The role of the psychosocial oncology CNS in a rural cancer outreach program.

The high cancer mortality rates in rural areas of Virginia are discussed, and cancer risk factors particular to the rural population are delineated. Rural health beliefs and their relationship to delay in seeking cancer care in rural areas are examined. A rural cancer outreach program and the role of the oncology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in the program are described in terms of Psychosocial Oncology CNS subroles, i.e., clinician, consultant-liaison, networker/linker, coach, educator, change agent, researcher, and supervisor/supervisee. Effectiveness of the role in the program is analyzed. An innovative urban-rural nurse oncology program is delineated, and recommendations for research in rural nursing cancer care and actions for fostering CNS role development are suggested.