Impact of a pivot nurse in oncology on patients with lung or breast cancer: symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and use of healthcare resources.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact on continuity of nursing care delivered by a pivot nurse in oncology to improve symptom relief and outcomes for patients with lung or breast cancer.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 93) with care by a pivot nurse in oncology and usual care by clinic nurses or to a control group (n = 97) with usual care only.

SETTING

Three outpatient ambulatory oncology clinics in a large university health center in Quebec, Canada.

SAMPLE

113 patients with lung cancer and 77 patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

Participants in both groups completed the Symptom Distress Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General version 4 at eight intervals over six months. Healthcare usage was evaluated through a review of hospital records.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Symptom distress, fatigue level, quality of life, and healthcare usage.

FINDINGS

Researchers found no significant differences in symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and healthcare usage between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The new nursing role did not have an impact on the patient outcomes under study.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Experienced nurses with specialized knowledge of oncology symptom assessment and management may reduce the symptom burden experienced by ambulatory patients with breast or lung cancer during active treatment.