PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact on continuity of nursing care delivered by a pivot nurse in oncology to improve symptom relief and outcomes for patients with lung or breast cancer. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 93) with care by a pivot nurse in oncology and usual care by clinic nurses or to a control group (n = 97) with usual care only. SETTING:Three outpatient ambulatory oncology clinics in a large university health center in Quebec, Canada. SAMPLE: 113 patients with lung cancer and 77 patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Participants in both groups completed the Symptom Distress Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General version 4 at eight intervals over six months. Healthcare usage was evaluated through a review of hospital records. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Symptom distress, fatigue level, quality of life, and healthcare usage. FINDINGS: Researchers found no significant differences in symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and healthcare usage between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The new nursing role did not have an impact on the patient outcomes under study. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Experienced nurses with specialized knowledge of oncology symptom assessment and management may reduce the symptom burden experienced by ambulatory patients with breast or lung cancer during active treatment.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact on continuity of nursing care delivered by a pivot nurse in oncology to improve symptom relief and outcomes for patients with lung or breast cancer. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 93) with care by a pivot nurse in oncology and usual care by clinic nurses or to a control group (n = 97) with usual care only. SETTING: Three outpatient ambulatory oncology clinics in a large university health center in Quebec, Canada. SAMPLE: 113 patients with lung cancer and 77 patients with breast cancer. METHODS:Participants in both groups completed the Symptom Distress Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General version 4 at eight intervals over six months. Healthcare usage was evaluated through a review of hospital records. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Symptom distress, fatigue level, quality of life, and healthcare usage. FINDINGS: Researchers found no significant differences in symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and healthcare usage between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The new nursing role did not have an impact on the patient outcomes under study. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Experienced nurses with specialized knowledge of oncology symptom assessment and management may reduce the symptom burden experienced by ambulatory patients with breast or lung cancer during active treatment.
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