In this issue of The Oncology Nurse-APN/PA (TON), we provide our readers with a variety of articles aimed at helping them stay informed on important issues facing nurses, navigators, and advanced practice providers.
We begin this issue with an insightful interview with Margaret Rummel, RN, MHA, OCN, NE-BC, HON-ONN-CG, a seasoned oncology nurse navigator at Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman Center, Philadelphia, PA (see here). In this article, Ms Rummel explains how the nursing professionals at her center are working to overcome some of the challenges they have faced during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She also offers helpful strategies for navigating patients with cancer through the continuum of care.
“Our team has been working remotely since the beginning of the pandemic, which has been a big adjustment. However, we have risen to the challenge,” she said.
This issue of TON also features highlights from national and international meetings, which cover a variety of topics aimed at improving clinical outcomes, mitigating healthcare inequities, reducing financial toxicity for patients, and enhancing communication and collaboration among team members.
In a presentation during the virtual 2020 Healthcare Administration Alliance Conference, Allysceaeioun D. Britt, PhD, MPH, discussed key strategies that are necessary to successfully gather and assess social determinants of health, which can lead to improved patient outcomes (see here).
“To provide optimal health outcomes we must first look at what factors truly influence or determine one’s health. The 5 categories of determinants of health are genetics, behavior, environmental and physical influences, medical care, and social factors.” she explained.
This issue of TON also includes highlights from the virtual 2020 ASH Annual Meeting, including emerging data on the use of novel agents and combination regimens in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies.
In a noteworthy session, Sagar Lonial, MD, FACP, discussed post-hoc analysis results from a trial of an investigational anti–B-cell maturation antigen antibody–drug conjugate in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (see here).
“Blenrep achieved deep and durable responses, with no notable alterations in its safety profile, even when patients had received 7 or more prior lines of therapy,” he said.
We also feature an interview with Renee Cecil, DNP, RN, CEN, TCRN, SANE, NREMT, who addresses the growing problem of nurse burnout related to the various demands caused by the pandemic (see here).
“Now more than ever, we need leaders capable of offering the emotional support needed to empathize, look after each nurse’s personal well-being, and ensure everyone feels valued and heard,” she said.
We also bring you the latest news on FDA-approved and investigational therapies being used in the treatment of a wide range of malignancies.
As always, we hope that you will enjoy this issue of TON, and we invite you to visit www.TheOncologyNurse.com to share your feedback with us. You can also send an e-mail with any questions or comments you may have to info@TheOncologyNurse.com.
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