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- Andreas Charalambous (Limassol, Cyprus)
Second victim: How to support cancer nurses after a harmful event
- René Schwendimann (Basel, Switzerland)
CN10 - Cancer nursing education and recognition in Europe: A survey by the European Oncology Nursing Society
- Patrick Crombez (Brussels, Belgium)
Abstract
Background
Recent work by the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) has provided evidence for the added value of specialised cancer nursing interventions on patient outcomes and the relief of cancer burden. The variability in existing specialised cancer nursing education programs, regulation, and recognition across European countries raised the question of mapping the situation to strive for a common base using the EONS’s Cancer Nursing Education Framework. The aim of this survey is to further explore the actual reality of educational programs and the recognition of cancer nursing as a specialty across Europe.
Methods
In 2019 a survey, covering ten items regarding cancer nursing education and recognition, was send out to cancer nurses of the WHO European Region countries. The items were: existence and type of specialty education, who provides it, title if education program completed, since when does it exist, duration of the program, structure of the program, modules of the education, number of ECTS, and recognition of the specialisation.
Results
From the 51, only 13 countries were responded (response rate 25.49%) and all reported the existence of specialised cancer nursing education programs, with a variation in type of education or training (master’s programs, diplomas or other certificates) and the duration (between 200hrs to 6 years). Most of the programs are provided by academic institutes or university hospitals, and the first are aged since the decade of 80’s (UK, Ireland). In only 5 countries the national authority recognised cancer nursing as a specialty. A second launch of the survey will be send out to identified cancer nurses from the missing countries to increase the response rate.
Conclusions
Specialised cancer nursing education is pivotal to guarantee equal high-quality cancer care for all patients across Europe. Innovation and complex cancer nurse-led interventions can only be delivered by well-educated and specialised cancer nurses. We need to further investigate what the actual situation is in order to promote cancer nursing as a specialty across Europe, based on a mutually agreed education framework.
Legal entity responsible for the study
EONS.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
CN21 - Patient and occupational safety in Europe: A survey by the European Oncology Nursing Society
- Helena Ullgren (Solna, Sweden)
Abstract
Background
Cancer nurses have a crucial role in safe administration, management and delivery of cancer care. Guidelines, education and access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) vary between countries and healthcare organizations. European Oncology Nursing Society’s (EONS) Advocacy working group, set a strategic goal to raise awareness on patient safety. To gain knowledge on both patient- and occupational safety from European cancer nurses, a survey was conducted.
Methods
EONS Advocacy working group developed a survey on occupational and patient safety. The semi-structured survey consists of two parts; one with 20 items on occupational safety (with the option of free-text comments) and one validated tool (Hospital Survey on patient safety (HSPS), not analyzed here). The survey (translated into 8 languages) was anonymous and handed out at various national cancer nursing conferences, at EONS cancer nursing conference 2019 and online via EONS webpage (from October 2019 and onwards). A database was developed by the Regional Cancer Centre in Stockholm-Gotland, Sweden, dedicated for this survey. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods were used to present the preliminary data findings. The survey will be open until August 2020.
Results
To date 491 cancer nurses from 38 European countries have responded. Preliminary analysis indicates differences between countries and institutions. Guidelines on management and administration of cytotoxic drugs is frequently reported, but these guidelines are not fully implemented and often not followed due to “pressure at work”, “lack of training”, “lack of knowledge of health and safety risks” and “peer pressure”. Free-text responses highlight a number of safety related issues experienced by the nurses, and lack of support by organization and/or managers to follow and implement safe work processes.
Conclusions
Preliminary results indicate several challenges and areas for improvement in occupational and patient safety in Europe. Current practices and exposures suggest risk that is not acceptable. There is a need for a minimum standard practice regarding education and PPE on a European level and cancer nurses must be involved in the process.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
CN9 - The European Cancer Nursing Index 2020: A tool for mapping cancer nursing status across Europe
- Lena Sharp (Stockholm, Sweden)
Abstract
Background
Prior research by the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) has provided evidence for significant differences in various dimension of cancer nursing across Europe. EONS Advocacy working group has developed the European Cancer Nursing Index (ECNI) to illustrate the status and better promote cancer nursing among political and/or health contexts.
Methods
Data on education and career development, patient and occupational safety, working conditions and impact, recognition and workforce statistics) were collected and (22 items) were divided into 5 dimensions (described above). from European cancer nurses through EONS survey on patient and occupational safety (n=491) and interviews conducted with leading cancer nurses (n=38). Eurostat and OECD work force statistics were also used. A scoring manual was developed (with scores 0- 100) by EONS Advocacy group. For items with varying responses from the same country, the most frequent was applied. Each of the 38 countries’ national cancer profile was scored according to the manual and was presented graphically on map charts (mapchart.net).
Results
Important differences between countries regarding the 5 dimensions was found. The mean total cancer nursing index score was 48 out of 100 and varied between 16-78, with the highest reported total score was from Ireland (78/100). In education and career development (mean=9, min-max =0-18) Norway, United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Ireland scored higher, in Patient and Occupational safety (mean=18, min-max =3-36) Germany and Belgium, and recognition (mean=8, min-max =0-15) Cyprus, Denmark and Sweden, while Bosnia and Switzerland ranked higher on working conditions and impact (mean=15, min-max =3-19).
Conclusions
The ECNI 2020 provides important information on the differences in cancer nursing profile across Europe. Cancer nursing needs to be strengthened in all European countries, to guarantee high quality and safe cancer care. It is recommended that the index be updated biannually to reflect progress and future developments.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
EONS Safety work: Where do we go from here?
- Matthew N. Fowler (Birmingham, United Kingdom)
Novice Research Dissemination Award 1: Abstract CN42: Nurse and pharmacist-delivered gynaecology telephone clinic: maintenance therapies patient and staff survey
- Philippa Jupp (London, United Kingdom)
Novice Research Dissemination Award 2: Abstract CN46: Real-life experience of nurses coordinating device in oral therapy centre (DICTO program)
- Elise Deluche (Limoges, CEDEX, France)
Discussion and closing
- Andreas Charalambous (Limassol, Cyprus)