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Nurse-patient Communication

Heartbreak Hill

Ann J. Brady, RN, BSN May 24, 2012

The patient appeared to deny the inevitable course of his disease, and the nurse could only wait for him to reach his point of acceptance.

Social media and survivorship: 21st century support

Bette Weinstein Kaplan May 10, 2012

A group at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, uses modern technology to provide survivorship care and counseling to patients.

Bedside handoffs transform nursing shift changes into relationship-based care

Joyce Pagan May 08, 2012

Patient handoffs conducted at bedside support the principles of relationship-based care and benefits both nurses and patients.

Training programs can improve nurse communication with patients about care goals

Traci Dantoni May 04, 2012

A training program helped nurses discuss care goals and difficult topics more effectively.

Educational DVD about chemotherapy assuages patient fears about treatment

Traci Dantoni May 03, 2012

Used as an education tool prior to therapy, patients felt more in control, experienced less anxiety, and set realistic expectations.

Knowing versus understanding

Ann J. Brady, RN, BSN May 01, 2012

Nurses anticipate a patient's need for pain meds. But understanding why a patient has no need for them may be difficult.

Opening the Door to Effective Pain Management: Getting the Facts and Getting Help

April 25, 2012

This fact sheet details how patients can effectively communicate about and manage cancer-related pain.

Cabazitaxel (Jevtana)

Bette Weinstein Kaplan April 17, 2012

Cabazitaxel is a taxane derivative indicated for treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer in patients previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen.

Parents stay offline when child has cancer

Delicia Honen Yard April 06, 2012

Parents prefer to receive information from a trusted healthcare provider rather than the Internet when their son or daughter is diagnosed with cancer.

Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinaze)

February 22, 2012

Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi is a component of a multiagent regimen for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Using ESAs in patients with cancer-related anemia

Sarah Wenger, PharmD; Lisa A. Thompson, PharmD, BCOP February 15, 2012

Although the risks of erythropoietin-stimulating agents can outweigh the benefits, select patients may benefit.

Meditation technique brings peace of mind to breast cancer survivors

Delicia Honen Yard January 16, 2012

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) showed a trend toward improving psychological outcomes by reducing mood disturbance in women who had survived early-stage breast cancer.

Multiple Myeloma: Making the Most of Your Medical Appointments

December 19, 2011

Many people see their cancer care as a collaboration. This fact sheet provides tips for patients with multiple myeloma for improving communication with providers during office visits.

Ten tips for nurses that enhance decision making for patients

December 19, 2011

These tips are shown to improve patient comprehension of the risks and benefits of cancer-related screening tests, treatments, and preventive measures.

Questions you can ask your oncology care team

December 19, 2011

When talking with your oncology care team, it may be helpful to write down questions ahead of time to receive the answers you need. This list is a helpful starting point for patients.

CDC focuses on infection prevention

December 16, 2011

A new initiative launched by CDC is designed to reduce the risk of life-threatening infection in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Endometrial cancer risk increases with adult weight gain but not with yo-yo dieting

Delicia Honen Yard November 16, 2011

Postmenopausal women who have gained weight in adulthood are at greater risk of developing endometrial cancer than are women who maintain a stable weight, indicates a recent study.

Many men not prepared for ED after colorectal treatment

Delicia Honen Yard November 07, 2011

Unlike men with prostate cancer, those with colorectal cancer are not routinely offered information and treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), charge the authors of a new study.

New program guides nurses into survivorship care

Delicia Honen Yard October 21, 2011

A curriculum at City of Hope and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center will train nurses working with cancer patients who are transitioning from active treatment to survivorship care.

The importance of cultural competence

Helen H. Miller, LCSW October 19, 2011

A bevy of tools are available to help oncology nurses improve their understanding of patients' cultures.

Seeing the forest for the trees

Robin Wachsman, RN, BSN, OCN, CCRN October 19, 2011

The search for the cause of a patient's fatigue and shortness of breath reminded a nurse to remember the little details in the big picture.

The burden of care decisions: Helping surrogates follow through with patients' wishes

Bette Weinstein Kaplan October 19, 2011

Surrogacy can be an overwhelming responsibility for a patients' friend or family member. Patients should carefully consider who they want to serve as a surrogate and include that person.

Wait, wait, don't tell me

Ann J. Brady, RN, BSN October 19, 2011

The wait for test results and treatment outcomes meets the criteria for a traumatic event. How do you handle a response that seems out of character?

Methylnaltrexone (Relistor)

Bette Weinstein Kaplan October 19, 2011

Methylnaltrexone is a peripheral acting narcotic antagonist, opioid reversing agent. It is indicated for treatment of opioid-induced constipation.

"Doctor, Can We Talk?": Tips for Communicating With Your Health Care Team

September 09, 2011

This patient fact sheet provides tips on how to prepare for your doctor appointment and offers a list of questions you can ask to help you understand your treatment and follow-up care.

Breast Cancer: Coping With Your Changing Feelings

September 09, 2011

Having breast cancer can affect how you feel about yourself and your body. You also may experience difficult emotions. This patient fact sheet offers advice on how to cope with these issues.

Nurses can ease challenges of distance caregiving

Delicia Honen Yard August 26, 2011

A study of distance caregiving in the advanced cancer population revealed the stressors for distant caregivers and suggested ways in which nurses might be able to help these persons.

Ears like a wolf ...when perspective clouds judgment

Ann J. Brady, RN, BSN August 01, 2011

The patient's constant complaining and irritating personality almost overwhelmed his need for care.

Ipilimumab (Yervoy)

August 01, 2011

Ipilimumab is a recombinant, human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-blocking monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma.