Prechemotherapy Education: Reducing Patient Anxiety Through Nurse-Led Teaching Sessions

Background: Patients with cancer experience stress surrounding diagnosis and treatment. Many cancer centers employ a nurse-led education session to alleviate patient anxiety and confusion.

Objectives: The goal was to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led chemotherapy teaching session on patients’ knowledge, anxiety, and preparedness for cancer-directed therapy.

Methods: After discussing treatment with their oncologist, participants completed a survey assessing their perceived understanding of various treatment topics. After, they underwent a teaching session with an oncology nurse. The survey was readministered when patients returned for their first and second treatment cycles.

Findings: Significant increases were observed in patients’ understanding of their treatment schedule, potential adverse effects, and antiemetic medication regimen by the first cycle of therapy and a reduction in treatment-related anxiety by the second cycle of therapy.