BSH24-PO22 The benefit of nurse led group end of treatment summary sessions for patients

Published Date: 25th April 2024

Publication Authors: Goffinet. N

Abstract
People with a haematological cancer often wish they felt better prepared for life after treatment ends. It can bring a mix of emotions as adjusting to life after treatment can be challenging. Discussing the end of treatment summary plan with a person who has had treatment supports self-management and awareness of signs and symptoms of disease recurrence. This approach can also alert people to the late effects of their treatment. It can highlight psychological and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety, which can also occur after treatment. End of treatment summaries are part of Personalised Care and Support Planning, which supports the NHS Long-Term Plan for Cancer, ensuring that every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care.

Starting in January 2023 the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team devised and delivered a group face-to-face session that focused on a holistic approach including a copy of their End of Treatment Summary (EOTS). The session includes a face-to-face presentation that covers:

• Why do we have an End of Treatment Summary?
• Late Effects of Treatments.
• Recurrence of disease.
• Common Challenges (physical and mental).
• Self-help.
• Accessing help.
• When and who to contact.

The CNS's initially thought that the sessions would be poorly attended, as historically invites to group sessions held on Teams during the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be unpopular. However, when the CNS's evaluated the sessions in July 2023 and December 2023, the data demonstrated that the Haematology Team went from zero EOTS's in 2022 to 73% of patients that have completed a course of chemotherapy, accepting, and attending a face-to-face EOTS session. On completion of the session, 100% of patients understood signs of recurrence and 100% understood services available to them.

In conclusion the sessions proved popular and informative for patients as 100% of patients stated they would recommend the session to other patients. In addition, as the sessions were a group, this saved the CNS time and individual clinic slots by enabling more patients to be seen in fewer sessions. Furthermore, this model promotes self-management and empowerment for patients.

Goffinet, N. (2024). BSH24-PO22 The benefit of nurse led group end of treatment summary sessions for patients. British Journal of Haematology. 204(Suppl 1), pp.43-44. [Online]. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.19398 [Accessed 8 January 2026]