Advancing Global Cancer Symptom Science: Insights and Strategies from the Inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert...

Area of Science:

• Symptom science
• Implementation science
• Nursing research

Background:

• The inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert Meeting convened 40 nurse scientists from seven countries.
• The meeting aimed to foster global collaboration and identify research priorities in symptom science.
• Discussions focused on enhancing international symptom science research and addressing challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize discussions and recommendations from the Cancer Symptom Science Expert Meeting.
• To introduce the Global Research Alliance in Symptom Science (GRASS).
• To identify research gaps and opportunities in cancer symptom science.

Main Methods:

• A 2-day expert meeting featured presentations on critical issues in cancer symptom science.
• Four working groups (WGs) were formed to address specific knowledge gaps.
• WGs focused on data collection/use, minimum datasets, implementation science, and alliance infrastructure.

Main Results:

• Four key recommendations were developed by the working groups.
• WG1: Optimal approaches for symptom data collection, analysis, and utilization.
• WG2: Development of a minimum dataset or common data model for symptom science.
• WG3: Enhancing implementation science strategies for evidence-based symptom management.
• WG4: Capacity building and infrastructure for the Global Research Alliance in Symptom Science (GRASS).

Conclusions:

• The meeting established the foundation for the Global Research Alliance in Symptom Science (GRASS).
• GRASS is an international alliance focused on advancing symptom science and its clinical implementation.
• Future directions include regular meetings, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with symptom scientists, with nurses leading the initiative.