Abstrato

Educational needs for personalized Nursing Care in Precision Oncology

Spanakis M, Patelarou E, Laliotis A, and Patelarou A

Precision cancer care uses specific information regarding the genomic and genetic characteristics of a person’s tumor to assist in diagnosis, plan treatment, treatment effectiveness, and prediction of tumor response. Based on the genotype and phenotype of a tumor and its microenvironment, precision oncology aims to fully characterize a tumor and deliver the right treatment to the right patient. The interdisciplinary infrastructure and methodologies needed to universally adopt the vision of precision cancer care also require the updated role of nursing personnel towards precision health. Personalized nursing care in the context of oncology nursing requires the adoption of translational research into clinical practice, high level of nurses’ genetic and genomic background knowledge, implementation of system pharmacology, and integration of novel therapies in daily routine in healthcare. In this respect, it is essential for cancer nurses to acquire new knowledge and skills, fully embrace the new evidence, implement it in clinical practice and, moreover, integrate the new field of precision health in their continuing professional development training. Educational strategies to increase genetic and genomic competence of nursing personnel regarding tumor biomarkers, novel chemotherapy schemes, molecular-targeted therapies, and immunotherapy will enhance the adoption of precision and personalized health in cancer care.  As a result, nurses’ role in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management as well, will be advanced while at the same time quality of nursing care will be improved through patient advocacy and support, disease monitoring and increased therapy adherence and compliance.