Development of a Comprehensive Model for Cancer Symptom Care for Women With Ovarian or Endometrial Cancer

Abstract

Women with ovarian or endometrial cancer experience multiple symptoms during chemotherapy. Specialized cancer nurses possess specific knowledge and competencies to effectively monitor and manage treatment-related toxicities and provide self-management support. To describe the conception and development of a comprehensive cancer symptom model of care in an oncological setting for women diagnosed with ovarian or endometrial cancer. The participatory evidence-based, patient-focused process for guiding the development, implementation, and evaluation of advanced practice nursing roles—the participatory, evidence-based, patient-centered process for advanced practice (PEPPA) framework directed the process. The first 6 steps of this 9-step framework were utilized to incorporate research evidence, engage, and obtain the input of key stakeholders. Stakeholders (n = 27) contributed with specific knowledge, perspectives, and feedback to the entire development process, and several needs were identified. Following structured discussions, a new model of cancer symptom care with elements such as symptom management, electronic patient-reported outcomes, and an expanded nursing role in the form of nurse-led consultations was developed. We effectively utilized the PEPPA framework to design a new cancer symptom model of care, that was agreed upon by key stakeholders. This stakeholder-engaged, and evidence-driven process could be used as a template for others wanting to develop a population-specific model of care to improve cancer symptom management. With the expansion of the cancer nursing role, the new model has the potential to improve the quality of cancer care and health outcomes related to symptom management.