Caring (for a Person with Cancer)

Chapter 9: Caring 

Overview:

• Background information on caring as a research topic is provided
• ‘Caring’ is defined and clarified
• The authors study of the exploration of the phenomenon of caring within the practice of oncology is described in detail
• Guidance is listed and detailed explanations are given of the 15 main themes of caring
• Case and academic studies are provided as evidence and tools to aid explanation

Description:

This chapter provides thorough analysis of caring and further clarifies what that indeed includes. The author gives personal insight to her definition of caring and lists the main themes she deems to be most relevant and important to a patient, which can be administered through nurses’ caring abilities. Case studies and academic evidence are given to substantiate all of the author’s comments.

Topics:

• Background
• My Study
  • Establishing relationships and providing comfort
  • Assisting in decision making
  • Administering patient treatments
  • Supporting, alleviating suffering , managing pain
  • Maintaining patient privacy
  • Empowering patients/families
  • Ethical Issues
  • Anticipating patient needs
  • 'Being with' the patient and conveying acceptance
  • Sharing self
  • Encouraging inter-disciplinary teamwork
  • Other issues
• References

Speaker / Author:

Louise Nicholson
Master of Nursing, Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing), Oncology Certified Nurse, USA, Bone Marrow Transplant Co-ordinator, Department of Medical Oncology Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia.

Louise Nicholson completed her general nursing course at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in 1984. She has a mixture of oncology nursing experience gained in both paediatric and adult settings including the Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital in New South Wales and the Paediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York. Between 1989 and 1996 Louise was the Clinical Nurse Consultant at the WP Holman Clinic in Hobart. Recently she was appointed Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator within the Department of Medical Oncology at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The holder of the American credential Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Louise has recently completed her Master of Nursing. In the near future Louise would like to undertake her PhD in nursing with the focus being within oncology clinical practice.

Professional Reviews: