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. 2024 Oct;40(5):151723.
doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2024.151723. Epub 2024 Aug 30.

"Pioneers, yes. We all should think that way" Improving Papua New Guinea Cancer Nurses Education through an International Partnership

Catherine Paterson  1 , Merilyn Nicholas  2 , Peter Fore  2 , Delosi Eawetau  2 , Hazel Agudiyosi  2 , Esther Paul Pakau  2 , Standa Norbert  2 , Sheryl Wala  2 , Jasmine Bujalski  3 , Peter Olali  2 , Meredith Leonard  4 , Delilah Shelley  4 , Cathy Young  3 , Jodi Rawlinson  3 , Desmond Yip  5 , Melissa O'Brien  3 , Wendy Spencer  6 , Pauline Rose  7
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Free article

"Pioneers, yes. We all should think that way" Improving Papua New Guinea Cancer Nurses Education through an International Partnership

Catherine Paterson et al. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2024 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: First, to understand Papua New Guinea (PNG) oncology nursing issues perceived through the nurses' lens of unmet supportive care needs of people affected by cancer and to identify nurses' self-perceived educational priorities in cancer care. Second, to evaluate the tailored bidirectional learning and knowledge transfer among the participants of the Australia Capital Territory Health and PNG Oncology Nursing Development Program hosted in Australia in June 2023.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Two focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Based on PNG oncology nurses' experiences and self-assessed educational needs, the findings were analyzed and presented separately for Time 1 before the PNG Oncology Nursing Development program and Time 2 following the completion of the program.

Results: The findings from the Time 1 focus group identified four themes: (1) educational priorities, (2) system-wide challenges, (3) patient unmet care needs, and (4) cultural beliefs. After the completion of the educational program, there were four emergent themes: (1) new educational experiences, (2) learnings into practice, (3) culturally sensitive nursing, and (4) leadership (PNG nursing trailblazers). This study, for the first time, provided the PNG RNs with a "voice," to empower them to take more leading roles in important decision-making regarding care structures and management.

Conclusion: Policymakers, government officials, and international cancer organizations must continue to work together to support cancer control in PNG in light of the current and projected limited resources and barriers to timely cancer diagnosis and treatment in PNG.

Implications for nursing practice: Through observing and learning from a modern cancer department, PNG oncology nurses have gained insight into what is needed for a safe cancer service for both patients and nurses. Oncology nursing education in PNG needs to be further developed, enhanced, and supported for sustainability of cancer nurses in the long term.

Keywords: Education; International; Low middle income; Nurses; Oncology; Partnership; Qualitative.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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