointed point person to which to refer their patients for information. Nurses, physicians, and patients benefited by nurses identifying a problem, a nurse educator to explain the science and nurses with diverse background and different practice settings sharing best practices.