Introduction Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy agent prescribed to treat cancers, replacing traditional intravenous treatment and shifting the responsibility for its administration from health professionals to patients.

Objectives Oncology registered nurses (RNs) were asked what they considered important when providing education and follow-up care for patients receiving capecitabine.

Methodology Ten RNs employed in oncology healthcare settings involved in the education and follow-up care of patients prescribed capecitabine were interviewed.

Results RNs viewed their role as being mainly educational, emphasising the importance of explaining potential side effects of capecitabine, the need for patients to self-report side effects, and steps to take if side effects are experienced. The timing for patient education and provisions for follow-up care were also considered.

Conclusion The increased prevalence of oral chemotherapy drugs, capecitabine specifically, means that nursing care of patients receiving this drug for cancer therapy must optimise opportunities for timely education and systematic follow-up care.

Current research shows that many oncology patients will use complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) despite the lack of strong evidence regarding their efficacy¹. The priority of the oncology clinician should be to facilitate patient-centred care and to ensure patient safety². Evidence-based, carefully considered integration of CAMs with conventional medicine may improve patient outcomes by decreasing the likelihood that patients will employ unsafe CAM practitioners without informing their clinician³.

Empowering patients to make decisions and be involved in their own care can improve health literacy⁴, patient satisfaction and physical health⁵. At the same time, the safe integration of CAMs with conventional treatment can lessen the risk of CAM/drug interactions, minimise financial stress, and lower the chance of patients refusing conventional treatment^3,6.

Background Subcutaneous engineered stabilisation devices (SESD) are promoted as a strategy to reduce peripherally inserted central catheter (PICCs) migration and associated complications.

Method During a 4-month product evaluation period, a total of 51 PICCs were stabilised using a SESD from two clinical groups. These patients were evaluated weekly using multi-criteria, the Macklin and Blackburn framework.

Results Zero PICC migrations and two dislodgements – of the 51 insertions – were observed during the evaluation period. Ease of use and the ability to effectively clean the PICC exit site and safely remove the PICC site dressing were reported as additional benefits.

Conclusion The SESD used in this product evaluation proved a successful measure to reduce PICC migration. It was embedded into PICC care bundles for all adult patients in our service.

Introduction Research suggests that clinical supervision (CS) has multiple benefits for supervisees’ professional and personal lives. However, it remains a novel approach in nursing practice.

Aim This study aims to explore specialist and advanced cancer nurses’ engagement with CS.

Method A mixed methods design was employed including a cross-sectional survey and qualitative interviews.

Results Of the 80 survey and 25 interview participants, 25% and 20% respectively were engaged in CS. Participants engaged in CS reported more personal accomplishment, less depersonalisation, and higher job satisfaction. Most were satisfied with their CS arrangement.

Practice implications CS may be an effective way for employers to support nurses employed in specialist and advanced practice cancer roles.

Conclusion A low proportion of advanced practice cancer nurses were engaged in CS. Further interventional research engaging larger numbers of nurses in CS is recommended to identify the most effective forms of CS and constraints to workplace implementation.

Oral cancer is a debilitating disease. Regional and rural patients may have to traverse a myriad of health services to receive their diagnosis and treatment. Services may be provided by the general practitioner, dentist, surgeon, radiation oncologist or oncologist across the public and private sectors. One such region in South West Victoria has its main cancer health service situated in Geelong which can be quite a distance from the rural and remote areas of the region.

Our study, with the assistance of the Evaluation of Cancer Outcomes Barwon South West (ECOBSW) Registry, retrospectively reports statistics to provide an overview of treatment interventions and outcomes. All newly diagnosed oral cancer patients from 2009 to 2016 were included, with the goal of identifying any areas where improvement in services may be provided.