18th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference Docume

School of Nursing and Midwifery Scoil an Altranais agus an Chnáimhseachais

The Patient Concerns Inventory: A Tool to Uncover Unmet Needs in a Head and Neck Cancer Outpatient Clinic Author(s) Dr. Brendan Noonan Affiliation(s) Lecturer Practitioner, School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC Abstract Background: International improvements in the management of head and neck cancer have resulted in corresponding improvement in 5-year survival rates. With improved survival rates, patients with head and neck cancer venture further along the trajectory of survivorship where they experience a whole range of issues and concerns at different time points. The challenge of providing supportive care that is appropriate, efficient and patient centred begins by being able to identify the concerns of patients. The Head and Neck Patient Concerns Inventory (H&N PCI) is a site-specific previously validated needs assessment tool for use in the outpatient setting, designed to be a holistic, patient reported instrument that aims to identify such concerns. Aim: To Explore the Feasibility of using the H&N PCI in a clinical setting in Ireland. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using a consecutive sampling technique of follow up patients post head and neck cancer treatment (n=122). Registered general nurses (n=7) and surgeons (n=4) were also recruited. Face to face, interviews using a previously validated feasibility feedback questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Over 90% of patients (n=112) considered the PCI to be feasible. All four surgeons believed that the H&N PCI helped them to be more focused in addressing patient concerns during the consultation and were agreeable to its future use. All but one staff nurse (n=6) believed that it was suitable to give the H&N PCI to patients for future clinic visits. Conclusion: The H&N PCI was perceived as feasible. The future proposal is to integrate the H&N PCI into routine head and neck cancer patient management, using touch screen technology in order to evaluate the changing patterns of patient concerns over time. Social Justice and Cultural Competency: What Do Nursing Regulators Expect of Nurses in Ireland and in Canada? Author(s) Dr. Angela Flynn Affiliation(s) Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC Abstract Background : Concerns relating to growing health disparities, as well as inequalities in wider society, have led to a focus on social justice issues within nursing and nurse education. The challenge to nurse educators to prepare graduates to be skilled and safe in their practices, within a globalized and multicultural health care environment, is one that is receiving increasing attention by nurse educators and regulators. The responsibilities of nurses in relation to health inequalities and social injustice is not always clear. Aim: This paper provides a unique comparative perspective on approaches taken by nursing bodies in Ireland and British Columbia, Canada to cultural safety and other social justice matters. Methods: This paper draws on the two contrasting fields of nursing practice in Ireland and in British Columbia, Canada to demonstrate two differing approaches by the respective nursing regulatory and educational authorities. An awareness of the legacy of events and experiences within a nation’s history is

30