Nursing Research and Education
Nationally renowned for its collaborative, multidisciplinary scientific studies of oncology care, the Division of Nursing Research and Education organizes its research around three major themes: quality of life, symptom management, and communication. Studies at this division range from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship and end-of-life care, and each investigation provides valuable insights concerning cancer control and population science.
Each year, the Division of Nursing Research and Education holds several professional conferences and has greatly improved the level of care delivered to patients throughout the United States. Please visit the Educational Conferences web page for information about invaluable events and to view a listing of current educational opportunities.
Research Objectives
- To conduct collaborative research studies concerning quality of life, symptom management, and communication across City of Hope’s targeted areas: prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, breast, and lung cancers; leukemia, lymphoma, and other hematologic disorders
- To explore strategies for more effective communication between patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals
- To expand research participation and evidence-based practice activities toward the achievement of Magnet Status criteria
- To disseminate findings of research studies—including information available on palliative/end-of-life care, survivorship, and communication—to those at City of Hope and throughout the United States.
Programs for Health Professionals
City of Hope’s Division of Nursing Research and Education conducts interdisciplinary research organized around quality of life, symptom management of oncology and palliative care patients, and clear communication. The division also offers multiple courses, throughout the year, to health professionals from across the country.
Visit our Educational Conferences page for current course offerings.
Current Research
Goal 1: Palliative Care
Test interventions to improve quality of life and symptom management for cancer patients from diagnosis, throughout treatment, survivorship and end of life.
Ongoing studies include:
- Support for family caregivers
- Palliative care for patients in Phase 1 clinical trials
- Dissemination of a palliative care intervention for lung cancer in community hospitals
- Support for patients having surgery and their families
- Fear of cancer recurrence
Goal 2: Communication
Develop and test interventions to support communication between patients, family caregivers and healthcare professionals.
- Communication skills training for oncology nurses and other healthcare professionals
- Interprofessional palliative care team communication training
Goal 3: Survivorship Care
Develop and disseminate curricula on survivorship for health professions involved in cancer patient care.
Ongoing studies include:
- Educating oncology nurses in survivorship care
- Testing interventions for cancer survivors
- Supporting long-term survivors
City of Hope's Breakthroughs blog has featured articles on the study of palliative care for lung cancer patients, our previous caregiver study and most recently an Institute of Medicine Report and video about delivering high quality cancer care for patients and their families.
Contact Nursing Research and Education