Nutrition is important during and after treatment, recovery, stabilization and physical well-being in cancer. As a nurse, how do you ensure that you pay sufficient attention to this? The e-learning Nutrition in Cancer helps nurses to answer questions from oncology patients and their relatives. The e-learning also provides guidance on how they can identify whether and when nutritional support is needed.
Reliable information in a secure environment
As an experience expert, Anja Veens paid particular attention to whether it concerns practical information for patients when developing the learning path. “During and after my treatment I had all kinds of questions and uncertainties about my weight. The nurse was not open to this, while it was an important subject for me. In the end, the GP referred me to a dietician.” Nutrition is also about the psyche. That is why it is important that a nurse picks up on signals and that the patient dares to talk about them. Veens: “Sometimes you’re just looking for confirmation or reassurance. A good conversation is then enough. Nutrition must be included in the treatment. So that you as a patient do not get lost on the internet, but that you receive reliable information in a safe environment. That is very important, especially in a period when you are already so insecure.”
Concrete handles for the nurse
“The learning path makes nurses aware that nutrition plays an important supporting role during and after treatment,” says Sandra Beijer, senior researcher and expert in nutrition at IKNL. “They learn what to look out for, what signs are that their nutritional status is deteriorating, what they can advise themselves and when to refer to a dietician. “The nurse’s role in this is extremely important, Beijer knows. After all, the nurse is the one who sees the patient the most. During your stay in hospital, but also during aftercare. “The aim is for the nurse to check at every check whether there are any points that require attention in the field of nutrition and lifestyle. A nurse has to discuss many topics in the sometimes limited time, but it is important that he or she can pick up on signals and knows what to look for.”
Content e-learning
The e-learning covers the following topics:
- Importance of a healthy diet as part of a healthy lifestyle in cancer.
- Importance of a healthy lifestyle in cancer.
- Signaling (the risk of developing) nutritional problems.
- Talk to the patient.
- Referring to specialized additional (professional) psychosocial care (if necessary).
More information
The Nutrition in Cancer e-learning is free for members of V&VN Oncology. Non-members pay €30.
The Nutrition in Cancer e-learning is part of a series of e-learning modules on psychosocial care for people with cancer. Noordhoff is developing this in collaboration with Nurses & Caregivers Netherlands Oncology (V&VN Oncology) and IKNL, on behalf of the Taskforce Cancer Survivorship Care. The e-learning is in line with the National Cancer & Life Action Plan of the Taskforce Cancer Survivorship Care, in which one of the goals is that care providers and people with cancer have more knowledge and expertise about (late) consequences.
Other e-learnings and masterclasses for nurses: