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.     

Long-Term Outcomes of Modified St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Total Therapy XIIIB and XV Protocols for Thai Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

BackgroundWe studied long-term outcomes and prognostic features of Thai children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with modified St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) protocols.Patients and MethodsPediatric patients newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were included. From 1997 to 2003, the first group received modified Total Therapy XIIIB (previous protocol). From 2004 to 2014, the latter had modified Total Therapy XV (current protocol).ResultsIn 250 patients, the event-free survival rates (± standard error) of the previous protocol (n = 95) were 82.8 ± 3.9%, 81.7 ± 4.0%, and 81.7 ± 4.0% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively; current protocol event-free survival rates (n = 155) were 84 ± 3.0%, 80.8 ± 3.4%, and 80.8 ± 3.4%, respectively. Previous protocol overall survival rates for the same years were 89.2 ± 3.2%, 84.8 ± 3.8%, and 84.8 ± 3.8%, and for the current protocol were 90 ± 2.5%, 86.9 ± 3.2%, and 83.7 ± 4.4%. Previous protocol relapses were 10.5% (10 patients), with 7 having isolated hematologic and 3 isolated/combined central nervous system relapses. Current protocol relapses were 9.7% (15 patients), with 7 having isolated hematologic, 6 isolated/combined central nervous system, and 2 extramedullary relapses. Patients with leukocyte counts over 100 × 10⁹/L and who had disease classified as high risk had worse event-free survival using the previous protocol. However, only initial leukocyte counts of ≥ 100 × 10⁹/L predicted adverse outcomes under the current protocol. Minimal residual disease positivity was a prognostic factor of worse overall survival only for previous protocol patients.ConclusionFavorable outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurred using adapted SJCRH protocols, perhaps because of multidisciplinary care teams and improved parent advocacy. Inferior outcomes might be prevented by addressing predictive factors to ameliorate monitoring and care.