Themes of Early Integration of Palliative Care into Oncology Care: A NursePractitioner Model

Abstract Early integration of palliative care into standard oncology care is quality cancer care. Evidence suggests palliative care improves the quality of life of advanced cancer patients and their families when introduced early in the disease trajectory. The provision of palliative care services within an oncology care center supports themes of early integration. The incorporation of an ambulatory palliative care clinic in an oncology care center is an example of an integrative service model. Yet, integration must represent much more than a physical presence and include comprehensive and holistic care, collaboration, communication and availability of service. Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners have the required knowledge and skills to fully support integration in an oncology care setting. In January 2018, a palliative care clinic, managed by a nurse practitioner, was established in a regional oncology care center. Patients were referred to the clinic by their oncologist or primary care provider. Reasons for referral were primarily pain and symptom management. Over a six-month period, greater than 100 patients were followed by the nurse practitioner. Pain and symptom management, advance care planning, collaborating with other health care professionals, advocacy, arranging diagnostic testing, and policy development represented the work of the Nurse Practitioner. Using evidence-based assessment tools patients reported improved pain and symptom management and overall better quality of life. Moreover, patients reported increased satisfaction with their health care because of the accessibility of the clinic’s services. This presentation will outline: how incorporating a palliative care clinic in an oncology care center supports themes of early integration and leads to improved patient outcomes; and the leadership roles Nurse Practitioners assume in supporting early integration. Biography: Claudette Taylor completed her PhD from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Following completion of her doctorate, she obtained a Nurse Practitioner Diploma from the University of Toronto. She is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Cape Breton University and an Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University, Halifax Nova Scotia Speaker Publications: 1. Ann Oncol-2013-Howell-annonc-mdt506 2. Sleep disturbance in adults with cancer: A systematic review of evidence for best practices in assessment and management for clinical practice 3. A Pan-Canadian practice guideline: Prevention, screening, assessment, and treatment of sleep disturbances in adults with cancer 27th Cancer Nursing & Nurse Practitioners Conference | Webinar | August 24-25, 2020.Abstract Citation: Claudette Taylor, Supporting Themes of Early Integration of Palliative Care into Oncology Care: A NursePractitioner Model Cancer Nursing 2020, 27th Cancer Nursing & Nurse Practitioners Conference | Webinar | August 24-25, 2020 https://cancernursing.nursingconference.com/speaker/2 020/claudette-taylor-cape-breton-university-sydneynova-scotia-canada

Author(s):

Claudette Taylor

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