The Effect of the Cancer Genetic Education Program for Nurses / 종양간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Advancing genetic knowledge for oncology nurses is especially important in Korea because physicians have launched to incorporate genetic risk assessment and genetic testing into their practice. The purpose of this paper was to identify the effect of the first academic cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling course for Korean nurses. METHODS: Thirty-five nurses were recruited and educated from June 8 to 14, 2006 in Seoul, Korea. Two measurement tools were used: 'knowledge about the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC)' and 'knowledge about the cancer genetics'. RESULTS: Students' score of knowledge about HBOC at pre-education was 12.22+/-2.23, and after education, it increased to 13.62+/-1.76. This change was statistically significant (t=-3.253, p=.003). The score of knowledge about cancer genetics at pre-education was 11.31+/-3.44, and after education it has increased to 16.17+/-1.94. It also was statistically significant (t=-6.92, p=.000). CONCLUSION: This program was effective to be a starting point for establishing genetic educational planning for the oncology nurses in Korea. This academically-based course is recognized as valuable by oncology nurses. With this new knowledge, nurses can begin to expand their role in delivering comprehensive cancer care services in Korea.