The Level of Psychosocial Skills of Nurses Caring for Cancer Patients and Affecting Factors: Results of a Multicenter Study
Article ID:
3834
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Abstract
Caring for cancer patients requires both technical and psychosocial nursing skills. The aim of this study was to determine the psychosocial care skill levels of nurses and affecting factors. This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,189 nurses providing direct care to adult cancer patients in 32 hospitals in 12 geographical regions of Turkey. A questionnaire, the Psychosocial Skills Form, and the Professional Quality of Life Scale were used to collect the data. Nurses’ psychosocial skill level was in the range of 2.72 ± 0.98 and 2.47 ± 0.89 out of four points. Communication skills such as empathic response, active listening, and the ability to provide information were found to be at a higher level than skills such as the activation of social support systems, therapeutic touch, and development of coping methods. Approximately 40% of nurses had received psychosocial care training, and 87% were interested in receiving additional psychosocial training. Gender, educational status, previous training in psychosocial care, and work experience with cancer patients were shown to affect psychosocial skill levels. There was a positive relationship between the level of psychosocial skills and the level of compassion satisfaction, and a negative relationship between the level of psychosocial skills and the level of burnout and compassion fatigue (p < 0.05). Nurses perceive themselves as having a medium to high level of psychosocial skills yet desire additional training. The results of this study may contribute to the development of training programs according to the needs of nurses who care for cancer patients.
References
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19.Taş B. Adaptation process to The European Union for Turkey’s new region concept: The nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS). J Soc Sci. 2006;8(2):186–98. [Google Scholar]
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28.Banerjee SC, Manna R, Coyle N, Shen MJ, Pehrson C, Zaider T, et al. Oncology nurses’ communication challenges with patients and families: a qualitative study. Nurse Educ Pract. 2016;16(1):193–201. doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2015.07.007. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
29.Tariman JD, Szubski KL. The evolving role of the nurse during the cancer treatment decision-making process: a literature review. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2015;19(5):548–56. doi:10.1188/15.CJON.548-556. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
30.Hong J, Song Y, Liu J, Wang W, Wang W. Perception and fulfillment of cancer patients’ nursing professional social support needs: from the health care personnel point of view. Support Care Cancer. 2014;22(4):1049–58. doi:10.1007/s00520-013-2062-6. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
31.Bottaro R, Craparo G, Faraci P. What is the direction of the association between social support and coping in cancer patients? a systematic review. J Health Psychol. 2023;28(6):524–40. doi:10.1177/13591053221131180. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
32.Tabatabaee A, Tafreshi MZ, Rassouli M, Aledavood SA, AlaviMajd H, Farahmand SK. Effect of therapeutic touch in patients with cancer: a literature review. Med Arch. 2016;70(2):142–7. doi:10.5455/medarh.2016.70.142-147. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
33.Vanaki Z, Matourypour P, Gholami R, Zare Z, Mehrzad V, Dehghan M. Therapeutic touch for nausea in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: composing a treatment. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016;22:64–8. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.12.004. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
34.Graf J, Smolka R, Simoes E, Zipfel S, Junne F, Holderried F, et al. Communication skills of medical students during the OSCE: gender-specific differences in a longitudinal trend study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1):75. doi:10.1186/s12909-017-0913-4. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
35.Algamdi M. Prevalence of oncology nurses’ compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurs Open. 2022;9(1):44–56. doi:10.1002/nop2.1070. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
36.Duarte J, Pinto-Gouveia J. The role of psychological factors in oncology nurses’ burnout and compassion fatigue symptoms. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2017;28(3):114–21. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2017.04.002. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
37.Chen F, Leng Y, Li J, Zheng Y. Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in haematology cancer nurses: a cross-sectional survey. Nurs Open. 2022;9(4):2159–70. doi:10.1002/nop2.1226. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
38.Brazeau CM, Schroeder R, Rovi S, Boyd L. Relationships between medical student burnout, empathy, and professionalism climate. Acad Med. 2010;85(10):S33–6. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181ed4c47. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
