Research Funding - Result Summaries of ONS Foundation Completed Funded Projects - ONS Foundation/CLIR Major Grants
Terry A. Badger, PhD, RN
Professor, The University of Arizona, Tucson
Contact Information: tbadger@nursing.arizona.edu
"Telephone Intervention: Rural Women with Cancer & Their Practices"
ONS Foundation CLIR/Symptom Management Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information and Research through an unrestricted grant from Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
Funding: $50,000
Funding Period: June 1, 2001 - May 31, 2002
Final Report Received: July 29, 2003
SUMMARY
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a telephone interpersonal counseling intervention (TIP-C) compared to a usual care control group on women's and their partners' abilities to manage cancer treatment-related symptoms of depression and fatigue, quality of life, social support, stress, marital/partner relations and cancer knowledge. Both women with breast cancer and their partners reported improved symptom management and quality of life after participation in the TIP-C intervention. Women reported decreased negative affect, fatigue, and increased positive affect and overall quality of life. The partners reported decreased negative affect, and increased positive affect and overall quality of life as well.
Abstract
Donna L. Berry, PhD, RN, AOCN®
Associate Professor, University of Washington
Contact Information: donnalb@u.washington.edu
"Computerized Symptom and Quality-of-Life Assessment in Clinical Practice"
ONS Foundation CLIR/Symptom Management Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information and Research through an unrestricted grant from Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
Funding: $50,000
Funding Period: June 1, 2001 - May 31, 2002
Final Report Received: February 11, 2003
SUMMARY
The purpose of this pilot study of 101 oncology patients and 10 of their clinicians was to develop and evaluate a technically and clinically feasible method of computerized patient assessment. The web-based version of a quality of life measure and a cancer symptom assessment was found highly acceptable to patients. The clinicians appraised the color graphic output as helpful and useful in practice. Patients were found to experience moderate levels of symptom distress and dysfunction in various areas of quality of life.
Abstract
Donna Clemmens, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, New York University
Contact Information: dcstamf@aol.com
"Adolescent Daughters and Mothers with Breast Cancer"
ONS Foundation CLIR/Outcomes Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information and Research through an unrestricted grant from Genentech, Inc.
Funding: $20,000
Funding Period: December 30, 2001 - December 29, 2002
Final Report Received: June 23, 2003
SUMMARY
The purpose of the study was to increase the understanding of adolescents' experiences, as described from their perspective, in living with and communicating about their mothers' diagnosis of breast cancer. Being told about their mothers' breast cancer caused all of the adolescent participants to reflect upon the meaning of motherhood and their relationship with their mother. The most stressful times for all the adolescents occurred during initial diagnosis and maternal treatments for cancer. At these times the adolescents felt conflicted, worried, and often reacted with poor school and sports performance. Some adolescents felt misunderstood by their mothers when they were struggling to be strong. Open communication was important in being able to openly discuss their worries within the family. Supportive relationships with a few peers or key personnel in school also helped these adolescents cope with their worries.
Abstract
Norma Kay Krumwiede, EdD, RN
Associate Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Contact Information: norma.krumwiede@mnsu.edu
"Understanding Family Experience of Neutropenia"
ONS Foundation CLIR/Neutropenia Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information and Research through an unrestricted grant from Amgen Inc.
Funding: $100,000
Funding Period: December 1, 2001 - November 30, 2002
Final Report Received: March 4, 2003
SUMMARY
The purpose of this study was to understand the rural families' experience of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. A diagnosis of neutropenia meant that hope for cure was tempered. The experience of waiting for chemotherapy to resume was described as being on a roller coaster. A central family social process was identified as turbulent waiting with intensified connections. Waiting during the time of neutropenia was turbulent, often requiring change in pre-existing family patterns and introducing a fear of loss. The forced interruption in treatment was a time to reemphasize the importance of family relationships and neutropenia was a clear reminder of potential mortality. As a result, intensified connections occurred within the family, and extended beyond to nurses, doctors and community members. Families responded to the turbulent waiting through family caring strategies including inquiry, vigilance and balancing. Successful implementation of family caring strategies resulted in reframed family integrity and enhanced capacity for caring.
Abstract
Anita Nirenberg, MS, RN, CNP, AOCN®
Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, Columbia University School of Nursing
Contact Information: an207@columbia.edu
"Oncology NP: ED Intervention for Febrile Neutropenia"
ONS Foundation CLIR/Neutropenia Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information and Research through an unrestricted grant from Amgen Inc.
Funding: $100,000
Funding Period: December 1, 2001 - November 30, 2002
Final Report Received: May 12, 2003
SUMMARY
The purpose of the study was to examine length of time from emergency department (ED) admission to definitive febrile neutropenia treatment during nights, weekends and holidays. The Talcott's risk assessment model was used. Findings indicated that patients with febrile neutropenia seen in the ED waited a mean of 90 minutes from triage to assessment, 242 minutes from triage to IV antibiotic therapy, 362 minutes from triage to inpatient admission, and had a mean of 4 days from ED triage to recovery. Patients who had extensive cancer and/or comorbidities and febrile neutropenia waited the longest time from triage to assessment. No patients developed sepsis nor were there ICU admissions. Patients were febrile an average of 21 hours before coming in to be seen in the ED. All of the patients were hospitalized for febrile neutropenia.
Abstract
Deborah L. Volker, PhD, RN, AOCN®
Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Contact Information: dvolker@mail.nur.utexas.edu
"Patient Control and End-of-Life Care"
ONS Foundation CLIR/Outcomes Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation Center for Leadership, Information and Research through an unrestricted grant from Genentech, Inc.
Funding: $25,000
Funding Period: May 1, 2001 - April 30, 2002
Final Report Received: April 19, 2003
SUMMARY
The purpose of this study was to: a) explore the nature of what patients with advanced cancer want regarding personal control and comfort at the end of life, and b) explore strategies oncology advanced practice nurses use to assist those patients to achieve personal control and comfort at the end of life. Both patients with advanced cancer and advanced practice oncology nurses were interviewed. Themes from the patient interviews included protection of one's dignity, prevention of pain and other physical suffering, management of impact on family, management of how time is spent, and control over the dying process. Themes from the APN interviews included presenting bad news within a context of choices, helping people anticipate the "what ifs", and managing physical and emotional distress. Findings from this study provide insight into patient preferences and APNs' strategies for control and comfort at EOL, and can be used to improve clinical care for patients with advanced cancer.
Abstract
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