Delia C. Baquiran, RN, MSN, EMBA
New York, NY
dbaquiran@atlantishp.com

Greetings, Transcultural Nursing Issues (TNI) SIG members! I hope that you are having a productive 2008. The following information from ONS is of particular interest to TNI SIG members.

SIG Council Increases Voice of ONS’s Special Interest Groups
Formed in 2007, the SIG Council is charged with better integration of the SIGs and ONS work. Special thanks go to Wendy Vogel, RN, MSN, FNP, AOCNP^®, who served as SIG Council chair for the first year. Chair-Elect Seth Eisenberg, RN, ADN, OCN^®, will assume leadership in May.
 
The SIG Council is comprised of 30 volunteer leaders: current SIG coordinators, one chair, and one ONS Board of Directors (BOD) liaison. The ONS BOD liaison and chair are nonvoting members. The 30 volunteer members work together to address areas of mutual concern, identify opportunities for collaboration, and bring forth recommendations for ONS programs, products, and services.

The roles of volunteer members of the SIG Council are defined as follows.

• Coordinators: Represent issues and concerns of the SIG and, as appropriate, make recommendations to the ONS BOD
• Liaison: Provides direct link to the ONS BOD
• Chair: Communicates with the ONS BOD liaison, compiles and submits SIG Council’s recommendations to the ONS BOD, and works directly with ONS staff

Functions of the chair include

• Scheduling meetings, planning agendas, and chairing meetings
• Communicating regularly with the ONS BOD liaison
• Speaking with the SIG Council
• Continuously evaluating the group process
• Collaborating with ONS staff in the development of budget requests to the ONS BOD
• Preparing an annual report that documents the SIG Council’s completed, current, and future work and accomplishments.

Staff from the ONS Membership and Leadership Team will support the activities of the SIG Council. The role of the support staff is to be available, time-oriented, and able to achieve rapid organizational development, implementation, and evaluation of designated recommendations.

SIG Council members will maintain a high level of visibility among members (i.e., at the SIG and national levels). Each SIG Council member must serve on a work group. The following are the SIG Council’s five work groups and their respective goals.

• Improve Awareness and Presence of SIGs at National Meetings Work Group: Improve awareness and presence of SIGs among the membership.
• Improving Communication To/From ONS Board Work Group: Seek ways to improve communication and relations between the SIGs and the ONS BOD.
• Intra-SIG Communication Work Group: Examine and suggest ways to improve communication within a SIG.
• SIG Expert Identification Work Group: Develop criteria for identification and then publication of “experts” within the SIG Web Site Work Group.
• SIG Web Site Work Group: Identify ways in which the ONS Web site and virtual communities can better serve the SIGs and their goals.

As coordinator of the TNI SIG, I am a volunteer member and chose to join the SIG Expert Identification Work Group. This group is working on identifying criteria for experts in the different areas of oncology practice, research, and education. As our work evolves, we will be coming to you for feedback and participation so that we can uncover the expert in you!

ONS Launches New Diversity Initiative
In line with the ONS Strategic Plan, the Diversity Champions program will assist in managing diversity and inclusiveness initiatives in various aspects of the Society, including membership recruitment and retention, cultural competency, educational programming, and publication production. The program will encourage oncology nurses to take personal responsibility and a positive attitude toward diversity issues and then transform that view into optimistic organizational responses and change. Diversity Champions will lay the groundwork toward furthering inclusiveness and a welcoming Society at the chapter level. Very importantly, they also will encourage current members within diverse demographics to take on leadership roles within ONS.

The mission of the Diversity Champions program is to promote understanding, acceptance, and tolerance toward ONS members of diverse backgrounds by providing an inclusive environment and to increase the diversity representing the Society at all levels. Diversity Champions seek to achieve the following goals.

• Recruit members of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles to ONS.
• Ensure adequate representation of all groups in ONS programs and activities.
• Develop educational programs regarding various cultures and groups.
• Recruit more minorities, students, men, and diploma nurses into mentoring programs.
• Encourage members to champion job shadowing initiatives.
• Encourage diverse members and nonmembers to move outside of their comfort zones and seek out leadership opportunities for which they are qualified within ONS.
• Serve as a catalyst for improved workforce development.
• Identify challenges in the cancer practice setting that are unique to underrepresented groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, men, diploma nurses).
• Schedule programs and provide concepts and strategies essential to understanding culturally competent care in the cancer practice setting.
• Expand awareness and knowledge of racial and ethnic disparities in cancer illness and wellness.
• Promote diversity and inclusiveness of thought and style among ONS members and across all ONS products, services, and programs.

