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The current mixed methods study investigated what changes in quality of life (QOL) mean to older adults with complicated grief treated with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) post-hospice services. An informational matrix, which included select patient characteristics (e.g., number of comorbidities, single versus multiple deaths, relationship role), four identified qualitative themes, end of study QOL scores measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health-Related QOL Healthy Days Module, and changes in scores from baseline to end of study, was created to analyze the data. Results showed that although a history of multiple deaths may contribute to greater improvements in QOL with therapy, having at least one comorbidity resulted in a richer description and endorsement of QOL in response to treatment. This is the first longitudinal, randomized controlled trial using a mixed methods approach to examine QOL of hospice family caregivers with complicated grief who are receiving ART. This study identifies potential links of QOL and caregiver characteristics, providing nurses with foundational knowledge for assessment, care, and further research on the experiences of complicated grief. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(5), 19–26.], Approximately 10% to 15% of persons in the United States experience complicated grief, which disproportionately affects older adults (aged ≥60 years) (Center for Complicated Grief, 2017). Complicated grief is described [...]

It is important for graduate nurses to reflect on their time in residency programs. Legacy letters, written by oncology nurse residents to future residents, reflect on “what I wish I knew” and “what I learned.” A retrospective, qualitative thematic analysis of 30 letters at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the southeastern United States was conducted. Four themes arose. Understanding these experiences can provide insight to nurse residents and guide improvements for the residency program.

Approximately 1 in 3 adults have some type of advance directive. Advance care planning (ACP) is associated with greater use of supportive care services and decreased patient and family stress. Despite this, organizations continue to have difficulty in implementing effective programs for increasing ACP. Increasing knowledge and comfort of the health care team with end-of-life discussions and ACP is essential. Educational efforts should focus on decreasing known barriers to ACP discussions such as discomfort, unclear role, lack of experience, and limited education. Role playing and case discussions taught by geriatric resources nurses can help increase staff knowledge and comfort regarding ACP. Role playing allows staff to think about their own mortality and what will happen in various situations if ACP is not complete. Team members find that once they have completed their own ACP, they are more comfortable discussing ACP with patients and caregivers. Nurses should collaborate with social workers and chaplains for ACP education and discussing what matters most to them. Patients are encouraged to make sure that they provide advance directives to their health care providers. This article shares an interprofessional team approach to improving processes for ACP as a component of “what matters most” to older adults with cancer.

Integration of palliative care (PC) in oncology requires changes in delivery and processes of care, such as implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based interdisciplinary plans of care (IPOCs). A multidisciplinary design team partnered with an electronic health record company and an information analytics company that specializes in online clinical practice guidelines. The team sought to develop electronic IPOCs that address the unique needs of oncology inpatients, attend to PC needs, and reflect the interdisciplinary team’s contribution to quality patient outcomes. Our cancer center had paper-based care plans that were not well integrated into workflow, did not represent comprehensive PC, did not reflect interdisciplinary care, and did not guide evidence-based practice at point of care. The team designed IPOCs to be incorporated into each discipline’s workflow and unique documentation and established clinical decision support tools to suggest appropriate IPOCs. Thirty-five IPOCs were developed and included all domains of quality PC. Evaluation of IPOC use indicated incomplete, but improving, adoption of PC-specific IPOCs with engagement in collaborative care planning by a variety of disciplines and across oncology nursing subspecialties.

The article discusses the results of a controlled, randomized pilot study which examined the benefits of inhaled peppermint and ginger pure essential oils in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in the autologous bone and marrow transplant (BMT) population.

The article mentions the importance and ways to provide health care among older adults or hence an age friendly healthcare system. It talks about core components which serve as a framework for clinicians to gather data and formulate care plans and interventions for older adults. It includes the key things that matter, medication, mentation and mobility.

The article reports on the reasons why members of the American Association of Critical Nurses should take the issue of moral distress seriously due to its possible effects on emotional, physical, and psychological health.

The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate information needs of wives of men diagnosed with prostate cancer postbrachytherapy and to measure the extent to which the needs are met. The study took place at the National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, and 65 wives of men with prostate cancer were recruited. Wives completed the Family Inventory of Needs-Wives in recovery room on day 1 postprocedure and the demographic data form. Information needs and perceived degree of these needs being met were identified. All needs were identified as important with varying degrees of these needs being met. One item was not rated as being unmet, whereas 4 items had scores of at least 30% for being unmet. Likelihood estimates identified needs with Pvalue less than .05 in relation to educational level of wife. A wife's need for information is prompted by her spouse's illness. This supports the findings of earlier research. A multitude of information needs exist for wives, and the degree of these needs being met varies. An assessment of needs and degree of these needs being met can guide nurses in tailoring education. Direction on approaching information needs may be needed to decrease barriers to communication and foster quality care. Employing a multimodality approach to education, reassessing needs, and encouraging questions are essential.

The article highlights the findings of a study on the perceptions of 30 oncology health care providers, mostly from Florida, working on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic.