Search

Background To maintain and improve the quality of the cancer nursing workforce, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence retention and job satisfaction. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of cancer nurses in Australia and identify predictors of job satisfaction. Methods We analysed data from an anonymous cross-sectional survey distributed through the Cancer Nurses Society Australia membership and social media platforms from October 2021 to February 2022. The survey was compared to national nursing registration data. Data were analysed with non-parametric tests, and a stepwise, linear regression model was developed to best predict job satisfaction. Results Responses were received from 930 cancer nurses. Most respondents (85%) described themselves as experienced nurses, and more than half had post-graduate qualifications. There were 89 different titles for advanced practice nursing roles. Managing high workload was a reported challenge by 88%. Intention to leave within 10 years was reported by nearly 60%; this was significantly correlated with job satisfaction and age. Significantly higher scores for job satisfaction were associated with those who had career progression opportunities, career development opportunities, adequate peer support and a clearly defined scope of role. Conversely, job satisfaction scores decreased the more people agreed there was a lack of leadership and they had insufficient resources to provide quality care. Conclusion Cancer nurses are critical to the delivery of cancer care however, the workforce is challenged with shortages. This study provides an understanding of the Australian cancer nursing workforce characteristics, their roles and activities, and highlights important considerations for retaining nurses in the profession. We identified individual, organizational, and systemic factors that contribute to job satisfaction and outline strategies to address these. Findings can be used to address and prioritize workforce challenges.

Background: The availability and implementation of high-quality decision-making support are integral to ensuring the delivery of quality cancer care and subsequently achieving positive patient outcomes and experiences. Decision Support Systems (DSS) are increasingly used to support decision-making in clinical practice. However, it is not known beyond supporting the decision-making process whether DSS are indeed effective in improving outcomes for people affected by cancer. The purpose of this review was to identify and synthesize the available literature regarding the effects of DSS on patient-reported outcomes in cancer, both during and after cancer treatment.Methods: We conducted a systematic search of four databases for empirical literature published between 2000 and July 2021, in the English language, that reported an evaluation of patient-reported outcomes. Key information was extracted from each article including study design, type of cancer, intervention elements, type of DSS intervention, measures, and key outcomes. We appraised study quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).Results: We included 14 studies, which we categorized as symptom assessment interventions or interactive educational interventions. Studies described a range of health-related and process-related patient-reported outcomes, as well as decisional complexities. Findings were mixed regarding the effectiveness of clinical DSS interventions in improving total symptom distress and severity, whereas the majority were effective in reducing mean scores for worst and usual pain. Interventions were not effective in improving other health-related patient-reported outcomes including quality of life, global distress, depression, or self-efficacy and there were mixed effects for reducing decisional conflict. Regarding process-related patient-reported outcomes, there was moderate to high patient adherence to the intervention as well as generally high satisfaction and acceptability. However, there was minimal evidence for the effect of clinical DSS interventions in clinician adherence to intervention recommendations. Conclusions: Inconsistencies in reporting of interventions may be a contributing factor to heterogeneous effects of clinical DSS regarding a broad range of patient-reported outcomes. There is a need to develop and implement evidence-based reporting guidelines to improve the reliability and validity of reporting clinical DSS interventions and enhance their timely translation into practice.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020190977)

Background: Technology is increasingly transforming the way we interact with others and undertake activities in our daily lives. The healthcare setting has, however, been relatively slow to adopt technology solutions to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers. While the procedural and policy requirements of healthcare systems will ultimately drive such solutions, understanding the preferences and attitudes of patients is essential to ensure that technology implemented in the healthcare setting facilitates communication in safe, acceptable, and appropriate ways. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine patient preferences for using technology to communicate with health services about symptoms experienced following discharge from the hospital. Methods: Primary data were collected from patients admitted to a large metropolitan hospital in Australia during three consecutive months in 2018. Participants were asked about their daily use of technology including use of computers, email, phone, text messaging, mobile applications, social media, online discussion forums, and videoconference. They were then asked about their use of technologies in managing their health, and preferences for use when communicating about symptoms with health services following discharge from hospital. Results: Five hundred and twenty-five patients with a wide range of differing clinical conditions and demographics participated. Patients indicated they used a range of technologies in their everyday lives and to manage their health. Almost 60% of patients would prefer to return to hospital if they were experiencing symptoms of concern. However, if patients experienced symptoms that were not of concern, over 60% would prefer to communicate with the hospital via telephone or using technology. Admitting condition, income, and age were significantly associated with preferences for communication about symptoms following hospital discharge.Conclusions: Patients have varied preferences for communicating with the health service post-hospital discharge. Findings suggest that some, but not all patients, would prefer to use technology to traditional methods of communicating with the healthcare team. Health services should offer patients multiple options for communicating about their recovery to ensure individual needs are appropriately met.