Key takeaways
- The development of oncology in Algeria requires not only the strengthening of diagnostic and therapeutic resources but also improvements in the organization and coordination of care.
- In this context, the oncology nurse should be recognized as a fully-fledged clinical professional and as an essential component of the cancer care coordination process.
- The development of oncology nurse coordinator and nurse navigator roles, together with greater integration of nurses into multidisciplinary decision-making processes, could represent important avenues for improving the continuity and quality of cancer care in Algeria.
- The future of oncology is not only about treating the disease; it is also about ensuring that no patient has to navigate the cancer journey alone.
Cancer care is undergoing significant development in Algeria. The increasing number of patients, the diversification of treatment modalities, and the emergence of new therapeutic approaches are making cancer care pathways increasingly complex.
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, radiotherapy, and surgery now require close collaboration among multiple healthcare professionals. Modern oncology can therefore no longer rely on the isolated intervention of a single specialist.
Within this multidisciplinary organization, the oncology nurse occupies a central position because of their continuous proximity to the patient before, during, and after treatment.
Their role extends far beyond the simple administration of medications. Oncology nurses contribute to clinical assessment, patient monitoring, prevention of complications, patient education, treatment safety, and coordination among the various healthcare professionals involved in care.
A Nursing Role That Goes Beyond Treatment Administration
The administration of chemotherapy and other systemic treatments represents an important part of oncology nursing practice. However, reducing the nurse’s role to this function alone does not reflect the reality of modern oncology care.
During systemic treatment, the nurse is often one of the healthcare professionals who observes the patient most closely. This proximity enables the nurse to identify early clinical changes and rapidly communicate relevant information to the medical team.
Oncology nursing should therefore be regarded as an essential clinical component of cancer treatment rather than merely a technical function.
The Nurse as a Key Actor in Patient Safety
The increasing complexity of cancer treatments makes patient safety particularly important.
Correct patient identification, verification of the treatment protocol, doses, biological and clinical parameters, monitoring during and after treatment administration, and early detection of adverse effects are essential components of oncology nursing practice.
The nurse also plays an important role in preventing and detecting complications such as hypersensitivity reactions, extravasation, acute toxicities, and other adverse events associated with cancer treatments.
This position at the patient’s bedside makes the oncology nurse a key contributor to the quality and safety of cancer care.
Coordination: An Essential Dimension of Oncology Nursing
The cancer care pathway often involves multiple disciplines and several stages of care.
A single patient may require, either sequentially or simultaneously, an oncology consultation, surgery, radiotherapy, imaging examinations, laboratory tests, systemic treatments, and psychological or nutritional support.
Without effective coordination, the risk of delays, unnecessary repetition of examinations, loss of information, or disruptions in the patient’s care pathway increases.
The nurse can therefore act as a pivotal professional between the patient and the various healthcare providers.
This coordination may include:
- communicating clinical information;
- organizing appointments;
- facilitating communication between different departments;
- identifying difficulties encountered by the patient;
- referring the patient to the appropriate healthcare professionals.
Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards
Multidisciplinary tumor boards are an essential component of modern cancer care.
They enable specialists from different disciplines to share their expertise and determine the most appropriate therapeutic strategy for each patient.
Where organizational structures allow, greater participation of oncology nurses in this multidisciplinary process could also be beneficial.
Indeed, nurses possess valuable information derived from their regular contact with patients, including treatment tolerance, general health status, social or family difficulties, understanding of the treatment plan, adherence to care, and problems encountered throughout the care pathway.
Such information can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient and support more patient-centered decision-making.
Towards the Development of Oncology Nurse Coordinators and Nurse Navigators
The increasing complexity of cancer care pathways also raises the possibility of developing dedicated roles such as oncology nurse coordinators or nurse navigators.
These professionals could help facilitate the patient’s journey from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, particularly by providing guidance, coordinating appointments, facilitating communication between healthcare teams, and educating patients.
Such a role could be particularly relevant in cancer centers managing large numbers of patients or offering multiple treatment modalities.
It would not replace other healthcare professionals. Rather, it would strengthen the coherence and continuity of their respective interventions.
