Educational targets for cancer practice including pediatric oncology for nurse practitioners

—comparison of Japanese physicians and nurses with nurse practitioners in the US—

Abstract

[Objective] To elucidate educational targets for cancer practice including pediatric oncology for nurse practitioners (NPs) by comparing Japanese physicians and nurses with NPs in the United States (US).

[Methods:] We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of educational targets for cancer practice in cooperation with oncology physicians and pharmacists.

[Results] Responses were obtained from Japanese physicians (n=230), Japanese nurses (n=246), and US NPs (n=166). The mean educational goals for NPs were high among Japanese nurses (81.3%) and US NPs (78.0%). However, Japanese physicians considered that knowledge of palliative care and adverse effects of anticancer drugs are important (>80%), whereas most other fields are not necessary (mean 57.2%). US NPs, despite their different fields, considered basic oncological knowledge to be a fundamental part of education for NPs.

[Conclusions] The nurses and NPs in both countries consider that comprehensive basic oncological knowledge is indispensable as an educational goal for NPs. Japanese physicians expect NPs to have more knowledge of palliative care and adverse effects of medication than comprehensive basic oncological knowledge.