Catherine M. Bender, PhD, RN
Pittsburgh, PA
cbe100@pitt.edu

Translational research is the clinical application of knowledge gained through research (Fain, 2004). Clear evidence exists of the importance being placed on translational research on the national level. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) roadmap initiative addresses the translation of research into practice, and a research office has been created at NIH to facilitate those efforts. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has funded Translating Research Into Practice programs in an effort to improve the practical application of research, and the Institute of Medicine is examining obstacles to translation in their clinical research roundtables.

Problems translating research to practice are pervasive across all fields of research. Ideally, the process of discovery of new knowledge and translation to practice appears linear and unidirectional. However, in reality, this is seldom the case. The process involved in progress toward translation to practice is frequently bidirectional and laden with fits and starts (Ginexi & Hilton, 2006). Unanticipated roadblocks can and do occur during the process of scientific inquiry, and although they may slow or divert progress for a time, scientists cannot ignore the importance of attending to these roadblocks as a critical element of the process of translation to nursing practice. When developing research ideas, nurse scientists do their best to anticipate and address potential obstacles in their quest to further the science in their research areas. Using theory to guide research helps to minimize potential obstacles. However, many researchers have had the experience of findings that differ from those they expected, leading them to modify their research in some situations.

Other obstacles to translation of research to nursing practice are at the organizational level. As a consequence of the nursing shortage, some nurses have difficulty finding the time to read and interpret research reports and then integrate findings into their practices. Policy makers may have difficulty rationalizing continued support of research priorities when they perceive that ongoing research has minimal tangible results that impact practice (Jennings, 2004).

Several strategies can help to facilitate progress toward translation of research findings into practice. Involvement of clinicians at all levels of the research process is a fundamental step in the process. Clinicians make critical contributions from the inception of the research problem to design and meaningful dissemination of findings. Open and ongoing dialogue with policy makers can help to heighten their awareness of critical lines of inquiry associated with the care of individuals with cancer and ultimately help to influence research priorities.

We also need to explore new vehicles for dissemination of research findings. Publications and presentations in forums more commonly used by clinicians and policy makers may facilitate assimilation of research findings into practice. The ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice^® (PEP) cards and Web-based resources found at www.ons.org/outcomes are an excellent example of important and productive means of communicating evidence-based practice recommendations and state of the science in oncology nursing practice. Their popularity in oncology nursing is a testament to the ongoing commitment of all oncology nurses to improve the care of individuals with cancer.

Finally, we must integrate methods and approaches that promote the development of translational research into the curricula of our doctoral programs as we prepare the next generation of nurse scientists. We will continue to explore ways to facilitate the integration of findings from our research into practice. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas about ways to facilitate this process.

References

Fain, J.A. (2004). Making the case for translational research. Diabetes Educator, 30, 162.

Ginexi, E.M., & Hilton, T.F. (2006). What's next for translational research? Evaluation and the Health Professions, 29, 334–347.

Jennings, B.M. (2004). AAN news and opinion. Translational research: Disrupting the status quo. Nursing Outlook, 52, 66.

Director's Report
2007 Was an Eventful Year for Oncology Nursing Research

Gail Mallory, PhD, RN, CNAA
Pittsburgh, PA
gmallory@ons.org

It is hard to believe that 2007 is nearly over. As usual it has been an eventful year for research, evidence-based practice, ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice^® (PEP), multisite research initiatives, and ONS Foundation research grants.

We now have measurement summaries and evidence-based interventions (ONS PEP resources) for 12 nursing-sensitive patient outcomes available as ONS PEP cards and on the ONS Web site (www.ons.org/outcomes). Thank you to the past and present team leaders for this project, Barbara Holmes Gobel, MS, RN, AOCN^®, and Janelle Tipton, MSN, RN, AOCN^®, and all of the advanced practice nurses, staff nurses, and researchers who worked on the PEP project teams to complete the critiques, syntheses, and summaries so they could be available for the major ONS conferences in 2007. All of the ONS PEP resources will be updated early in 2008 so that a book with the measurement and intervention resources and examples of implementation can be included in a new ONS publication to be debuted at the 2009 ONS Congress. Jan Tipton and Linda Eaton, MN, RN, AOCN^®, will be the coeditors. Linda Eaton, ONS Research Team associate, has been an excellent ONS staff project manager since the beginning of ONS PEP. Heather Blair, MS, RN, ONS Research Team associate, will help facilitate the updating of the ONS PEP resources with Linda.

The ONS Multisite Research Marketing Team met this fall in Pittsburgh, PA. Team members included Carol Estwing Ferrans, PhD, RN, FAAN (project team leader), Dee Dee Boyington, PhD, RN, Jane C. Clark, PhD, RN, AOCN^®, OCN^®, Marcia L. Grant, RN, DNSC, FAAN, Ann M. O'Mara, PhD, RN, AOCN^®, and Mary L. Scott, RN, MS. The charge of this project team is to increase recognition of nurse scientist contributions in the scientific and lay communities. You will be hearing more about their work in the near future.

Please see the article in this issue of the Advanced Nursing Research SIG Newsletter summarizing the work of the ONS Core Data Set/Outcomes Project Team at the Consensus Conference that was held in early August. The project team has been working hard throughout 2007 to bring together many exciting new ideas to facilitate quality cancer care. Thank you to everyone involved, especially Team Leader Diane Otte, MS, RN, AOCN^®.

