Nurses' Perceptions of Support in Cancer Pharmacotherapy at a University Hospital: A Descriptive Quantitative Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Pharmacotherapy Management
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Cancer treatment has shifted, making it a chronic illness requiring advanced nursing skills.
• Complexity in cancer pharmacotherapy presents challenges to implementing patient-centered care.
• Nurses play a critical role in managing cancer patients' evolving treatment needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nurses' support practices in cancer pharmacotherapy.
• To compare these practices based on nurses' years of experience.
• To identify areas for improvement in nursing care for cancer patients.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was distributed to 430 nurses at a Japanese university hospital.
• Nurses reported on their support practices during cancer pharmacotherapy.
• Factor analysis identified key support areas, and experience levels were compared.

Main Results:

• 184 nurses responded (42.8% response rate).
• Three primary support factors were identified: patient-centered care, treatment management, and symptom assessment.
• Patient-centered care scores were significantly lower than other factors (p < .001).
• Nurses with ≥10 years of experience had lower practice scores than those with 4-9 years.

Conclusions:

• Improving nursing education and interprofessional collaboration is vital for patient-centered cancer care.
• Continuous learning is essential for nurses to adapt to new cancer treatments.
• Specific attention to experienced nurses' practices may be needed to enhance patient-centered care.