Oncology Nursing Society Journal Podcasts

In this podcast, co-author Norma Krumwiede, EdD, RN, describes van Manen's phenomenological inquiry and analysis and explores these and similar questions as she discusses her September 2012 ONF article "The Lived Experience of Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer." The aim of this qualitative study was to explore men's experiences and perspectives of prostate cancer to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon and related coping mechanisms and needs. During the podcast, van Manen's four fundamental existentials will be highlighted and phenomenological analysis will be explained.

This month, lead author Wyona Freysteinson, PhD, MN, answers these questions and others during a podcast interview about her July 2012 ONF article “The Experience of Viewing Oneself in the Mirror After a Mastectomy.” From a phenomenological perspective, this study presents the unique experience from the viewpoint of a woman viewing herself in a mirror following a mastectomy. Findings suggest that each woman creates her own meaning and interpretation of self by explaining what she sees in a mirror. With a greater understanding of this phenomenon, oncology nurses can facilitate a positive experience and develop personalized discussions and interventions for women who have had a mastectomy.

During this month's podcast, lead author Mary Ellen Haisfield-Wolfe, PhD, RN, OCN, will answer these questions and discuss strategies to assist patients with head and neck cancer that were presented in her May 2012 ONF article Perspectives on Coping Among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiation" Previous research investigating head and neck cancer treatment found that patients' illness experiences include physical symptoms, side effects from treatment, symptom distress, and psychological distress. This qualitative study explores coping strategies and resources utilized by patients with laryngeal or oropharyngeal cancer over four time points during radiation with or without chemotherapy.

In this month's podcast, lead author Cheryl Rodgers, PhD, RN, CPNP, CPON, addresses these questions and presents implications for oncology nurses as she discusses her March 2012 ONF article "Children's Coping Strategies for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting." Previous research investigating the frequency and duration of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in pediatric patients with cancer has been limited. This descriptive study not only evaluates frequency, duration, and distress of CINV but also expands upon previous research. With a greater understanding of this chemotherapy symptom experience, effective management strategies can be developed for this patient population.

This month, lead author Kelly Brittain, PhD, RN, will explore these and similar questions as she discusses her January 2012 ONF article "Sociocultural Differences and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African American Men and Women." This study expands on previous research to investigate the relationship between cultural identity; family support and influence; colorectal cancer beliefs; and informed decision making among African Americans. In this podcast, factors that affect the decision-making process related to colorectal cancer screening are presented, highlighting differences and similarities among African American men and women.

The philosopher Martin Heidegger often used the metaphor of "coming to a clearing in the woods" as a way of coming in touch with an enlightened interpretation of the world (Conroy, 2003). Lead author Meghan L. Underhill, PhD, RN, AOCNS, brings us to the philosophical clearing in the woods in regard to breast surveillance with her November 2011 CJON article "Engaging in Medical Vigilance: Understanding the Personal Meaning of Breast Surveillance" (co-authored by Suzanne S. Dickerson, RN, DNS).

This month, lead author Polly Mazanec, PhD, ACNP, AOCN, answers these and similar questions as she discusses her May 2011 ONF article "Lack of Communication and Control: Experiences of Distance Caregivers of Parents With Advanced Cancer." This is the first study of its kind to describe the experience of distance caregiving, an emerging phenomenon in the United States. In this podcast, the benefits and burdens of distance caregiving are explored as well as ways to support adult children of parents with advanced cancer.

This month's podcast features an interview with Carla P. Hermann, PhD, RN, the lead author of the January 2011 ONF article "Determinants of Quality of Life in Patients Near the End of Life: A Longitudinal Perspective."

This month, ONF Associate Editor Ellen Giarelli, EdD, RN, interviews Lisa I. Iezzoni, MD, MSc, lead author of the November 2010 ONF article "Physical Access Barriers to Care for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Among Women With Mobility Impairments."

As children approach and move through adolescence, we catch glimpses of their delightful discovery of insight and imagination about their future. The diagnosis of cancer and the onset of symptoms associated with treatment must be unimaginably disruptive during this delicate time and emergence of identify.

ONF Associate Editor Ellen Giarelli, EdD, RN, interviews authors Carolee Polek, RN, PhD, AOCNS, and Thomas Hardie, EdD, PMHCNS-BC, about their May 2010 ONF article "Lesbian Women and HPV Knowledge."

How do parents make end-of-life decisions for their children? How can nurses help parents to accept the inevitable? Is end-of-life decision making in pediatric BMT the same as for children dying from cancer?

What do you do if your patient says "If I can’t feel it, it’s not there"? What situational and cultural factors are barriers to participating in clinical trials? What are women’s reasons for diagnostic delay?

What cultural beliefs are counterproductive to patient care? How do healthcare providers and family members opinions differ on care giving? Are there ways to optimize staffing models to improve culturally sensitivity of the healthcare culture?

What is the evidence for the positive effect of prayer? How can a nurse determine which patients would or could benefit from this intervention? How does centering prayer differ from transcendental meditation, progressive relaxation, or just "praying"?