Seminars in oncology nursing
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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 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.
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To describe the process of symptom management in the care of oncology patients with advanced cancer. ⋯ Effective symptom management requires that oncology nurses holistically assess the patient's symptom experience and goals of care, formulate specific symptom diagnoses, and develop, implement, and evaluate the outcomes of an evidence-based plan of care that is individualized and acceptable to the patient.