Diversity Champions will promote the program to and solicit participation among ONS members through one-on-one interactions and other available vehicles, projects, and programs. They will offer an environment in which members can expand their participation, skills, interests, and networks. Members can communicate their experiences with the Diversity Champions, who then will share feedback with the related ONS department(s) and fully work on the members’ behalf to ensure appropriate consideration and action. Diversity Champions also will provide updates to the ONS Board, and their activities will be featured on the ONS Web site and virtual communities and in ONS publications.

To learn more about ONS’s Diversity Champions program, contact ONS Member Relations Manager Kate Shaughnessy at kshaughnessy@ons.org or call 412-859-6238.

ONS Journal Addresses Poverty and Human Development
In collaboration with more than 230 other journals worldwide, the November 2007 Oncology Nursing Forum participated in a global theme issue on poverty and human development. The concept was developed by the Council of Science Editors to stimulate international interest in poverty and human development. For more information, click here.

New SIG Coordinator-Elect to Be Named
This year, the TNI SIG will elect a new coordinator-elect. Please remember to complete and return the SIG ballot, which must be postmarked by February 10.

Encourage High School Students to Follow in Our Footsteps
Would you like to participate in a mentorship program to address high school students who might be interested in pursuing a nursing career? Last year, under the aegis of the New York City Chapter of ONS, I participated in a similar program. The nurse volunteers contacted high schools in their communities, asking to speak to students about nursing careers. The experience was very rewarding, especially at a time when the nursing shortage is upon us and the question “Who will follow in our footsteps?” is a real challenge.

TNI SIG Members on the Go
At the 2007 Institutes of Learning in Chicago, IL, two TNI SIG members presented sessions: Linda Cothron, RN, MS, ARNP, OCN^®, presented “Every Cancer Patient Deserves to Have an Oncology Nurse—But How Do we Reach the Ones Who Don’t?” and Jeannine Brant, RN, MS, AOCN^®, presented “Nurturing the Caregiver’s Heart, Mind, and Soul.” Linda and Jeannine have agreed to write summaries of their presentations for the next issue of our newsletter.

The TNI SIG also was represented at the International Leadership Development Institute, where ONS collaborated with the Israeli Oncology Nursing Society and Middle East Cancer Consortium to present a workshop in December 2007. SIG Newsletter Editor Hanan Saca-Hazboun, BSN, MSN, presented "Cancer Care in Palestine."

Congratulations to all!

Share Your Favorite Cultural Competency Web Resources

Delia C. Baquiran, RN, MSN, EMBA
New York, NY
dbaquiran@atlantishp.com

In the 2007 SIG survey, an area that respondents identified as needing improvement is the sharing of resources. To address this need, I have compiled a list of government and racial and ethnic organizational Web resources that are very informative because of the breadth of knowledge, research, checklists, and continuing education offerings that they offer. This compilation was adapted from the Intercultural Cancer Council’s Cultural Competence in Cancer Care: A Health Care Professional’s Passport, a pocket guide to assist healthcare professionals who work with racial and ethnic minorities and underserved groups. Please help us add to this list as you discover other resources.

Administration on Aging: Cultural Competency

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2006

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: “Providing Care to Diverse Populations”

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations

Health Resources and Services Administration

Indian Health Services

Kaiser Family Foundation: Minority Health

Medical University of South Carolina: The Provision of Culturally Competent Health Care

National Cancer Institute: Cancer Topics

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Strategy for Addressing Health Disparities

National Human Genome Research Institute

National Institutes of Health: Minority Initiatives

Native American Cancer Research

Native CIRCLE: American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange

Office of Minority Health

Office of Minority Health: National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services

Overview of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States and California

Patient Advocate Foundation

Pew Hispanic Center

The Provider’s Guide to Quality and Culture

Redes en Acción: The National Latino Cancer Research Network

State of New Jersey Office of Minority and Multicultural Health

University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences

Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG Meeting Minutes

Click here to review the TNI SIG minutes from our 2007 Congress meeting.

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Virtual Community Navigation 101
Take a Tour Your SIGs Virtual Community

All oncology nurses spend hours every day navigating patients through the bewildering maze of the medical system. Why not also take time to navigate through your SIG’s virtual community (VC)? It can serve as a library for all kinds of information, professional support, and resources for you and your patients.
To access your SIG’s VC, follow these steps.

• Log on to the Internet.
• Type www.ons.org in your browser's address box.
• Select the "Membership" tab.
• Click on "Special Interest Group (SIG) Virtual Community."
• Arrive at the "SIGs Virtual Community Main Page" of the SIGs Virtual Communities.
• Select "Find a SIG" from the top of the main page.
• Click on your SIG’s link to access the VC.

