Seminars in oncology nursing
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To describe the goals of treatment, decision-making, incidence, and outcomes of surgical palliation in advanced cancer. ⋯ Oncology nurses practicing in clinical and research settings have a responsibility to arm themselves with knowledge related to the indications and options of palliative procedures, and the impact of surgery on quality of life for patients and families facing advanced cancer.
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To describe the importance of early integration of palliative care into cancer survivor care. To discuss common symptoms experienced by cancer survivors and how integration of palliative care can improve management. ⋯ The long-term and late effects of cancer survivors will best be provided for by knowledgeable nurses who can anticipate and integrate palliative care into survivorship care early in their treatment plan.
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To provide foundational knowledge about approaches to ethical decision-making that arise as part of palliative care of cancer patients and their families. ⋯ The increasingly complex healthcare environment makes it essential that nurses have an understanding of medical ethics and relevant federal and state laws so that this knowledge can be applied to the many issues arising in palliative and end-of-life care.
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To provide an overview of pediatric palliative care (PPC) as it relates to children and families living with oncologic disease. ⋯ Palliative care nursing holds a specific role in the pediatric oncology setting. Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses should be adequately trained in PPC because they are in an optimal role to contribute to interdisciplinary PPC for pediatric oncology patients and their families.
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To describe the evidence that palliative care, provided concurrently with disease-modifying treatment early in the course of a cancer diagnosis, can improve quality of life, length of survival, symptom burden, mood, and utilization of health services. ⋯ Oncology nurses can improve access by becoming knowledgeable about generalist palliative care and by advocating for local and national practice change.