Bridging the information and support gap: evaluation of a hospital-based cancer support nurse service

Evaluation of a hospital-based cancer information and support centre

“…As indicated by our study findings, an experienced and qualified CSN in a hospital-based CISC is ideally positioned to deliver tailored education to support both inpatient and ambulatory care services and to enhance a seamless transition from one setting to the other. The positive benefits of contact with the CSN include: being able to introduce the service and to screen for initial and ongoing supportive care needs; providing ongoing tailored information and emotional support with early referral to hospital-based services and information about and referral to community support services as required [35]. In our study, the CISC was identified by participants as a valuable service for the hospital to have and an important component of information and support for them.…”

Medical information delivered to patients: Discrepancies concerning roles as perceived by physicians and nurses set against patient satisfaction

“…Yet in hospital settings, communication is not centred on individual interviews between physician and patient, and delivery of information to patients also involves other health professionals, each in his or her own area of competence. Several studies, in particular in the field of care provision for cancer patients, have underlined the major role played by nurses in rewording and re-explaining, but also in informing and assisting patients in taking their part in medical decisions that concern them [25,26]. Leiter [27] has shown the importance of the influence of nursing practices, and that this influence ''is not limited to patient satisfaction with nursing care, [but also] affects patient satisfaction with care provided by doctors, information provided, and coordination of care''.…”

Information and support needs of callers to the Cancer Helpline, The Cancer Council Victoria

“…The service also appears to have a positive impact on behavioural, cognitive and affective outcomes. Interestingly, the vast majority of patients believed that the service provided by the cancer support nurse could not be done as well, or better, by telephone (Roberts et al . 2002).…”

“…In a demonstration project, 80% of women with breast cancer believed that specialist breast care nurses made a significant contribution to their care and 99% reported they would recommend seeking treatment at a centre that provided a breast care nurse (Specialist Breast Care Nurse Project Team 2000). Similarly CISS has helped develop and evaluate the role of the hospital-based cancer support nurse (Roberts et al 2002). The majority of patients perceive this service to be appropriate and believe that they gain both information and support.…”