Reaching professional consensus on pivot nurse in oncology interventions in the goal of staff planning in Quebec

Abstract

Nearly 250 pivot nurse in oncology (PNO) are practising in Quebec to support cancer patients. Yet, it is increasingly obvious that this number is insufficient. A study was conducted to estimate the need for PNOs for the province. Professional consensus was reached using the nominal group technique and the Delphi method. The data obtained help to make staffing decisions based on findings measured in PNOs’ current work reality. It is the authors’ hope that these results will contribute to human resources planning that better meets the needs of cancer patients and their families.