Open AccessImpact of the Continuity of Nursing Care Delivered by a Pivot Nurse in Oncology on Improving Satisfaction and Quality of Life of Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer
Author(s) -
Elie Kassouf,
M. Tehfe,
Marie Florescu,
Normand Blais
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.75000
Subject(s) - medicine , cohort , patient satisfaction , family medicine , health care , nursing , quality of life (healthcare) , lung cancer , christian ministry , economics , economic growth , philosophy , theology
Background: Health care organizations around the globe have been implementing different strategies aimed at improving their care systems to obtain better patient–physician interaction and resolve underlying issues leading to patient dissatisfaction. In an effort to improve continuity of care inside a network of interdisciplinary teams, the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Québec has implemented the recruitment of pivot nurses in oncology services. Aim: To determine whether continuous nursing care for lung cancer patients, compared with standard care, yields more improvements in terms of patient satisfaction and quality of life. Methods: This study was conducted at the Notre Dame University Hospital in Montreal. Patients were selected from the outpatient admissions' list, three months after the start of their treatment, and divided into two cohorts: the continuity of care (CC) cohort, where patients were followed by a PNO, and the usual care (UC) cohort, who received standard care from the oncology clinic staff. Participants in both groups completed the Princess Margaret Hospital Patient Satisfaction with Doctor Questionnaire (PMH/PSQ-MD), the FACT-L Scale for quality of life assessment and questions evaluating the understanding of their health status and disease. Another ten questions were dressed specifically to the CC in regards to nursing care and the health care system in Quebec. Results: The current study has shown a significant impact of implicating a PNO in the care of patients with advanced lung cancer. Patients in the CC cohort displayed better quality of life assessment scores and expressed higher levels of satisfaction compared with their peers in the UC cohort. Other variables examined revealed an adequate fulfillment of the PNO role as regarded by the participants, except for matters of an intimate nature. Conclusion: The PNO appears to have an substantial role in the care of patients with advanced lung cancer. Continuity of care seems to improve patients' quality of life and satisfaction by reducing the symptom strain experienced by ambulatory patients.