Support Needs in Oncology Patients by Anna Linton

Abstract

Purpose: Identify support needs in oncology patients to understand what resources should be available.

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. These individuals’ physical and mental struggles must be addressed to provide holistic care.

Methods: Over a two-week study, patients were asked to fill out a consent form, patient demographic sheet, peer-reviewed support screening tool, and patient satisfaction survey. Support items were analyzed regarding the entire sample’s response compared to the office manager and nurse practitioner responses and by group according to the cancer diagnosis. Participant’s thoughts on the support tool were also analyzed by looking at the patient
satisfaction survey.

Results: Fifty patients participated in the study. Of the 50, 42 (84.0%) indicated concern in at least one support criterion. The top concern among the fifty participants was disease information, with 19 (38%) in the yellow or red zone. The leading type of cancer in the study, lymphoma, ranked resources available as the highest concern. Lastly, 98% of participants identified the screening tool as easy to fill out.

Conclusion: Implementation of the screening tool was feasible for both the participants and staff. As the goal is to have no individual in the red zone for any support area, implementation of the tool would allow for individualized care to address these identified concerns. Standardized screening tools can help patients express support needs early and receive individualized interventions related to needs.

Keywords: Oncology, Cancer, Support Needs

Presentation

Biography

Anna Linton is a senior in the nursing program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In her free time, Anna likes to play with her dog Leo, hang out with friends, travel, read, attend concerts, and listen to podcasts. Anna will graduate this December and has accepted a job in the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program through Novant Health. Anna is extremely passionate about healthcare and has experience working as a Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA) for over two years, and she is excited about her future as a nurse. Anna hopes to further her studies and sees herself as a nurse practitioner and eventually teaching nursing students.

Faculty Committee Advisor(s)

Dr. Tiffany Jackson, DNP, NP-C, ACHPN

Susan Lynch PhD, RN, CNE