P15.14.B NURSE-LED SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR NEURO-ONCOLOGY PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with brain tumors and their family members are confronted with multiple challenges. In addition to the established therapeutic management, there is a need for the integration of supportive care in those patients. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of a nurse-led support program in neurooncology patients MATERIAL AND METHODS A specialist nurse-led support program for neurooncology patients was implemented in 2018. Prior to (2017) and after the implementation (2018-2021), we used an anonymous validated questionnaire to assess patients’ satisfaction level regarding following items: general satisfaction, consideration of personal wishes, worries and fears, nursing care, nursing information, counseling and guidance and discharge planning RESULTS A total of 62 patients participated in the study. Before implantation of the specialist nurse-led support program, the majority of patients were already satisfied with the items general satisfaction; consideration of personal wishes, consideration of worries and fears; and nursing care in general; while less patients were satisfied with the remaining items. After implantation of the program, the proportion of patients who were satisfied with the first four items was slightly higher, but a marked improvement was found for information, counseling and guidance (p=0.003), and discharge planning (p=0.005). CONCLUSION A specialist nurse-led support program leads to significant improvement in patient care and help to cope with the multidimensional challenges in neurooncology