In this episode, we spoke to Chevon Rariy, MD, medical director of Endocrinology at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Chicago, and the Telehealth Program director for the CTCA, about the impact of COVID-19 on telehealth programs, the creation of the in-home infusion program, and what these changes will look like for the nurses caring for these patients.

Podcasts

There’s No Place Like Home: The Launch of In-Home Infusion Programs

Music can help alleviate stress and bring something familiar into an unfamiliar medical procedure.

In this episode, we spoke with Laura Schandert, AGPCNP-BC, nurse practitioner at Duke University School of Nursing, about her recent experiment in using music to calm the nerves of patients with blood cancers undergoing bone marrow procedures.

 Get In-Tune With Patients: Music Can Help Alleviate Stress

While some people face barriers to colorectal cancer screening, at-home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) can help. For this episode, we heard from Diann Boyd, BSN, RN, OCN, a nurse navigator at the Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center. Boyd specializes in GI oncology and has a passion for ensuring that everyone completes the screening.

Boyd recently presented at the ONS Annual Congress about how to increase screening rates in Black and underserved communities. In doing so, the medical community has the opportunity to potentially catch cancers in earlier stages and improve patient outcomes.

While some people face barriers to colorectal cancer screening, at-home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) can help. 

Overcome Screening Barriers in CRC

It is well known that fear of recurrence is a major issue in the cancer community, but can genetic test results outlining risk impact those feelings?

For this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Maurade Gormley, CPNP, RN, assistant professor and post-doctoral fellow at the NYU Rory Myers College of Nursing. Her recent research analyzed how Oncotype DX genomic test results may increase fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors.

Genetic Testing May Increase Fear of Recurrence

Provider communication is extremely important, especially when dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. In this episode of “The Vitals,” Bryan A. Sisk, MD, MSCI, assistant professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Washington University School of Medicine discusses his recent research on communication barriers between healthcare providers and children with cancer and their families.

While some of these issues can be found in the broader cancer space, others – like how much information to give a 6-year-old versus a 16-year-old – align more with the intricacies of pediatrics. Sisk talks about this, and the improvements he hopes to see in this space in years to come.

A Chat on Communication Barriers in Childhood Cancer

Clinicians, patients, and caregivers alike all reported that they want cancer to be a communal experience – meaning that they feel that they are supported in the journey. However, certain factors can lead to feelings of isolation. 

In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with Jody Koenig Kellas, PhD, department chair and professor, interpersonal, family, and health communication at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Her research looked at the communal cancer experience, and gives clinicians direct tips on how they can reframe hope for patients and caregivers.

Focus on ‘A Different Kind of Hope’ in Cancer

Health care providers are facing an increasing amount of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are certain factors that may make some people at a higher risk for distress than others. In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke to Fuschia Sirois, PhD, BSc, SFHEA, reader in social and health psychology at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.

Sirois analyzed clinician stress not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but during other infectious outbreaks as well. Her research noted which groups of clinicians had higher rates of poor mental health during the pandemic, as well as which factors help to build resiliency.

Clinician Distress: Know Your Risks

A recent study found that 19% of patients with cancer engaged in nonmedical opioid use. In this episode of “The Vitals,” we spoke with study author Sriram Yennu, MD, MS, FAAHPM, study author and professor in the department of palliative care and rehabilitation medicine at MD Anderson. Yennu outlined the risk factors that he and his team found for opioid misuse, as well as what nurses can do to promote safer opioid use.

The following factors were independently associated with nonmedical behavior: Marital status

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale pain level

Read more: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/web-exclusives/1-in-5-patients-engage-in-nonmedical-opioid-use

A recent study found that 19% of patients with cancer engaged in nonmedical opioid use.

Nonmedical Opioid Use: Identify the Risks

As more health care providers and the general public get vaccinated against COVID-19, some people may be tempted to ease up on social distancing and mask-wearing efforts. However, people should continue to take appropriate precautions, especially if they have cancer or care for a loved one with cancer, explained Emily Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN, the program coordinator of breast cancer at Northside Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA.

“It’s easy to want to go back to normal… it’s going to take some time before we really see the effects of this mass vaccination effort,” Beard said.

It's not time to throw away the masks just yet. 

COVID-19 Vaccine 'Not a Quick Fix' for Social Distancing Measures

Oncology nurse practitioners are both competent and compassionate, and undergo rigorous academic and clinical training to earn the NP next to their name. However, many states still require them to work under the supervision of a physician. 

For this episode, we spoke with Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, about the importance of nurse practitioners, and why current regulatory models are outdated. 