You get to help people during a really tough time, helping to make a difference, and you get paid for it. For Reanne that was a profound moment: to be there for someone during those really difficult times, is a privilege. The work is hard but highly rewarding. But it is the connections, seeing the person as they are a person and appreciating what they are going through.
Always keeping the patient/caregiver and that experience central helps to clarify the work in oncology nursing. The challenges for patients are many. Effective communication between all stakeholders is essential. The community organizations, family physicians, the cancer centers, the patients/caregivers, and other organizations all play a key role. Currently, we are still heavy on the provider side of things, and we need better collaboration, especially between providers and patients.
There is a recognition on the CANO/ACIO board and with CANO/ACIO members that more advocacy for patients and caregivers is needed. Things like access to drug, treatment, and supportive care services, particularly for people residing in rural and remote areas, are needed. Innovations such as telemedicine may allow for better access for many, but it is essential to ensure that people have access to devices and technology and know how to use them. CANO/ACIO can leverage the voice of oncology nurses to advocate for patients/ caregivers across the country and to make the experience that they are living through as good as possible. Oncology nurses spend a lot of time with patients and can provide support to patients not only during appointments or treatments, but also in those moments in between.
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Reanne acknowledges that much has changed in oncology over the past decade. Oncology is a really dynamic field and there have been huge advances in terms of understanding tumor biology and pathology, and that has led to very incredible new treatments and innovative approaches. And there are new treatments coming out every day, so it is very optimistic and hopeful. However, Reanne indicated that psychosocial and supportive care have not necessarily kept pace with all the advances in treatment. And she feels that this is where oncology nurses have stepped up and will continue to step. Nurses are trained to look more at the individual person, in a comprehensive way, rather than just seeing the disease. Understanding cancer and the various forms of treatment are essential but it is critically important to understand the person from a very holistic perspective. Who is the person? What are their goals and wishes? How has cancer impacted their lives and their ability to do the things they want to do? How has cancer impacted their loved ones? What can be done to help alleviate the burden of cancer on the patient and their family and loved ones?
This is where oncology nurses will continue to excel and continue to contribute to excellence in clinical practice, education, research, and leadership in cancer care.
CANO/ACIO recognizes the need to address equity and access to comprehensive cancer care both within Canada, but also globally Reanne anticipates that over the next few years, CANO/ACIO and oncology nurses will become more involved in advocacy, and a huge part of that is collaborating with patients and different patient organizations.
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Reanne states that she is incredibly proud of oncology nurses’ commitment to their patients, and this has not waivered, not because of COVID, not because of staffing shortages. Oncology nurses have been enduringly there for patients now and always! Reanne also wants oncology nurses to be viewed as the experts they are. They are experts both in terms of cancer care, but also in terms of compassion and care for patients, family members and loved ones.
There was so much more to our conversation and we as patient advocates look forward to hearing more from Reanne and CANO/ACIO. Thank you to Reanne and all the oncology nurses in Canada.
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