Article
Glioblastomatherapy withTTFields: Theroleofnurses in clinical routine
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Authors
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Mandy Kilias
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Berlin, Deutschland
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Cristina Pellet
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudos and University Lausanne, Departments of Neurology and Oncology, Lausanne, Schweiz
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Andreas Hottinger
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudos and University Lausanne, Departments of Neurology and Oncology, Lausanne, Schweiz
| Published: | June 18, 2018 |
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Outline
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Objective: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor in adults and the diagnosis is devastating to patients and their families. Treatment includes many modalities such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and tumor treating fields (TTFields). The latter is a new therapy that involves placing transducer arrays that emit alternating electric fields on the shaved scalp to interfere with tumor cell division. Personalizing best treatment decision to achieve optimal therapy efficacy requires profound and extensive patient education. In this context, it is of critical value to have oncology nurses as an integral part of the therapy algorithm.
Methods: To implement TTFields into GBM therapy we critically analyzed our current treatment pathway to find out where nurses can improve interactions with GBM patients. In addition, we performed a quality assessment of specific wording used to explain TTFields to the patients to guide them through TTFields therapy. Specific training of nurses to educate patients on how to integrate TTFields therapy into their daily work-life increases therapy acceptance and compliance.
Results: We successfully assessed how nurses can integrate patient education into the treatment pathway. Starting at diagnosis and further on during radiochemotherapy, we present all treatment options including TTFields repeatedly in a patient adapted way. This allows patients to make conscious treatment decisions that ensure acceptance and compliance. In addition the integration of nurses in the treatment team reduced the physicians' daily work load.
Conclusion: Specific TTFields training for nurses fundamentally shaped the understanding of the therapy and subsequently improved patient education, acceptance and compliance. This procedure reduces physician’s work load, increases motivation of nurses and improves therapy efficacy to deliver the best treatment to patients with GBM. We experienced benefits and therefore suggest implementing trained nurses into the GBM therapy algorithm.
