Oncology nurses' use of the Internet for continuing education: a survey of Oncology Nursing Society Congress attendees.

A publication and continuing education company conducted a survey at the 23rd Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress to determine whether nurses are using the Internet and, if so, for what purposes. Survey results revealed that oncology nurses are using the Internet for a variety of educational purposes, which include drug information, literature searches, academic information, continuing education, and patient education. Continuing education providers should continue to pursue the Internet as a means of meeting the needs of oncology nurses for quick, up-to-date information in their field. There is a need for further documentation on the use of the Internet by nurses for continuing education, including topics and program formats that would be most beneficial.

The impact of health care changes on home health.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of the economic impact of changes on home care services. DATA SOURCES: Published articles and organizational and government reports pertaining to home care and health care economics. CONCLUSIONS: In general, home care organizations are struggling to survive and retain fiscal stability. Understanding the economic impact of change on home care services is facilitated by a better understanding of three major components: the insurance company, the home health service agency, and the client. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The home health nurse who chose this care setting for role autonomy and family-centered direct care must now be concerned about productivity, costs, and reimbursement. Oncology nurses need to provide administrators and financial officers with the information to provide services in the most cost-effective manner, and be advocates for the provision of quality care.

Factors associated with anger in cancer patients and their caregivers.

In this descriptive, longitudinal study, the authors explored the emotional symptom of anger among cancer patients and their caregivers at home. Anger was measured using an abbreviated version of the Siegel Multidimensional Anger Inventory during three interviews over a 6-month period. The sample consisted of 165 adults with solid tumors and 73 caregivers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to measure the severity of anger and its association with selected demographic factors, symptom distress, functional status, physical caregiving responsibilities, and depression. Findings included overall low, stable anger scores for both patients and their caregivers; and significant associations among anger and symptom distress, age, depression, and church attendance for patients. These findings suggest that anger may be perceived as an unacceptable emotion and may appear in other forms such as symptom distress and depression. Alternative ways for measuring anger need examination and patients and caregivers may need guidance in addressing their anger.

Economic concerns in the changing health care delivery system.

The economics of health care increasingly dictate care parameters with cancer care bearing a significant share of the burden because of its chronicity, hospital intensiveness, and lack of standard treatment approaches. A wide variety of effects have surfaced as changes in health care economics have been implemented. Increased emphasis on cost effectiveness, competition, shorter hospital stays, and threatened reimbursement for investigational therapies influence both providers and patients. We outline avenues for responsiveness.