Advanced practice nurses: A key component to enhancing advance care planning for cancer patients

Joint Event on 32^nd World Congress on Advanced Nursing Practice & 30^th International Conference on Pediatric Nursing & Healthcare

August 19-20, 2019 Zurich, Switzerland

Cheryl Barnes

USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: The global cancer burden is estimated to have risen to 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths in 2018. In the United States cancer is second leading cause of death among the population. Review of the literature reveals that close to 40% of U.S. cancer decedents had an intensive care unit admission in the last 180 days of life. Advance care planning (ACP) which involves considering end-of-life decisions and preferences ahead of time and documenting them in an advance directive (AD) plan, plays an integral part in the management of oncology patients. Despite the importance of ACP, research suggests that most cancer patients do not have discussions about end-of-life care issues with an oncology clinician. Advance practice nurses (APNs) care for oncology patients across the care continuum and are in key positions to facilitate such discussions. It is therefore valuable to understand how APNs view their role in ACP with cancer patients. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A web-based survey to assess APNs, specifically Nurse Practitioners (NPs) knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived barriers to advanced care planning with cancer patients was conducted at a 473 bed NCI-designated cancer hospital, using a standardized validated survey tool. This was sent to all nurse practitioners (NPs) with direct patient care responsibilities. A total of 479 practicing NPs received this electronic survey and 131 completed the survey. Results revealed that most of the participants were knowledgeable about what ACP and ADs are but less than 50% reported been comfortable discussing ACP. Conclusion & Significance: Although most APNs are knowledgeable about ACP and AD there is a gap in their comfort level in discussing ACP with oncology patients. Recommendations are made to design and implement evidence-based interventions that will enhance APNs knowledge and self-confidence in conducting ACP discussions with oncology patients.

Biography :

Cheryl Barnes DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP, RN, APRN, BC. Cheryl is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in oncology nursing at a world-renowned Magnet and NCI-designated cancer hospital in the US. Cheryl obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Pace University and continues to teach Advanced Assessment and Leadership as an Adjunct Professor at Pace. Cheryl currently works as an Advanced Practice Provider Manager in the ambulatory setting where she oversees Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants and has mentored numerous nurses and nurse practitioner students. Cheryl publications include articles on DNR, smoking cessation and a systematic review on patient-centered care in the management of children with asthma. Cheryl has done many national and international presentations at The Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists, Oncology Nursing Society and The Johanna Briggs Institute.