Qualitative research

1. The Role of the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist: Addressing the challenges to best meet patient needs • Rationale & background to the study • The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2010 highlighted that the role of the CNS is vital in supporting patients through their cancer journey • It also highlighted the key issues for UCLH patients : • Contacting a CNS is difficult • Some patients with a diagnosis of cancer were not allocated a CNS • Qualitative research • A trust-wide cancer CNS study dayconsidered how the CNS role should evolve to improve the patient experience. • Focus groupsconsidered: • How the introduction of an administration assistant could make a CNS more effective • - How to define and respond to patient expectations • The output from the study day identified five key themes • The role of the CNS needs to be standardised • The scope of the CNS role needs to be clear to patients • The releasing of direct patient care time is essential • Streamlining care between the CNS and ward staff • IT can play a role in the better delivery of CNS care • Quantitative research • Survey Monkeywas used to survey 38 cancer CNS’s • Headline Results: • 1. Administration Overload • 2. Accessing a CNS - Chasing appointments - Telephone queries (not necessary need CNS) - Preparing for clinic Meeting patient - Accessing clinic rooms - Current patient caseload -39% - Time constraints - 39% - Not informed of new patients - 78% 19% 81% Not meeting patient UCLH CNS Action Plan P P P P P P P P P P P P P Rachel Guilliatt Cancer Services Improvement Facilitator Kay Eaton Consultant Nurse Cancer and Supportive Care Vikky Riley Teenage Cancer Trust Nurse Consultant