CN9 - Communicating with patients in modern cancer care

Background

Following the introduction of breast cancer patients into a women’s health ward the Breast CNS team needed to develop teaching sessions to upskill ward nurses in breast cancer care. COVID-19 meant that traditional face to face teaching was not broadly possible in health care ( Haslam 2021 ). A new digital approach was required.

Methods

Electronic survey to establish challenges and learning needs communicating with breast cancer patients pre and post delivery of online teaching to 19 members of nursing ward team. This was followed up with a patient questionnaire.

Results

Pre teaching survey 14/19 nurses identified communicating with cancer patients and supporting them emotionally as a key area of concern. The most frequently identified aspect of concern was how to support patients emotionally, diagnosis and prognosis. 12/19 lacked confidence in drain/wound management. 11/20 nurses were unsure where patients could access support post surgery. Post teaching survey All 15 of the respondents reported increased level of confidence in wound and drain management and communication around discharge planning. However, the majority of nurses still felt unsure around some aspects of communication in supporting patients emotionally. Further a patient questionnaire to 32 inpatients at UCLH echoed the nursing challenges 9/32 listing that their emotional needs were not well identified and 9/32 did not feel confident managing drains at home.

Conclusions

The digital teaching package provided improved skills and confidence in practical aspects of care around wound/drain management and discharge planning. Despite this a number of patients 9/32 report they are still lacking confidence in drain management. Complex communication in highly emotive areas is more challenging and requires further support. Many patients also identified that they were not asked about concerns during their in-patient stay (9/32). It is easier for nurses to access learning from a remote location which helped to reach greater numbers, and information can be accessed on demand for improved flexibility. Actions The teaching package is being adapted and re-evaluated to focus further on challenging communication scenarios. The CNS team are in the process of developing new approaches in building confidence in drain care.

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.