39.Emold C, Schneider N, Meller I, Yagil Y. Communication skills, working environment and burnout among oncology nurses. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2011;15(4):358–63. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2010.08.001. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
2.Yong ASJ, Cheong MWL, Hamzah E, Teoh SL. A qualitative study of lived experiences and needs of advanced cancer patients in Malaysia: gaps and steps forward. Qual Life Res. 2023;32(8):2391–402. doi:10.1007/s11136-023-03401-5. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
3.Hart NH, Crawford-Williams F, Crichton M, Yee J, Smith TJ, Koczwara B, et al. Unmet supportive care needs of people with advanced cancer and their caregivers: a systematic scoping review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2022;176(9):103728. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103728. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
4.Wang T, Molassiotis A, Chung BPM, Tan JY. Unmet care needs of advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers: a systematic review. BMC Palliat Care. 2018;17(1):96. doi:10.1186/s12904-018-0346-9. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
5.Cochrane A, Woods S, Dunne S, Gallagher P. Unmet supportive care needs associated with quality of life for people with lung cancer: a systematic review of the evidence 2007–2020. Eur J Cancer Care. 2022;31(1):e13525. doi:10.1111/ecc.13525. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
6.Kocaman Yıldırım N. Oncology nurse in psychosocial care. In: Can G, editor. Oncology nursing. Istanbul: Nobel Medical Bookstores; 2019. p. 1043–56. [Google Scholar]
7.Daem M, Verbrugghe M, Schrauwen W, Leroux S, van Hecke A, Grypdonck M. How interdisciplinary teamwork contributes to psychosocial cancer support. Cancer Nurs. 2019;42(3):E11–20. doi:10.1097/NCC.0000000000000588. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
8.Turnbull Macdonald GC, Baldassarre F, Brown P, Hatton-Bauer J, Li M, Green E, et al. Psychosocial care for cancer: a framework to guide practice, and actionable recommendations for Ontario. Curr Oncol. 2012;19(4):209–16. doi:10.3747/co.19.981. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
9.Oncology Nursing Society. In: Lubejko BG, Wilson BJ, editors. ONS scope and standards of practice. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2019. [Google Scholar]
10.Regulation Amending the Nursing Regulation. Official gazette date of publication 19.04.2011 and no: 27910. 2011. Available from: http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/04/20110419-5.htm [Accessed 2018]. [Google Scholar]
11.Wittenberg E, Reb A, Kanter E. Communicating with patients and families around difficult topics in cancer care using the COMFORT communication curriculum. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2018;34(3):264–73. doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2018.06.007. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
12.Haavisto E, Soikkeli-Jalonen A, Tonteri M, Hupli M. Nurses’ required end-of-life care competence in health centres inpatient ward—a qualitative descriptive study. Scand J Caring Sci. 2021;35(2):577–85. doi:10.1111/scs.12874. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
13.Güner P, Hiçdurmaz D, Kocaman Yıldırım N, İnci F. Psychosocial care from the perspective of nurses working in oncology: a qualitative study. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2018;34(1):68–75. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2018.03.005. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
14.Tay LH, Hegney DG, DNurs EA. A systematic review on the factors affecting effective communication between registered nurses and oncology adult patients in an inpatient setting. JBI Libr Syst Rev. 2010;8(22):869–916. doi:10.11124/jbisrir-2010-149. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
15.Uwayezu MG, Nikuze B, Maree JE, Buswell L, Fitch MI. Competencies for nurses regarding psychosocial care of patients with cancer in Africa: an imperative for action. JCO Glob Oncol. 2022;8(8):e2100240. doi:10.1200/GO.21.00240. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
16.Tunmore R. The consultation liaison nurse. Nursing. 1990;4(3):31–4. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
17.Moore PM, Rivera S, Bravo-Soto GA, Olivares C, Lawrie TA. Communication skills training for healthcare professionals working with people who have cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;7(7):CD003751. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003751.pub4. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
18.Frost MH, Brueggen C, Mangan M. Intervening with the psychosocial needs of patients and families: perceived importance and skill level. Cancer Nurs. 1997;20(5):350–8. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
19.Taş B. Adaptation process to The European Union for Turkey’s new region concept: The nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS). J Soc Sci. 2006;8(2):186–98. [Google Scholar]
20.National Cancer Action Team, National Cancer Programme. The manual for cancer services: psychological support measures, version 1.0. London: National Cancer Programme; 2011. [Google Scholar]
21.Stamm BH. The ProQOL manual. Sidran Press. Available from: http://compassionfatigue.org/pages/ProQOLManualOct05.pdf [Accessed 2005]. [Google Scholar]
