End-of-Life

Patients’ experiences, self-awareness, self-confidence, dignity, and personal integrity represent the fundamental obligations of psychosocial care, according to John Wynn, MD, DFAPA, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Medical Director, PsychoOncology & Supportive Care, Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, WA. Dr Wynn went on to describe the significant role of oncology psychosocial care during his keynote address at the 2015 Association of Oncology Social Work 31st Annual Conference in Seattle, WA.

A report on the important role of nurse navigation in supporting advanced-stage cancer patients in preparation for end of life.

Nurse navigator Cheryl Bellomo discusses the essential role of navigators in ensuring that quality survivorship care begins at diagnosis and continues throughout the balance of a patient’s life.

The authors present a case study in resourceful navigation in a rural setting.

The authors present a case addressing the importance of understanding issues facing cancer survivors in order to provide effective patient-centered survivorship care.

Cancer patients must juggle doctor appointments; combat treatment side effects, while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy; and handle financial struggles.

The survivorship care plan (SCP) is used to assist cancer survivors with the transition from active treatment to the survivorship phase; all nurses play a significant role in the delivery of this vital aspect of survivorship care.

A recent survey by Consumer Reports shows that nearly 90% of Americans would prefer to die at home, focused on comfort, and yet, two-thirds of Americans over the age of 65 years end up dying in a healthcare setting, intubated, and in considerable pain.

Many breast cancer survivors experience changes in their sexual health related to cancer treatment.