Nursing strategies for patients on oral chemotherapy

Oncology nurses play a pivotal role in educating the cancer patient who is about to commence oral chemotherapy. Increasing numbers of patients are receiving oral chemotherapy at home, and with this move to oral self-administration, there has been a critical shift in responsibility of management from the provider to patient. Oral regimens pose new challenges in patient selection and education. Recognition of factors that affect patient compliance will be particularly important with oral chemotherapy. Strategy tools for the patient and provider will need to be developed to ensure optimal compliance and safety.