Preparing Oncology Advanced Practice RNs as Generalists in Palliative Care

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Palliative Care
• Oncology Nursing

Background:

• Palliative care integration in oncology is often suboptimal.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are well-positioned to provide palliative care.
• Gaps exist in identifying patients who would benefit from palliative care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To train and support oncology APRNs in delivering generalist palliative care.
• To enhance APRNs' capacity to integrate palliative care into oncology practice.
• To improve patient and family care through specialized nursing training.

Main Methods:

• A National Cancer Institute-funded training course was developed for oncology APRNs.
• Participants (N=165) with advanced degrees and oncology experience received training and ongoing support.
• Precourse, postcourse, and six-month follow-up evaluations assessed palliative care practices and perceived effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Precourse evaluations revealed deficits in current palliative care integration and a lack of patient identification triggers.
• Postcourse data indicated increased APRN involvement in family meetings and palliative care consultations.
• APRNs demonstrated improved practices in discussing bereavement and preparing staff for patient deaths.

Conclusions:

• Oncology APRNs require specific palliative care training to effectively integrate this crucial aspect of care.
• Trained APRNs can significantly influence practice changes, leading to improved patient outcomes in oncology settings.
• Investing in palliative care education for APRNs is essential for advancing comprehensive cancer care.