Unit 8 - Psychosocial Health and Well-being.

This training is presented in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Nurse in Oncology (CANO) and is part of CANO’s manual Adult cancer survivorship: A self-Learning resource for nurses - 2020.

Distress is considered the 6th vital sign that requires accurate assessment. Oncology nurses are in a unique position to facilitate how cancer patients cope with issues or concerns regarding their psychosocial distress and well-being during the survivorship experience by understanding. While vulnerability to distress following cancer has been consistently shown to predict poorer adjustment, over time, most individuals learn to balance “living with a new normal” in the face of future uncertainty. In this presentation, Dr. Doris Howell, RN PhD FAAN, will help you in facilitating a systematic assessment of distress, anxiety and depression and patient self-care strategies.

Learning objectives:
Comprehensive health assessment relevant competencies:
• Conduct a comprehensive psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural assessment that includes the individual/family’s response to cancer, main concerns, feelings, fears, goals, and understanding of prognosis;
• Screen for psychosocial and spiritual distress using validated tools;
• Explore and document the impact and meaning of illness on the individual/family and their support systems (accounting for present life circumstances and view of quality of life);
• Assess and respect individual/family religious and spiritual practices/resources;
• Assess and respect cultural influences;
• Assess individual/family financial, social, and practice concerns that may impact cancer experience;
• Assess individual/family’s mental health needs including therapies and outcomes (if relevant).

Supportive and therapeutic relationships relevant competencies:
• Apply supportive care strategies and best practice/evidence-based psychosocial care interventions within the scope of practice to facilitate effective coping;
• Identify individuals/families that require supportive, psychosocial and spiritual care and refer them in a timely manner.