Design: This project implements a cancer specific curriculum for end of life/palliative care through the national chapters of the Oncology Nursing Society.

Population, Sample, Setting, and Years: The population is the local chapters of the Oncology Nursing Society. A sample of 120 of the 220 ONS chapters will participate in this project over 2003 – 2007. Two representatives from each local ONS chapter will attend an intensive Train the Trainers course focused on improved care for patients with cancer through dissemination efforts of oncology nurses.

Concept and Outcome Variables: The key concepts are improved quality of life at the end of life and palliative care in cancer. Outcome variables include the current activities of the ONS chapters in advancing palliative care, course evaluation, and implementation efforts by the participants.

Methods: The end of life curriculum is based on best available evidence in areas such as pain and symptom management, communication, cultural considerations and other aspects of cancer care. Diverse educational methods are used to teach the content.

Findings: The first oncology training program will be held in February, 2004 and already, courses for the first two years are full to capacity. This presentation will demonstrate the adaptation of an end of life curriculum for the specific patient and nurse population of cancer care.

Conclusions: Palliative care education is needed in Oncology nursing practice.

Implications: Over 550,000 people die each year in the United States from cancer. The development of this curriculum and findings from the initial course will be of interest to nurses internationally to advance palliative care in cancer.

Back to Improving End-of-Life Care: International Implications for Palliative Nursing Care
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004