Issues in Nursing Practice for Outpatients Receiving Oral Chemotherapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify issues in nursing practice for outpatients who receive oral chemotherapy. Subjects included 13 nurses who worked in the outpatient department. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Collected data were analyzed using qualitative inductive analysis. Issues in nursing practice for outpatients were identified as follows: "Many duties blocked nursing intervention"; "There were limited opportunities to meet with patients because of departmental decisions"; "An organized display was needed to show the specialties of outpatient nurses"; "There were difficulties in being consciously aware of the needs of patients receiving oral chemotherapy"; and "Patients demonstrated insufficient medication compliance and selfcare". The study suggested that organizational management is necessary to facilitate conscious transformation and understanding about the importance of specialty nursing care for outpatients who receive oral chemotherapy.