Abstract 5769
Background
Information about chemotherapy is complex. Access to information prior to treatment enables patients to gain a better understanding of their condition, lessen their concerns and enables them to make informed choices about treatment. Traditionally chemotherapy education was provided by oncology clinical nurse specialists (CNS) on an individual basis to patients before they started chemotherapy. Increasing numbers of patients and reduced staff resources lead to problems maintaining service. The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Centres are committed to quality improvement across cancer services available to those affected by cancer. Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) and the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Centre collaborated on a group chemotherapy initiative in 2012 initiated in response to a high demand for education services. After a successful pilot the programme is now running in 8 hospitals across Ireland. In 2018 342 group education sessions were held with 1713 attendees.
Methods
The Cancer Nurse in the Daffodil Centre facilitates this programme using educational tools including a specially produced audiovisual support (DVD) and short oral and practical demonstrations to assist different learning styles. To conclude the CNS meets with the patients to discuss their individual plan. All attendees are asked to complete an evaluation form which is inputted into a database and the results collated.
Results
1217 completed the evaluation out of 1713 attendees. A number of themes emerged including: • Welcoming • Good information • Allayed concerns • Empowerment. Acknowledgement of the expertise of the nurse and other allied healthcare professionals who present at the session – medical social workers and dietitians.
Conclusions
Overall satisfaction levels were very high in the programme including the information and content on the DVD and the information received and the way it was explained by the nurse. Of those who left comments they were very positive about the experience and for the opportunity to attend. By attending the session patients and their relative/friends were made to feel welcome. Their knowledge of chemotherapy and its side effects were greatly increased and their fears of commencing treatment were in many ways alleviated.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The author.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
5056 - Phase 2 study of 2 dosing regimens of cemiplimab, a human monoclonal anti–PD-1, in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mCSCC)
Presenter: Danny Rischin
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5710 - Avelumab for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma in the Netherlands; a nationwide survey
Presenter: Sonja Levy
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3152 - Health-related quality of life in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma receiving second-line or later avelumab treatment: 36-month follow-up data
Presenter: Sandra D'Angelo
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5715 - A Phase 2, Randomized Study of Nivolumab (NIVO) and Ipilimumab (IPI) versus NIVO, IPI and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC, NCT03071406) – a preliminary report.
Presenter: Sungjune Kim
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2854 - Real-world impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic uveal melanoma
Presenter: Kalijn Bol
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2928 - Immune checkpoint inhibitors in a cohort of 206 metastatic uveal melanomas patients
Presenter: Mathilde Saint-Ghislain
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1235 - Incidence and survival of Uveal Melanoma occurring as single cancer versus its occurrence as a first or second primary neoplasm
Presenter: Ahmad Alfaar
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3615 - Validation of a Clinicopathological and Gene Expression Profile (CP-GEP) Model for Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma
Presenter: Evalyn Mulder
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1793 - External validation of the 8th Edition Melanoma Staging System of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program
Presenter: Angelina Tjokrowidjaja
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4278 - Clinical factors and overall survival (OS) associated with patterns of metastases (mets) in melanoma patients (pts).
Presenter: Ines Pires da Silva
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract