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HISTORY AND OUTCOMES OF PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY NURSING AWARDS FROM MY CHILD MATTERS PROGRAM: AN INITIATIVE OF THE SANOFI ESPOIR FOUNDATION 2015-2020
Abstract
Background and Aims
The Sanofi Espoir Foundation (SEF) first began supporting childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in 2005. In 2015 and 2016, My Child Matters nursing grants of €5000 for 10 projects were added and since 2018, a €10,000 biennial grant for five projects.
Methods
Applications are advertised through SEF and SIOP websites, social media and currently accepted in English and French. Grant categories are Education, Research or Practice. Expert pediatric oncology nurses (SIOP members or known to SIOP members) review and score applications. Initially, applications were accepted from all LMIC, however, since 2018, eligibility has been restricted to lower-middle and low-income countries due to demand.
Results
In 2015, 36 eligible applications were received—slight majority Africa (n=16). Five Practice and five Education (27% of applications) projects were funded. In 2016, 23 eligible applications received—majority Africa (n=12). Two Practice and eight Education (37% of applications) projects were funded. In 2018, 61 eligible applications received—slight majority Asia (n=22). Five Education (7.9% of applications) projects were funded. In 2020, 26 eligible applications were received—Africa and Asia each (n=10). Eight Education and four Practice projects (46% of applications) were funded (3 partial funding) to honor WHO ICN Year of the Nurse. Ninety percent of 2015 grants and 70% of 2016 grants completed satisfactorily; 80% of 2018 projects completed and 20% starting. Uncompleted grants had significant local nursing personnel issues or national political issues.
Conclusions
The large number of grant applications (despite 2018 restriction to low- and lower-middle-income countries) highlights the paucity of nursing funding and great need, particularly in Education and Practice categories. Application geographic diversity demonstrates SEF and SIOP network reach, also reflected by award geographic distribution. SEF sponsored 16 nurses over the last four SIOP Congresses for project presentation, thus inspiring other nurses and demonstrating best practices in their resource-limited settings.
DEVELOPMENT AND FEASIBILITY OF AN ONSITE ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT FOR SIOP PODC BASELINE NURSING STANDARDS: PERUVIAN PILOT TESTING
Abstract
Background and Aims
The six SIOP PODC Baseline Standards for Pediatric Oncology Nursing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries promote supportive practice environments and optimization of nursing care internationally. The standards address: staffing, orientation, continuing education, multidisciplinary teamwork, safe-care resources, and evidence-driven policies. A valid baseline nursing standards survey was previously developed and assessed hospitals’ achievement of the standards. However, an onsite hospital assessment instrument is needed to standardize evaluation methodology. Aims: 1) develop baseline standards onsite assessment instrument, including modifying evaluation criteria and methods, 2) evaluate feasibility of conducting an onsite assessment at Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN) in Lima, Peru (government cancer hospital; 850 new cases/year; 42 pediatric nurses).
Methods
Minor modifications and clarifications were made to the Spanish baseline standards survey. Nineteen Latin American nurse educators/leaders established content validity. Twenty-four criteria (across six standards) were established for onsite measurement. Evaluation methods included interviews, clinical observations and source documentation reviews. Evaluation criteria for each standard (and respective elements) included: met (100%), partially met (50-99.9%) or not met (<50%). Three members of the SIOP Baseline Nursing Standards Taskforce and St. Jude Global conducted a 2-day onsite pilot assessment (January 2020) on the INEN inpatient pediatric unit.
Results
Modified Spanish survey content achieved Survey-Content Validity Index (CVI) and Item-CVI= 0.95. Twenty-two assessment instrument elements were fully evaluated with support from INEN nurse leaders and pediatric nurses, identifying appropriate documentation and clarifying nursing practices. Assessment methods included documentation review/interviews (33.3%); observation/interviews (20.8%); observation/documentation review (4.2%); interviews (33.3%); observation (4.2%); and all methods (4.2%).
Conclusions
Feasibility of onsite baseline nursing standards assessment using standardized criteria and methods was demonstrated in a pilot in Lima, Peru. Limitations included decentralized and incomplete data sources for select elements and time constraints. Ongoing instrument refinement and testing of the instrument are planned for a follow-up visit.
HARMONIZING PATIENT/CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT DATA FROM TEN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: NURSING FACILITATION OF A SIOP PODC ENGAGEMENT TASK FORCE WORKSHOP
Abstract
Background and Aims
In 2017, the SIOP PODC Engagement Task Force initiated a study of patient/caregiver engagement in 10 low- and middle-income countries (L&MIC). No consensus on the definition of patient/caregiver engagement in healthcare exists. Ample literature (including nursing) explores engagement in high-income countries, however, a 2018 search by the Task Force revealed little from L&MIC. Professional qualitative researchers collected data from eligible adolescents and parents/caregivers from L&MIC in 5/6 WHO Regions. Two qualitative nurse researchers (one with extensive L&MIC experience) facilitated a 5-day workshop, before 2019 SIOP/CCI Congress, to address data harmonization.
Methods
Nurse facilitators provided an overall global, clinical and qualitative research context, and strategy for data harmonization and analysis processes. Twelve researchers presented their findings to participants including 2 physicians and 1 NGO representative. Data and theme sharing took three days. Next, one nurse facilitator identified the most common theme (communication) and presented a further data analysis strategy based on two frameworks of core components of pediatric medical communication and literature on family-centered care. Parent communication preferences and psychosocial communication standards and frameworks (pediatrics, Sisk 2018; pediatric oncology, Blazin 2018) guided data synthesis.
Results
A conceptual framework from the data was refined. Communication was explored in depth before selected data from all countries were placed into 7 themes from aforementioned communication frameworks: exchanging information, making decisions, fostering healing relationships, enabling patient self-management, managing uncertainty, responding to emotions, and engendering solidarity and validation.
Conclusions
With local support, researchers in 10 L&MIC investigated patient/caregiver treatment engagement. Despite language differences, researchers presented, synthesized and categorized data during a workshop. Relevant multidisciplinary research and nursing clinical practice experiences exploring/promoting engagement informed nurse facilitators’ support. Family engagement is core to nursing practice, and impacts on patient experience. It is important nurses recognize engagement nuances within all care settings and participate in efforts to explore and promote patient/caregiver engagement.
NURSING IN WHO GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER (GICC): – A REPORT FROM NURSE SPECIALISTS OF GICC IN THE YEAR OF THE NURSE (2020)
- Rachel Hollis, United Kingdom
- Pernilla Pergert, Sweden
- Julia Downing, United Kingdom
- Courtney E. Sullivan, United States of America
- Glenn M. Afungchwi, Cameroon
- Melissa Adde, Belgium
- Lisa Morrissey, United States of America
- Rehana A. Punjwani, Pakistan
- Andre Ilbawi, Switzerland
- Julia Challinor, United States of America
Abstract
Background and Aims
In 2020, the WHO/International Council of Nursing “Year of the Nurse and the Midwife” converges with the WHO GICC. The GICC aims to prioritize childhood cancer and support government capacity building to achieve 60% global survival by 2030. Aims: Create an informal coalition of expert paediatric oncology nurse representatives from countries of all income levels to guide health policy priorities to support activities for strengthening nursing and nursing leadership and to provide country assistance and regional planning as part of GICC and beyond.
Methods
Specialist nurses engaged in WHO GICC working groups since 2018, created an informal coalition. Nurse leaders from six initial WHO focus countries (Peru, Ghana, Zambia, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Philippines) were nominated as GICC government-identified nurse focal points. Specialist nurses joined focus-country workshops with local nursing leaders. Common challenges, advocacy needs and preliminary nursing priorities were identified through workshops and monthly conference calls with a WHO representative. Priorities were drafted into a position statement, and a survey developed and pretested to contribute to an analysis of the paediatric oncology nursing situation in each focus country in collaboration with the national nurse focal point.
Results
Safety and specialization were identified as initial paediatric oncology nursing priorities for GICC focus countries. A specialist nurses' publication amplified calls (particularly in resource-limited settings) for appropriate protective equipment when managing hazardous drugs and specialist training for optimal nursing care. These priorities were echoed in focus-country workshops across diverse settings and informed survey development and local action planning.
Conclusions
Specialized paediatric oncology nursing education and safe work environments are tangible, cost-effective interventions aligned with existing GICC political commitments and focus countries’ nurse priorities. Specialist nurses are participating and leading elements of GICC working groups to promote implementation of nursing priorities. Future work--contribute to GICC technical package development and advocate for inclusion strategies to optimize paediatric oncology nursing workforce.