In 2007, the ONS Foundation awarded $755,000 for research funding. Nine small grants and four major grant awards were funded. The major grant awards address symptom management, breast cancer, and adherence to oral cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Also in 2007, the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) funded a $60,000 research grant award to address the impact of oncology nursing certification on nursing-sensitive patient outcomes. Congratulations to the nurse scientists who received funding from the ONS Foundation and ONCC!

Research and evidence-based practice provide the groundwork for quality cancer care. You all have contributed significantly toward the achievement of the ONS mission to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.

ONS Holds Multisite Research Core Data Set/Outcomes Consensus Conference

Linda Lillington, RN, DNSC
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
llillington@ons.org

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 patient outcomes impacted by oncology 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 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 (National Institutes of Health’s Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Initiative and University of Pittsburgh Center for Research in Chronic Disorders), Kristen McNiff, MPH (American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative), Lori Hoffman-Hogg, RN, MS, AOCN^® (Veterans Affairs Nursing Outcomes Database), and Dianne M. Reeves, RN, MSN (National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid). The other invited members were 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 and 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^® 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 believed 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 the beginning, because 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 of cancer care initiative.

Reference

Consider Applying for the 2008 Putting Evidence Into Practice Project Teams

Linda Eaton, MN, RN, AOCN^®
Mill Creek, WA
leaton@ons.org

The ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice^® (PEP) resources are important clinical tools in providing evidence-based nursing interventions for oncology nursing-sensitive patient outcomes. Volunteer ONS members have worked together in reviewing, critiquing, and synthesizing the scientific evidence to develop a pocket card and Web-based resources. Work groups are comprised of two to three advanced practice nurses, two to three staff nurse partners, and one nurse scientist.

Current ONS PEP resources address caregiver strain and burden, constipation, depression, dyspnea, fatigue, mucositis, nausea and vomiting, pain, peripheral neuropathy, prevention of bleeding, prevention of infection, and sleep-wake disturbances. New ONS PEP resources to be distributed at the 2008 ONS Congress will address anorexia, anxiety, diarrhea, and lymphedema.

Name Change Update
Advanced Nursing Research SIG Will Keep Existing Name

Catherine M. Bender, PhD, RN
Pittsburgh, PA
cbe100@pitt.edu

We had a great deal of discussion during the 2007 Advanced Nursing Research (ANR) SIG planning/networking meeting about the possibility of changing our SIG's name as a way to enhance membership.

Based on that discussion, I sent a communiqué to ANR SIG members to solicit views on the issue. Thirty-three members responded to the communiqué. Although some said that they believed that a name change is warranted, most did not see a real benefit to such a change. Thus, we do not seem to have a strong impetus to change the SIG name at this time.

Articles of Interest
Advanced Nursing Research SIG Members May Enjoy These Recently Published Articles

Check out the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF) for interesting articles about advanced nursing research.

• "Recruiting Patients With Breast Cancer and Their Families to Behavioral Research in the Post-HIPAA Period," by Deborah J. Bowen, PhD, Jesse R. Fann, MD, MPH, M. Robyn Andersen, PhD, Isaac C. Rhew, MPH, Julie R. Gralow, MD, Frances M. Lewis, PhD, RN, Julie R. Hunt, PhD, Melanie Palomares, MD, MS, Carol M. Moinpour, PhD, and Donna P. Ankerst, PhD (Vol. 34, pp. 1049–1054)
• "The Elusive Concept of the Symptom Cluster," by Andrea M. Barsevick, PhD, AOCN^® (Vol. 34, pp. 971–980)
• "Chemotherapy-Related Change in Cognitive Function: A Conceptual Model," by Lisa M. Hess, MA, and Kathleen C. Insel, PhD (Vol. 34, pp. 981–994)
• "A Meta-Analysis of the Sensitivity of Various Neuropsychological Tests Used to Detect Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Breast Cancer," by Catherine E. Jansen, RN, PhD, OCN^®, Christine A. Miaskowski, RN, PhD, FAAN, Marilyn J. Dodd, RN, PhD, FAAN, and Glenna A. Dowling, RN, PhD (Vol. 34, pp. 997–1005)

For access to the full-text versions of these and other ONF articles, visit the Publications area of the ONS Web site.

Reviewers Wanted

The Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing is looking for reviewers. For more information, visit www.ons.org/publications/journals/CJON/reviewersCall.shtml.

Employment Opportunity
ONS Seeks Education Project Manager

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is hiring a candidate who possesses the following to fill the role of Education Project Manager. The ideal candidate will be

• A self-starter to drive daily implementation of educational projects
• An individual who can motivate volunteers and staff to collaborate and produce dynamic, innovative educational programs
• An individual who is able to mentor speakers, develop key opinion leaders, and facilitate group work
• An individual who demonstrates expertise in educational design.

ONS Education Project Managers

• Participate in generative processes to design programs and strategies that will meet oncology nursing education needs.
• Develop project timelines and recruit planning team members.
• Employ principles of project management to plan and execute programs from conception through delivery and outcome measurement, ensuring completion according to the plan, within budget and on time.
• Generate all necessary reports and correspondence documenting program progress and outcomes and lead all status update meetings and reports about projects.

This position requires a strong degree of accountability for overall success in developing and delivering scientifically rigorous educational programming for the oncology nursing audience.

Submit resume and salary history to hrdept@ons.org.

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.

Advanced Nursing Research SIG Officers

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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