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BACKGROUND: Individuals with peripheral neuropathy (PN) frequently experience balance and gait impairments that can lead to poor physical function, falls, and injury. Nurses are aware that patients with cancer experience balance and gait impairments but are unsure of optimal assessment and management strategies. OBJECTIVES: This article reviews options for balance and gait assessment for patients diagnosed with cancer experiencing PN, describes advantages and limitations of the various options, and highlights innovative, clinically feasible technologies to improve clinical assessment and management. METHODS: The literature was reviewed to identify and assess the gold standard quantitative measures for assessing balance and gait. FINDINGS: Gold standard quantitative measures are burdensome for patients and not often used in clinical practice. Sensor-based technologies improve balance and gait assessment options by calculating precise impairment measures during performance of simple clinical tests at the point of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To explore nurses' practice patterns, knowledge, and barriers related to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional.Setting: The United States.Sample: 408 oncology nurses.Methods: A team of eight experts met and developed the CIPN nurse knowledge and preferences survey, which was electronically sent to randomly selected nurses.Main Research Variables: The survey assessed nurses' knowledge and practice patterns regarding assessment strategies and barriers, evidence-based interventions, preferences for education, and perceived gaps in scientific knowledge.Findings: Nurses in the survey lacked knowledge regarding neurotoxicity of specific agents and evidence-based treatments. CIPN-focused physical examinations and standardized measurement tools were infrequently used during assessment. The most frequently reported barriers to CIPN assessment included lack of access to measurement tools, lack of specialized skills needed for assessment, lack of confidence, and lack of time. Recommendations for future research included CIPN prevention research, exploration of CIPN-related effects on quality of life, and alternative treatments of CIPN. The majority of participants preferred online educational opportunities.Conclusions: Nurses do not consistently integrate evaluation and management of CIPN in their practices.Implications for Nursing: Educational offerings should incorporate web-based CIPN assessment and management content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) tasked a rapid response research team (RRRT) to develop priorities to increase diversity, equity, and inclusivity in oncology clinical care and workforce development. METHODS: An RRRT of experts in health disparities conducted a rapid review of the literature, consulted with oncology nurse leaders and disparities researchers, and reviewed priorities from funding agencies. RESULTS: Significant gaps in the current oncology disparities literature were identified and used to inform priority areas for future research practice and workforce development in oncology nursing. SYNTHESIS: This is the second article in a two-part series that presents findings on structural racism and health inequities in oncology nursing. In the first article, three priority areas for oncology nursing research were presented. In this article, strategies to improve diversity, equity, and inclusivity in clinical practice and the oncology workforce are described. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Recommendations are presented to inform research, clinical, administrative, and academic oncology nursing settings on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusivity and deconstructing structural racism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) formed a team to develop a necessary expansion of the 2019–2022 ONS Research Agenda, with a focus on racism and cancer care disparities. METHODS: A multimethod consensus-building approach was used to develop and refine the research priorities. A panel of oncology nurse scientists and equity scholars with expertise in health disparities conducted a rapid review of the literature, consulted with experts and oncology nurses, and reviewed priorities from funding agencies. RESULTS: Critical gaps in the literature were identified and used to develop priority areas for oncology nursing research, practice, and workforce development. SYNTHESIS: This is the first article in a two-part series that discusses structural racism and health inequities within oncology nursing. In this article, three priority areas for oncology nursing research are presented; in the second article, strategies to improve cancer disparities and equity and diversity in the oncology workforce are described. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Research priorities are presented to inform future research that will provide methods and tools to increase health equity and reduce structural racism in oncology nursing practice, research, education, policy, and advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) recognized a need to reaffirm its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. ONS commissioned nurse scientists and experts in equity to update the ONS 2019-2022 research priorities to expand foci addressing structural racism and health inequities in oncology nursing. Disparities persist in cancer screening, incidence, treatment, mortality, and quality of life outcomes between Black and White patients, despite efforts to provide culturally responsive care to all patients. A new approach of examining how oncology nurse scientists can intervene on structural racism to achieve equitable health outcomes for patients is needed. Guided by critical race theory, an ONS appointed rapid response research team discussed the pervasiveness of racism and how it operates in oncology nursing. Personal race consciousness and experiences as people of color and, or individuals working for equity were shared. These conversations were guided by emergent findings from a rapid literature review focused on synthesizing the state of the science on oncology nursing and cancer health disparities. The team generated and disseminated a list of potential research priorities through an ONS nurse researcher database to obtain input via electronic survey. Survey findings were applied to generate key priority research areas and recommendations related to each area. Three key research priority areas were identified including the design and testing of interventions that (1) build trust in cancer research (2) focus on the social determinants of health and (3) use community-based approaches. Several recommendations related to each area will be presented. Application of these research priorities and specific recommendations provide a blueprint for oncology nurse scientists, clinicians, and organizations to intervene on racism and improve health equity for all patients. The rapid response approach was employed by this expert panel and provides a model for organizations to respond to urgent concerns that arise in oncology nursing science and practice. This team was appointed to build upon the 2019-2022 research priorities and expand the priorities related to racial and ethnic diversity in research, studying the social determinants of health, and interventions focused on modifiable behaviors. A second phase of this work focused on recommendations to achieve equity in the oncology nursing workforce and health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) charged a rapid response research team to identify priorities focused on increasing equity in development of the oncology nursing workforce and clinical care. Nursing developed during a time of segregation in the United States. The effects of segregation in early nursing education persist as people of color remain under- represented in the nursing workforce with less than 20% of registered nurses self-identifying as members of underrepresented racial/ethnic groups despite making up about 40% of the U.S. population. Under- representation of nurses of color in oncology nursing has significant negative impacts on both the nursing profession and patient outcomes. A team of experts in equity and oncology nursing science were convened by ONS to update the ONS 2019-2022 research priorities and make recommendations to achieve equity in the nursing workforce and healthcare. In line with critical race theory, the team considered how racism is operating in the routine aspects of oncology nursing education and practice. Team members discussed their personal experiences and race consciousness. A rapid literature review was conducted to synthesize the state of the science on racism in oncology, the nursing workforce, and healthcare. A list of potential priorities focused on equity in oncology nursing were drafted and shared with oncology nurse scientists via electronic survey for additional input. Survey findings were applied to generate key priority areas and specific recommendations related to each area. Strategies to improve equity and diversity in clinical practice and the oncology workforce are outlined in two key areas: (1) increase racial and ethnic representation in academia and the oncology nursing workforce; and (2) promotion of equity in oncology nursing and healthcare. Specific recommendations related to each area are presented. Application of recommendations can be applied to work toward achieving equity and deconstruct racism in clinical and academic settings. This project employed a rapid response approach that can be used to address critical concerns that need timely and thoughtful solutions. This work builds upon the 2019-2022 research priorities to make recommendations that are specific to academic and clinical oncology settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]