Survivorship Care Planning
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Oncology Nursing course at UK School of Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Survivorship Care Planning #
Survivorship Care Planning
Survivorship care planning is a crucial aspect of oncology nursing that involves… #
This plan is designed to help survivors transition from active treatment to the post-treatment phase, focusing on long-term survivorship issues such as monitoring for recurrence, managing late effects of treatment, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, and addressing psychosocial concerns.
Concept #
Survivorship care planning is based on the recognition that cancer survivors have unique needs that must be addressed to optimize their quality of life and overall well-being. The concept emphasizes the importance of providing survivors with personalized care plans that take into account their individual experiences, treatment histories, and ongoing health concerns.
Examples #
A survivorship care plan may include recommendations for regular follow-up appointments, screenings for secondary cancers, referrals to supportive care services such as counseling or rehabilitation, and guidance on healthy lifestyle practices such as exercise and nutrition. For example, a breast cancer survivor may receive a survivorship care plan that outlines the need for annual mammograms, bone density screenings, and ongoing monitoring for lymphedema.
Practical Applications #
Oncology nurses play a key role in survivorship care planning by collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop individualized care plans for cancer survivors. They assess survivors' physical and emotional needs, provide education and support, coordinate follow-up care, and advocate for survivors' access to resources and services. Oncology nurses also help survivors navigate the healthcare system, address treatment-related side effects, and empower them to take an active role in their own care.
Challenges #
One of the challenges of survivorship care planning is ensuring that survivors receive comprehensive, coordinated care that addresses all aspects of their physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being. This requires effective communication and collaboration among healthcare providers, survivors, and their families. Additionally, there may be barriers to accessing survivorship care services, such as lack of insurance coverage, limited availability of survivorship programs, and disparities in healthcare access and quality. Oncology nurses must advocate for policies and practices that promote survivorship care and support survivors in overcoming these challenges.