You've arrived! To ensure easier access, make your SIG’s VC one of your "Favorites" by clicking on Favorites located on your computer’s tool bar at the top of the display.

Now you can check out all that your SIG’s VC has to offer. You do not need to log in to look through the page. At the top of the page, you will see a tool bar with tabs on it. The tabs include My SIG Page, About Us, News, Scrapbook, Calendar, Discussion, Find a SIG, and ONS National Announcements. Let’s look at some of the key sections of select tabs.

SIG Home

• Join: Find details about joining an additional SIG; one is free with your membership.
• Membership Directory: Log in using your ONS user name and password to search for a member of your SIG.
• Contact ONS: Learn how to contact ONS’s Membership/Leadership team by postal or e-mail.

About Us

• Our Leadership: Locate members who are currently serving as your SIG’s leaders.
• Strategic Plan: View your SIG's mission statement and strategic plan.

News

• Educational News: Find available resources for nurses.
• Minutes: Read various meeting minutes.
• SIG Newsletters: View previous newsletters.
• Scrapbook: View photographs from SIG meetings.

Calendar

• Refer to a month-by-month calendar of events relating to your SIG.

Discussion

• Network with colleagues who share similar interests and expertise.

ONS National Announcements

• Locate updated information pertinent to the entire ONS membership.

Institute of Medicine Releases Report on Psychosocial Care for Patients With Cancer

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a special committee to look at the delivery of psychosocial services to patients with cancer and their families and identify ways to improve the provision of care. The results, which were released in November 2007, are published in Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs.

The findings state that many patients with cancer have psychosocial needs. Although the supply of services is insufficient to address all patient needs, untapped resources exist, frequently at no additional cost. Patients, however, often are unaware of these resources. The committee proposed that all components of the healthcare system incorporate attention to patient psychosocial needs into practice. This new standard of care recommends that all cancer care should ensure the provision of appropriate psychosocial services by

• Facilitating effective communication between patients and providers
• Identifying patients’ psychosocial health needs
• Designing and implementing a plan that
  –Links patients with needed psychosocial services
  –Coordinates biomedical and psychosocial care
  –Engages and supports patients in managing their illness and health.
• Systematically following-up on, reevaluating, and adjusting plans.

ONS Holds Multisite Research Core Data Set/Outcomes Consensus Conference

ONS has been exploring the role it can play in outcomes measurement and multisite research as part of the Outcomes and Multisite Research Strategic Plans. The Nursing-Sensitive Patient Outcomes White Paper (Given & Sherwood, 2005), published in the Oncology Nursing Forum as a result of the 2003 Outcomes Project Team, provided important background for the examination and evaluation of oncology patient outcomes impacted by nursing interventions. Simultaneously, the interest of ONS research members in identifying ONS’s role in facilitating the use of the same research plan across several sites and pooling data for interpretation and dissemination has led to the development of several initiatives. The outcomes and multisite research initiatives came together at the recent Multisite Research Core Data Set/Outcomes Consensus Conference held August 4–5, 2007.

Several experts were invited to join the Core Data Set Project Team to share and present their expertise in defining outcomes, developing quality indicators, and collecting and storing large data sets. The presenters included Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, PhD, RN, FAAN, from the National Institutes of Health’s Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Initiative and the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research in Chronic Disorders; Kristen McNiff, MPH, from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative; Lori Hoffman-Hogg, RN, MS, AOCN^®, from the Veterans Affairs Nursing Outcomes Database; and Dianne M. Reeves, RN, MSN, from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid. Other invited members included Susie Beck, PhD, ARPN, AOCN^®, Deborah Eldredge, PhD, RN, Barb Holmes-Gobel, MS, RN, AOCN^®, and Lori A. Williams, RN, DSN, OCN^®, AOCN^®.

The focus of the consensus conference was to identify a set of core data elements that are meaningful to oncology nurses, patients, and stakeholders and to devise a strategy for collection and use in clinical practice, research, and administration. The group came together to brainstorm, reach consensus on nursing-sensitive measures (core data elements, core data set, and outcomes), and generate ideas for strategies to facilitate implementation in various clinical and research settings. Discussion focused on considerations important in planning and implementing an oncology nursing outcomes measurement program, including the role that ONS can contribute as a professional society.

ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice (PEP^®) resources were considered as the basis for the selection of core data elements. A review of proposed core data elements, their related measures, and criteria for selection, prepared by Christopher Friese, PhD, RN, AOCN^®, and Dorothy Dulko, PhD, RN, MS, NP, identified core data elements to be considered for use, including fatigue, pain, oral assessment, performance status, emotional distress, neurotoxicity, neutropenia, sleep, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and demographic characteristics. The consensus conference participants felt that ONS core data elements for common data collection should aim to provide consistency in nursing core measures across local, regional, and national settings.

The consensus conference yielded many activities that are consistent with several national and international initiatives related to quality cancer care and quality nursing care. The work of the 2007 Core Data Set/Outcomes Consensus Conference Project Team is just beginning, as this will be a long-term initiative with several intermediate steps, ultimately leading to data that will demonstrate the impact of oncology nursing interventions on quality cancer care. ONS has the potential to be in a unique leadership role in this complex and important quality cancer care initiative.

Reference

Given, B.A., & Sherwood, P.R. (2005). Nursing sensitive patient outcomes—A white paper. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32, 773-784.

CJON Seeks Reviewers

Put your knowledge and expertise to work by becoming a reviewer for the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. For more information, click here.

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Articles of Interest
Transcultural Nursing Issues SIG Members May Enjoy These Recently Published Articles

Check out the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF) for interesting articles about transcultural nursing issues.

• “The Meanings of and Attitudes About Cancer Pain Among African Americans” by Salimah H. Meghani, PhD, MBE, CRNP, and Arlene D. Houldin, PhD, APRN, BC (Vol. 34, pp. 1179–1186)
• “Nursing Interventions to Promote Dignified Dying in Four Countries” by Amy Coenen, PhD, RN, FAAN, Ardith Z. Doorenbos, PhD, RN, and Sarah A. Wilson, PhD, RN (Vol. 34, pp. 1151–1156)
• “Challenges and Strategies in Recruitment of Ethnically Diverse Populations for Cancer Nursing Research” by M. Tish Knobf, RN, PhD, Gloria Juarez, RN, PhD, Shiu-Yu Katie Lee, RN, DNSc, Virginia Sun, RN, MSN, Yiyuan Sun, RN, DNSc, and Emily Haozous, RN, MSN (Vol. 34, pp. 1187–1194)
• “Determining Female Physicians’ and Nurses’ Practices and Attitudes Toward Breast Self-Examination in Istanbul, Turkey” by Ýkbal Çavdar, RN, PhD, Neriman Akyolcu, RN, PhD, Ayfer Özbaş, RN, PhD, Deniz Öztekin, RN, PhD, Tuluha Ayoğu, RN, MSN, and Nuray Akyüz, RN, PhD (Vol. 34, pp. 1218–1221)
• “Effects of a Culturally Sensitive Education Program on the Breast Cancer Knowledge and Beliefs of Hispanic Women” by Cathy P. Hall, MSN, RN, OCN,^®, John D. Hall, PhD, LP, SPS, NCSP, Judith T. Pfriemer, MSN, RN, Paige D. Wimberley, MSN, RN, and Craig H. Jones, EdD (Vol. 34, pp. 1195–1202)
• “Cervical Cancer Beliefs and Pap Test Screening Practices Among Chinese American Immigrants” by Frances Lee-Lin, PhD, RN, OCN^®, CNS, Marjorie Pett, Mstat, DSW, Usha Menon, PhD, RN, Sharon Lee, PhD, Lillian Nail, PhD, CNS, Kathi Mooney, PhD, RN, and Joanne Itano, PhD, RN, OCN^® (Vol. 34, pp. 1203–1209)
• “Symptoms, Self-Care, and Quality of Life of Chinese American Patients With Cancer” by Fang-yu Chou, RN, PhD, Marylin Dodd, RN, PhD, FAAN, Donald Abrams, MD, and Geraldine Padilla, PhD (Vol. 34, pp. 1162–1167)
• “Social, Marital, and Sexual Adjustment of Israeli Men Whose Wives Were Diagnosed With Breast Cancer” by Ilana Kadmon, RN, PhD, Freda DeKeyser Ganz, RN, PhD, Miri Rom, RN, PhD, and Anna C. Woloski-Wruble, RN, EdD (Vol. 35, pp. 131–135)

Membership Information

SIG Membership Benefits

• Network with colleagues in an identified subspecialty area around the country.
• Contribute articles for your SIG’s newsletter.
• Participate in discussions with other SIG members.
• Contribute to the future path of the SIG.
• Share your expertise.
• Support and/or mentor a colleague.
• Receive information about the latest advancements in treatments, clinical trials, etc.
• Participate in ONS leadership by running for SIG coordinator-elect or join SIG work groups.
• Acquire information with a click of a mouse at http://ons.org/membership including
• Educational opportunities for your subspecialty
• Education material on practice
• Calls to action
• News impacting or affecting your specific SIG
• Newsletters
• Communiqués
• Meeting minutes.

