SMART Oncology Nursing: Literacy, Goals, Coaching, and Empowerment

Abstract

Problem statement: This study assesses the effect of a nurse-designed SMART educational intervention on goal attainment, patient empowerment, and satisfaction.

Design: A mixed-methods study design was used.

Data sources: 68 adults with cancer were recruited from an oncology research center and randomized to the immediate or waitlist control group. Empowerment was measured using the Patient Empowerment Scale, and health literacy was measured using the Cancer Health Literacy Test.

Analysis: Measures were completed by the immediate group at enrollment and by the waitlist control group after an eight-week waiting period to establish an updated baseline. Participants received four learning modules on goal setting and coaching to facilitate learning and activation of knowledge. Visit data were collected by nurses based on participants' written and oral responses.

Findings: Goal attainment ranged from 67% to 100%. Patient empowerment scores were high at baseline and throughout. No significant differences were noted among the groups on goal attainment, empowerment, or satisfaction.

Implications for nursing: RNs can deliver a SMART educational intervention using a universal health literacy approach to support adults with cancer in creating symptom management strategies and attaining self-care goals.

Keywords: education; empowerment; goal attainment; health literacy; self-management.