Congress Abstracts 2003

64

USE OF THE TELEPHONE FOR DELIVERY OF NURSING INTERVENTIONS. Kyra Whitmer, PhD, RN, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; Gail Towsley, MS, and Susan Beck, PhD, RN, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; and Carole Sweeney, MSN, AOCN^®, Anne Slivjak, MSN, AOCN^®, and Andrea Barsevick, DNSc, RN, AOCN^®, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA.

Symptom management is a nursing practice issue. Patients with cancer often experience multiple symptoms that need addressing. However, current practice settings are often characterized by barriers that impede nurse-patient interactions such as abbreviated length of stay and minimal staffing. Creative strategies to provide nursing interventions can facilitate effective symptom management.

While carrying out a randomized trial of an intervention to manage cancer-related fatigue, the feasibility of using the telephone for the delivery of a nursing intervention was assessed.

Specially trained oncology nurses delivered the nursing interventions during three weekly telephone sessions. Participants (n = 396) with breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, gynecologic, or testicular cancer or lymphoma, and receiving either 5-6 weeks of radiation, 3 cycles of chemotherapy, or combined therapy were randomly assigned to receive either the ECAM (energy conservation and activity management) or a nutrition intervention. Upon completion of participation, a random sample of 42 participants was surveyed with regard to their satisfaction with the telephone delivery of the nursing intervention.

Study participants found the telephone delivery of nursing intervention to be both convenient and as effective as face-to-face contact with a nurse. Additionally, they found the information important and helpful and felt the number of telephone calls was appropriate. The telephone, one-on-one, contact was valued by the participants, and they would recommend it. More importantly, the participants used the information provided.

Historically, practitioners have used the telephone as a vehicle for assessment, surveillance, and counseling. Use of the telephone to deliver nursing interventions is feasible, acceptable, and effective. In light of current healthcare constraints, the use of the telephone can extend the ability of the nurse to assist patients in managing their symptoms. (Source of funding: NINR Grant #RO1 04573.)