22.Yeşil A, Ergün Ü, Amasyalı C, Er F, Olgun NN, Aker AT. Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the professional quality of life scale. Arch Neuropsychiatr. 2010;47:111–7. [Google Scholar]
23.Tabachnick BG, Fidell LS. Using multivariate statistics. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education; 2013. [Google Scholar]
24.Chen CS, Chan SW, Chan MF, Yap SF, Wang W, Kowitlawakul Y. Nurses’ perceptions of psychosocial care and barriers to its provision: a qualitative study. J Nurs Res. 2017;25(6):411–8. doi:10.1097/JNR.0000000000000185. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
25.Chan EA, Tsang PL, Ching SSY, Wong FY, Lam W. Nurses’ perspectives on their communication with patients in busy oncology wards: a qualitative study. PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0224178. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224178. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
26.Clayton MF, Iacob E, Reblin M, Ellington L. Hospice nurse identification of comfortable and difficult discussion topics: associations among self-perceived communication effectiveness, nursing stress, life events, and burnout. Patient Educ Couns. 2019;102(10):1793–1801. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2019.06.013. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
27.Solera-Gómez S, Benedito-Monleón A, LLinares-Insa LI, Sancho-Cantus D, Navarro-Illana E. Educational needs in oncology nursing: a scoping review. Healthcare. 2022;10(12):2494. doi:10.3390/healthcare10122494. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
28.Banerjee SC, Manna R, Coyle N, Shen MJ, Pehrson C, Zaider T, et al. Oncology nurses’ communication challenges with patients and families: a qualitative study. Nurse Educ Pract. 2016;16(1):193–201. doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2015.07.007. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
29.Tariman JD, Szubski KL. The evolving role of the nurse during the cancer treatment decision-making process: a literature review. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2015;19(5):548–56. doi:10.1188/15.CJON.548-556. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
30.Hong J, Song Y, Liu J, Wang W, Wang W. Perception and fulfillment of cancer patients’ nursing professional social support needs: from the health care personnel point of view. Support Care Cancer. 2014;22(4):1049–58. doi:10.1007/s00520-013-2062-6. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
31.Bottaro R, Craparo G, Faraci P. What is the direction of the association between social support and coping in cancer patients? a systematic review. J Health Psychol. 2023;28(6):524–40. doi:10.1177/13591053221131180. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
32.Tabatabaee A, Tafreshi MZ, Rassouli M, Aledavood SA, AlaviMajd H, Farahmand SK. Effect of therapeutic touch in patients with cancer: a literature review. Med Arch. 2016;70(2):142–7. doi:10.5455/medarh.2016.70.142-147. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
33.Vanaki Z, Matourypour P, Gholami R, Zare Z, Mehrzad V, Dehghan M. Therapeutic touch for nausea in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: composing a treatment. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016;22:64–8. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.12.004. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
34.Graf J, Smolka R, Simoes E, Zipfel S, Junne F, Holderried F, et al. Communication skills of medical students during the OSCE: gender-specific differences in a longitudinal trend study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1):75. doi:10.1186/s12909-017-0913-4. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
35.Algamdi M. Prevalence of oncology nurses’ compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurs Open. 2022;9(1):44–56. doi:10.1002/nop2.1070. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
36.Duarte J, Pinto-Gouveia J. The role of psychological factors in oncology nurses’ burnout and compassion fatigue symptoms. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2017;28(3):114–21. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2017.04.002. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
37.Chen F, Leng Y, Li J, Zheng Y. Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in haematology cancer nurses: a cross-sectional survey. Nurs Open. 2022;9(4):2159–70. doi:10.1002/nop2.1226. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
38.Brazeau CM, Schroeder R, Rovi S, Boyd L. Relationships between medical student burnout, empathy, and professionalism climate. Acad Med. 2010;85(10):S33–6. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181ed4c47. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
39.Emold C, Schneider N, Meller I, Yagil Y. Communication skills, working environment and burnout among oncology nurses. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2011;15(4):358–63. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2010.08.001. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [CrossRef]
Published
2024-09-12
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Yıldırım, N., Güner, P., & İnci, F. (2024). The Level of Psychosocial Skills of Nurses Caring for Cancer Patients and Affecting Factors: Results of a Multicenter Study. Psycho-Oncologie, 18(3). Retrieved from https://ojs.piscomed.com/index.php/PO/article/view/3834
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