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The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted psychological well-being worldwide. Oncology health care professionals' (OHCPs') perceptions of psychological effects of COVID-19 among people in active cancer treatment were explored. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of OHCPs actively providing care were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using Atlas.ti v8 and thematic analysis. In total, 30 OHCPs participated. Most were registered nurses (70%), worked in outpatient setting (56.7%) and were in their current position 1–5 years (53.3%). Overarching themes are as follows: (a) cancer treatment disrupted due to patients' fear of exposure to COVID-19; (b) social distancing restrictions caused discontinued social support and supportive services that exacerbated psychological distress; (c) pandemic-related stressors led to overwhelmed coping skills; and (d) OHCPs played a vital role in providing emotional support and connecting patients with family/friends through technology. Behavioral health interventions should focus within the "new world of COVID-19" of reduced face-to-face support and increased online support for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceptions of oncology health care providers use of telehealth to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were explored. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling (N = 30) was conducted. Four themes emerged: 1) telehealth provided continuity of cancer care and used to decrease the risk of COVID-19 exposure; 2) advantages brought about convenience and inclusion of family caregivers; 3) telehealth revealed geographic, aging, and racial/ethnic disparities and digital illiteracy; and 4) rapid implementation was challenging. Telehealth provides a number of opportunities to support care for vulnerable cancer patients during this health crisis; however, disparities must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 15% of the general population has complicated grief (CG). Understanding how older adults with CG describe their quality of life (QOL) is crucial to healthcare workers especially in hospice and mental health settings. Four themes for QOL emerged from the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. From highest to lowest endorsement, they were Mental Function (sub-themes: mental health, joy, and happiness), Self-management (sub-themes: self-efficacy and self-agency), Social Support, and Physical Function. This study provides new information related to the relationships between CG and QOL among older adults. Multidimensional aspects of QOL can provide insight into delivering individualized patient- and family-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive, cross sectional design was used to compare perceptions of compassion and well-being of volunteers with and without a personal history of cancer. Most (79%) were >60 years of age, female (63%), married (75%), White (88%), and Non-Hispanic (79%). Thirteen (54%) had a history of cancer; two were still on treatment. Compassion scores were similar between groups. Volunteers with a history of cancer scored higher (p = 0.04) on General Well-being than those without a history of cancer. Understanding volunteer perceptions of compassion and well-being can guide our support structure and psychoeducation. Future studies could examine patient outcomes related to volunteerism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Family support and patient outcomes are linked to nurses' attitudes toward families' importance in patient care. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize inpatient oncology nurses' attitudes toward families' importance in nursing care and determine characteristics related to these attitudes. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a single set of measurements from inpatient oncology nurses at a comprehensive cancer center in the southeastern United States. Nurse characteristics were summarized using frequency and percentages. Time variables were summarized using median and interquartile range. There were five primary outcomes: Families' Importance in Nursing Care-Nurses' Attitudes (FINC-NA) total score and four subscale scores. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation assessed relationships between nurse characteristics and attitudes. FINDINGS: Nurses considered the role of the family important, but level varied by FINC-NA item. Characteristics related to family importance overall included hospital unit and general approach to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore oncology health care professionals' perceptions of the COVID‐19 pandemic response. Background: The pandemic has created health care delivery challenges globally and many countries have exhibited low readiness and emergency preparedness. Methods: A descriptive design using a qualitative approach was employed. Semi‐structured interviews, which were completed via telephone, were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was conducted. Results Participants (N = 30) were mostly registered nurses (70%). Three themes emerged: (1) ability to adapt and operationalize disaster planning, training and restructure nursing models (subtheme: reactive vs. proactive approach to emergency preparedness); (2) COVID‐19 task forces and professional organisations were critical for valid information surrounding the pandemic; and (3) recommendations for emergency preparedness/planning for future pandemics. Conclusion: Oncology organisations adapted during the pandemic, but policies and procedures were perceived as reactive and not proactive. Recommendations for planning for future pandemics included (1) adequate personal protective equipment, (2) developing cancer‐specific guidelines/algorithms and (3) telehealth training related to billing/reimbursement. Professional organisations were reliable resources of information during the pandemic, but oncology professionals ultimately trusted employers and administration to distribute information needed for safe patient care. Implications for nursing management: Frontline nurses should hold positions on task forces to develop future emergency preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experienced oncology nurses use different troubleshooting techniques for clearing occluded central venous access devices (CVADs) with varying degrees of success. The purpose of this study was to explore troubleshooting techniques used for clearing occluded CVADs by experienced oncology RNs and identify the perceived effectiveness of each technique. An invitation for a web-based survey was sent to select RN members of the Oncology Nursing Society. All nurses (N = 224) reported asking patients to raise and/or move their arm. Most nurses asked patients to lie down, cough, and take deep breaths. Respondents considered instilling a thrombolytic agent to be the most effective technique. No associations were found between techniques and respondents' years in oncology nursing, work setting, certification, or academic degree. The findings contribute toknowledge about care of patients with occluded devices and will help formulate direction for additional investigation of CVADs. Establishing the appropriateness of practice-related troubleshooting techniques may eliminate unnecessary steps and save nursing time. Educating nurses on the topic will also help reduce techniques that are not expected to yield results or are contraindicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Duffy's Quality-Caring Model guides nursing practice at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, FL. No published studies using this model in oncology were found. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to determine patients' perceptions of nurse caring behaviors at the time of discharge after surgery. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected using Duffy's Caring Assessment Tool (CAT). Simple regression analyses were performed. FINDINGS: Spearman's correlation coefficients between the scores and age, length of stay, and number of nurses caring for the patients were not significant. No significant association was found between surgical site and CAT scores, nor between gender, race, and disposition posthospitalization. Appreciation of unique meanings and mutual problem solving showed need for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Moral distress (MD) has been linked to health care professional burnout, intent to leave, and decreased quality of care. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of MD among critical care interdisciplinary team members and assess the association of MD with team member characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used with interdisciplinary team members in an intensive care unit setting at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the southeastern United States. The Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals was provided to registered nurses, oncology technicians, providers, respiratory therapists, and ancillary team members (social workers, pharmacists, dietitians). Results: A total of 67 team members completed the survey. Mean responses for 3 items were higher than 8 (halfway point of scale): "Follow family's insistence to continue aggressive treatment even though I believe it is not in the best interest of patient" (mean [SD], 11.4 [4.8]); "Continue to provide aggressive treatment for a patient most likely to die regardless of this treatment when no one will make a decision to withdraw it" (mean [SD], 10.5 [5.3]); and "Witness providers giving 'false hope' to patient/family" (mean [SD], 9.0 [5.3]). Higher responses on the "Continuing to provide aggressive treatment" item was associated with having "considered leaving due to MD" (P = .027) and "considering leaving now due to MD" (P = .016). Higher total scores were related to having left or considered leaving a job (P = .04). When examining education level, registered nurses with a master's degree (n = 5) exhibited the most MD (P = .04). Conclusion: This study suggests that the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals is useful in identifying areas for focused efforts at reducing MD for interdisciplinary teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]