Role of the nurse in patient education and follow-up of people receiving oral chemotherapy treatment: an international survey.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the nursing role in education and follow-up of patients who were taking oral chemotherapy (CT) and to identify the worldwide gap in patient education about oral CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer members were invited to participate in a survey on oral CT. Nurse coordinators collected data via a 16-item questionnaire. Respondents totaled 1115 oncology nurses from 15 countries. RESULTS: Findings showed that about half of subjects work in outpatient/ambulatory clinics and had given at least two or more oral CT drugs. Although 52% had some type of guidelines/protocols, 47% reported not having received any education about oral CT drugs. While 64% report being involved in patient education, 58% of subjects indicated lack of patient education materials that are specific for oral CT agents. Only 27% stated that they gave all necessary information such as when and how to take the drugs, drug safety and storage, side effects, and symptom management. Reasons for not being involved in oral CT education and follow-up included beliefs that the physician plans the oral CT and gives patients necessary instructions (34%), that nurses only see patients who receive intravenous chemotherapy (16%), that nurses have lack of knowledge about oral agents (15%), and belief that physicians are responsible for patient follow-up. The nurses suggested better education and follow-up of patients to include the written patient education materials (33%) and professional education for nurses (30%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings revealed the need for professional education for nurses to ensure comprehensive, consistent patient education and development of written materials for patients receiving oral CT treatment.

Changes in nursing ethics education in Lithuania.

The post-Soviet scene in Lithuania is one of rapid change in medical and nursing ethics. A short introduction to the current background sets the scene for a wider discussion of ethics in health care professionals' education. Lithuania had to adapt rapidly from a politicized nursing and ethics curriculum to European regulations, and from a paternalistic style of care to one of engagement with choices and dilemmas. The relationships between professionals, and between professionals and patients, are affected by this in particular. This short article highlights these issues and how they impact on all involved.

The nutritional status of older men with advanced prostate cancer and factors affecting it.

AIM: Our aim was to study the nutritional status of older men receiving treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PC). METHOD: We assessed 80 patients: 40 patients with advanced PC (research group) and 40 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (control group). The instruments used were: Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)-Short Form. Complementary questions were asked reflecting nutritional status. RESULTS: Mean age of PC patients was 72 (65-94) years and that of control group 71 (65-85) years. Patients with PC had rapid weight loss--15 (39.5%) of patients lost more than 3 kg over 3 months. Depressive symptomatology was more common in the research group (p<0.05), and it was inversely correlated with nutrition. Age had no influence on symptoms of depression. Digestive disorders troubled 23 (57.5%) of the research group and 14 (20%) of the control group. Digestive troubles had an influence on appetite in both groups t=0.54 and r=0.46 (p<0.05). No patient who had digestive symptoms was instructed as to how to control them. CONCLUSIONS: Among PC patients, 50% were at risk of malnutrition compared to 7.5% in the BPH group, as assessed by the MNA questionnaire. Patients suffering from PC were more depressed than those with BPH. A higher degree of depressive symptomatology was related to poorer nutritional status. Assessment of nutritional status is important and should be routinely performed in older men with PC.

[Nutritional status evaluation of elderly patients with prostatic cancer: a mini questionnaire on nutrition]. / Vyresnio amziaus zmoniu, serganciu priesines liaukos veziu, mitybos bukles ivertinimas pagal Mitybos mini anketa.

Mini Nutritional Assessment has been specifically designed to assess the nutritional status of elderly patients and preoperative nutritional evaluation. It can be used for nutritional evaluation in patients receiving treatment for advanced prostate cancer. We assessed 80 patients 65 year age and over. Forty patients were with prostate cancer and 40 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Mini Nutritional Assessment is a clinical score consisting of four items: anthropometric assessment, global evaluation, dietetic assessment and subjective assessment. The Mini Nutritional Assessment stratifies patients in the three categories: well--nourished patients (24 < or = MNA < or = 30), at risk of malnutrition (17 < or = MNA < 23.5) and undernutrition (MNA < 17). Patients suffering from prostate cancer were more likely to be overweight and they had rapid lost of weight. The Mini Nutritional Assessment was found to be well-suited for nutritional evaluation in patients receiving treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Mini Nutritional Assessment requires no complex analysis and can be easily used in hospitals and should be routinely performed.