Psycho-Oncology Educational Program for the Adult Oncology Nurses at AUBMC

Abstract

Cancer affects not only the physical health of patients, but also their mental health. The sudden change in everyday life, long hospital admission, frequent treatment, pain, and society’s perception of cancer patients affect their mental health negatively. It is well known that a worsened mental state affects the progression of cancer; however, it is rare that psychological distress is accurately assessed by oncology nurses as they require formal education or training on psychological assessment of cancer patients. This psycho-oncology nursing program aims at developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nurses who are entitled to deliver care to the adult cancer patient population. The program aims at educating oncology nurses and preparing them regarding assessing patients by accurately using distress screening tools and appropriately selecting intervention strategies appropriate to the situation at hand. Also, it is hoped to include this program as a module in the future orientation program for novice junior oncology nurses. After implementing this program at AUBMC, it can be proposed for adoption in other hospitals in Lebanon in collaboration with the Lebanese Order of Nurses (LON). This program contributes to the improvement of patient care through equipping oncology nurses with skills, knowledge, and confidence regarding early detection of distress in cancer patients, together with concerting efforts with the psycho-oncology team.