AUSTRALIAN PROSTATE CANCER SPECIALIST NURSES - A New Model For Practice

1. No. A02 AUSTRALIAN PROSTATE CANCER SPECIALIST NURSES - A New Model For Practice Julie Sykes National Manager – Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Program, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia • A Best Practice Model • The Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing team works from a Framework for Practice based on best practice models within the following domains of care: • Provision and Coordination of Care • The Nurse is a key worker skilled in the delivery of expert prostate cancer nursing care. The position has scope to develop skills and service provision in accordance to localised need within the Framework. • Collaborative and Therapeutic Practice • The Nurse is an effective communicator within the context of a multidisciplinary team. The nurse is an advocate for the patient and ensures patient care plans are delivered in a seamless manner. • Professional Practice • The Nurse follows professional guidance to provide ethical care to those affected by prostate cancer and ensures local governance structures are followed. The Nurse actively participates in personal professional development and performance monitoring. • Critical Thinking and Analysis • The Nurse demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning, participates in quality improvement and research and acts as an educator to peers on prostate cancer care. • The position purpose is predominantly providing clinical care to men and those affected by prostate cancer. The position is appointed as a Specialist Nursing role recognising the need for designated expertise in this area of care. As such, the position has strategic functions and expectations, in addition to the clinical role. Introduction A prostate cancer diagnosis causes both clinical and psychosocial morbidity. Specialist Nurses are well recognised and integrated into service delivery in other domains of care. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has now taken the leadership in this area of unmet need and plans to pilot 13 Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses in all States and Territories commencing in May 2012 in both public and private hospitals. • Program Development • This is the first program of its kind it Australia • Key stakeholder consultation was national in the development of this model at a clinical and strategic level • The program is based on recognised best practice models • Host hospitals were recruited from an Expression of Interest and rigorous site selection process • Program Key Performance Indicators have been developed and provide a benchmark for evaluation • Pilot is to provide proof of concept for sustainable service • Program Structure • Nurses are been employed directly in the host hospitals using 3 year funding provided through PCFA. • Nurses are based in both metropolitan and regional hospitals across Australia. • The Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses are registered nurses with an advanced prostate cancer knowledge • Nurses are working within a structured framework with a defined position description and defined Competency Standards for the Specialist Prostate Cancer Nurse. • Nurses are working across the continuum of care within a multidisciplinary function. • Nurses will have both clinical and strategic functions to provide care applicable to local needs, within the context of the structured Framework for Practice. • Ongoing professional development support is being provided at induction and throughout the program through PCFA, following a Framework for Professional Development. • PCFA professional development support includes – formal induction training, resource folders, monthly team teleconferencing, journal club, mentorship, professional development grant and internship opportunities, service development project support. • Broad functions of the Nurse • Being a central point of contact, referral and support • Assisting men with access – during and after treatment • Aiding decision making – provision of reliable information • Addressing psychosocial needs • Addressing the effects of treatment • Coordinating care and making onward referrals • Structured contact but avoiding case management • Assisting men access support groups and services • Provision of education to health professionals • Participating in projects to help improve services Program Evaluation 2 year formal evaluation project involving consumers and health providers has commenced. A collaborative research project between QUT ihbi and PCFA. Evaluation will measure programs KPI’s to establish impact of the service on the health system, as well as evaluate the model as a means of delivering specialist cancer care. • References • The National Cancer Nursing Education Project (EdCaN) (2008). National Education Framework – Cancer Nursing: A national professional development framework for cancer nursing. Canberra, Cancer Australia. • Australian Nurses and Midwifery Council (2005). National competency standards for registered nurses in Australia. Acknowledgements The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia proudly acknowledges The Movember Foundation as major sponsors of the nursing program Further program enquiries to nursing@pcfa.org.au Poster presentation sponsor