Impact of a pivot nurse in oncology on patients with lung or breast cancer: symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and use of healthcare resources.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine the impact on continuity of nursing care delivered by a pivot nurse in oncology to improve symptom relief and outcomes for patients with lung or breast cancer. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 93) with care by a pivot nurse in oncology and usual care by clinic nurses or to a control group (n = 97) with usual care only. SETTING Three outpatient ambulatory oncology clinics in a large university health center in Quebec, Canada. SAMPLE 113 patients with lung cancer and 77 patients with breast cancer. METHODS Participants in both groups completed the Symptom Distress Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General version 4 at eight intervals over six months. Healthcare usage was evaluated through a review of hospital records. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Symptom distress, fatigue level, quality of life, and healthcare usage. FINDINGS Researchers found no significant differences in symptom distress, fatigue, quality of life, and healthcare usage between groups. CONCLUSIONS The new nursing role did not have an impact on the patient outcomes under study. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Experienced nurses with specialized knowledge of oncology symptom assessment and management may reduce the symptom burden experienced by ambulatory patients with breast or lung cancer during active treatment.