A study of district nurses' experiences of continuous ambulatory chemotherapy

As a result of technical developments and policies that promote shorter hospital stays, patients are increasingly receiving high technology treatment in the community. The administration of ambulatory intravenous chemotherapy at home is an example of such treatment. Despite being generalist nurses, district nurses (DNs) are involved in what could be viewed as 'specialist' care - advising and supporting patients while they are receiving treatment. This article reports on a study of 20 DNs from one community trust and examines the sources of the knowledge and skills used in caring for these patients and the communication links with the regional cancer centre.