Oncology nursing research: a global perspective

The specialty of oncology nursing began around the 1970s when oncology as a science became a significant practice in the clinical areas. As the practice of oncology grew in health care settings, physicians focused on providing care for individuals diagnosed with cancer with treatments like surgery, radiation, and novel chemotherapy agents. Physicians treated the physical disease, while oncology nurses cared for, and became specialised in, the assessment and management of side effects and symptoms, and supporting patients and families in coping with the impacts from the disease and treatments. Thus, the oncology nursing speciality focus is on physical, psychosocial, and practical management of patients' care; education of patients and families; and co-ordination of the complex care provided. This article focuses on how the science, or the evidence base, of oncology nursing has grown globally since those early years. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the growth and development in the body of evidence underpinning the oncology nursing specialty by highlighting scientific studies, publications, and evidence-based practice. Over the years, there has been a steady growth in the research evidence supporting the specialty, yet future challenges are ahead. These challenges include demonstrating impact of nursing interventions; infrastructure support; resources for capacity building; building research-mindedness; and strengthening equality, diversity, and inclusion.