Join a Virtual Community

A great way to stay connected to your SIG is to join its Virtual Community. It’s easy to do so. All you will need to do is

• Log on to the ONS Web site (http://www.ons.org/).
• Select "Membership" from the tabs above.
• Then, click on "ONS Chapters and Special Interest Groups."
• Scroll down to "Visit the ONS Special Interest Groups (SIG) Virtual Community" and click.
• Now, select "Find a SIG."
• Locate and click on the name of your SIG from the list of all ONS SIGs displayed.
• Once the front page of your SIG’s Virtual Community appears on screen, select "New User" from the top left. (This allows you to create log-in credentials.)
• Type the required information into the text fields as prompted.
• Click "Join Group" (at the bottom right of the text fields) when done.
  
  Special Notices
  
  
• If you already have log-in credentials generated from the ONS Web site, use this information instead of attempting to generate new information.
• If you created log-in credentials for the ONS Web site and wish to have different log-in information, you will not be able to use the same e-mail address to generate your new credentials. Instead, use an alternate e-mail address.

Subscribe to Your SIG’s Virtual Community Discussion Forum

All members are encouraged to participate in their SIG’s discussion forum. This area affords the opportunity for exchange of information between members and nonmembers on topics specific to all oncology subspecialties. Once you have your log-in credentials, you are ready to subscribe to your SIG’s Virtual Community discussion forum. To do so,

• Select "Log In," located next to "New User," and enter your information.
• Next, click on the "Discussion" tab on the top right of the title bar.
• Now, select "Featured Discussion" from the left drop-down menu.
• Locate and select "Subscribe to Discussion" inside the "Featured Discussion" section.
• Go to "Subscription Options" and select "Options."
• When you have selected and entered all required criteria, you will receive a confirmation message.
• Click "Finish."
• You are now ready to begin participating in your SIG’s discussion forum.

Participate in Your SIG’s Virtual Community Discussion Forum

• First, log in. (This allows others to identify you and enables you to receive notification [via e-mail] each time a response or new topic is posted.)
• Click on "Discussion" from the top title bar.
• Select "Featured Discussion" from the left drop-down menu.
• Click on any posted topic to view contents and post responses.

Sign Up to Receive Your SIG’s Virtual Community Announcements

As an added feature, members also are able to register to receive their SIG’s announcements by e-mail.

• From your SIG’s Virtual Community page, locate the "Sign Up Here to Receive Your SIG’s Announcements" section. This appears above the posted announcements section.
• Select the "Click Here" feature, which will take you to a link to subscribe.
• Once the "For Announcement Subscription Only" page appears on select how you wish to receive your announcements.
• As individual e-mails each time a new announcement is posted
• One e-mail per day comprised of all new daily announcements posted
• Opt-out, indicating that you will frequently browse your SIG’s Virtual Community page for new postings
• Enter your e-mail address.
• Click on "Next Page."
• Because you have already joined your SIG’s Virtual Community, you will receive a security prompt with your registered user name already listed. Enter your password at this prompt and click "Finish."
• This will bring up a listing of your SIG’s posted announcements. Click on "My SIG’s Page" to view all postings in their entirety or to conclude the registration process and begin browsing.

Know someone who would like to receive a print copy of this newsletter?
To print a copy of this newsletter from your home or office computer, click here or on the printer icon located on the SIG Newsletter front page. Print copies of each online SIG newsletter also are available through the ONS National Office. To have a copy mailed to you or another SIG member, contact Membership/Leadership Administrative Assistant Carol DeMarco at cdemarco@ons.org or 866-257-4ONS, ext. 6230.

To view past newsletters, click here.

ONS Membership/Leadership Team Contact Information

Angie Stengel, MS, CAE, Director of Membership/Leadership
astengel@ons.org
412-859-6244

Diane Scheuring, MBA, CMP, Manager of Member Services
dscheuring@ons.org
412-859-6256

Carol DeMarco, Membership/Leadership Administrative Assistant
cdemarco@ons.org
412-859-6230

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) does not assume responsibility for the opinions expressed and information provided by authors or by Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Acceptance of advertising or corporate support does not indicate or imply endorsement of the company or its products by ONS or the SIG. Web sites listed in the SIG newsletters are provided for information only. Hosts are responsible for their own content and availability.

Oncology Nursing Society
125 Enterprise Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214
866-257-4ONS
412-859-6100
www.ons.org