Symptom management—models from nursing science for theoretical and practical use

Abstract

Background: The management of symptoms related to illness and therapy is a core task of oncology nursing. In addition to counseling and offering interventions, oncology nurses coordinate the multidisciplinary team. Furthermore, it is important that chronically ill cancer patients learn to manage their symptoms themselves. Aim: What factors need to be considered when developing tailored symptom management interventions? Methods: The question is addressed based on the literature and on practical experience. Results: The model by Dodd et al. represents the basic understanding of symptom management in nursing. Based on patient’s symptom experience, individual symptom management interventions can be developed. The guiding questions are the following: What? When? Where? Why? How much? For whom? How? The evaluation takes place by examining the functional or emotional status, the ability of a person to provide self-care, costs, quality of life, as well as morbidity and mortality. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary collaboration is required for successful symptom management interventions. After symptoms that lead to an intense symptom experience are identified and understood, interventions can be developed and evaluated.