Findings and insights related to telehealth, rural care and climate change were just some of the key topics that made an impact on Fred Hutch Cancer Center oncology nurses attending the 2024 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress.
ONS, a professional association of 35,000 members, held its 2024 event last month in Washington, D.C., and drew more than 3,600 attendees to network, listen and learn from thought-provoking oncology nursing experts.
Fred Hutch nurses also presented their best practices. At Fred Hutch, many nurses deliver both clinical care as well as participate in research, clinical trials and evidence-based practice implementation, across various specialties and across multiple locations.
See listing of Fred Hutch nurses who presented at the ONS 49th Annual Congress.
Several themes emerged at ONS. Read on to learn what Fred Hutch nurses had to say.
The importance of telehealth in rural communities
How telehealth is being leveraged in rural communities was one theme that came to the forefront.
Christa McMurray, RN, BSN, said she was impressed to learn how one organization is overcoming obstacles and using innovation to improve care access in rural areas. “They are utilizing telehealth visits, coordinating delivery of chemo drugs, even using drones, and clustering any in-person care so the patients [do not] have to make as many trips into the urban centers.”
Isela Sphon, RN, BSN, pointed out one presentation that focused on a health system’s transition to a full telehealth oncology program to serve rural patients. “The key to their success was multifocal, but rested on strong relationships with smaller local centers outside of the large urban cancer centers.”
The impact of climate change on care access
Caitlin Mills, BSN, RN, said she felt the most valuable session was one that revealed how climate change can and is disrupting care delivery.
“I was motivated after listening to the panel discuss the impact of climate change on patient care,” said Mills. “They talked about so many different factors of how climate change is affecting not only the patient’s health but their accessibility to care.”
This topic resonated with other colleagues as well, including Amy Boswell, MSN, RN.
“I had not considered the link between climate change and social determinants of health, such as a major flood decreasing local vaccination rates and the subsequent impact on health/cancer prevention. I also appreciated the suggestions to mitigate the negative impact health care is having on climate change, such as sustainable procurement,” said Boswell.
Advocacy on Capitol Hill
Several Fred Hutch nurses pointed out that being in the nation’s capitol was a particularly powerful part of the experience and helped bring nurse and patient policy advocacy to the forefront.
Greg Cunningham, MSN, RN agreed: “Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill was an amazing experience; trekking between congressional offices and speaking with representatives of our elected officials was incredibly empowering. I truly believe that we made an impact and will help move the needle toward advancing policies that will help our patients.”
Arlyce Coumar, MN, RN, attended a session that revealed insights into ways nurses can help drive advocacy at the local level. “The message I took away is that it is possible to host a local advocacy day across an entire state and nurses can even be engaged at the early stages of crafting policy statements.”
Additional insights from ONS
- Brain cancer survival: Associate Chief Nursing Officer Suni Elgar, MPH, BSN, said the opening session’s keynote speaker had a message that resonated and helped set the tone for the entire conference. “Kelsey Tainsh is a two-time survivor of brain cancer and [listening to her] was the most uplifting way to start off ONS Congress 2024. Her authentic story was the absolute perfect mix of humor, gratitude and inspiration. I came away from this presentation reinvigorated and ready to hop back into work with a new mindset.”
- Nurse empathy distress: Jingwen Zhang, RN, BSN, gained new insights from a presentation focusing on nurse empathy distress. “As professional caregivers, we forget sometimes to take time for ourselves and that it’s okay to work on our wellbeing so we can provide better care for patients,” said Zhang.
- Recruitment and retention: Dana Malick, MN, RN, said the session, "Recruitment and Retention: Where We Are and Where We Are Going" particularly resonated. “With all the new nurse technicians and recent graduate RNs we're onboarding, it reinforced the importance of what we do. I'm even more inspired to find new ways to support each new hire, fostering a positive work environment and helping them succeed.”
- Radiation for oncologic emergencies: Tiffany Curtis, BSN, RN, attended a presentation on radiation for oncologic emergencies. “As an ACE Clinic and STAT RN, I am no stranger to helping manage oncologic emergencies and it was very interesting to receive information on the use of radiation for oncologic emergencies versus fluids, medications and sometimes transfusions. I learned about different types of radiation used, including whole brain radiation, stereotactic radiation and external beam radiation. I gained a better understanding of the differences and options for dosing of radiation and nursing considerations for these patients and also that the effects of radiation can be noted often within hours but sometimes take days and that radiation is often used in combination with steroids and surgery.”
