ONS Connect - January 2008 - (Page 13)

Teresa Roblee, RN, OCN® (left), helped to organize the ONS Columbus Chapter’s community program on breast and cervical cancer prevention. using models who were breast cancer survivors and who represented diverse cultures, including Asian, African American, and Caucasian ethnicities. “We marketed our program through community liaisons, such as the local cancer hospital and churches, and radio sponsorship,” Roblee says. “Our chapter took the word-of-mouth route to spread the news regarding our event back to their places of employment to generate interest and facilitate attendance by patients and families. The afternoon tea event was a huge success, with over 60 people in attendance.” Scott had a similar experience as coordinator of her chapter’s program, How to Tell Your Patients About the Advances in Colorectal Cancer: An Update on Screen- ing, Treatment, and Cure. The program was offered to a known high-risk community in the chapter’s rural service area and targeted three key audiences: primary care providers, healthcare workers, and the adult community. Teaching modalities included grand rounds, an expert panel, methods to access resources, informational material regarding colon cancer screening provided by an American Cancer Society liaison, and involvement in the local hospital’s health fair. Scott’s chapter received marketing assistance from DHMC and also spread the word through radio and newspaper ads as well as personal invitations from chapter members. “We hoped that an outcome of this outreach would be an increase in the num- ber of screening colonoscopies, although it was impossible to accurately account for this due to coding challenges,” Scott says. “However, we had 45 people attend the formal educational programs and approximately 30 people visit our health booth during the fair. As a chapter, we created an awareness of colon cancer screening that was not present prior to our program.” Oncology nurses involved in outreach activities are making strides in educating the public while raising awareness about crucial cancer care issues. Although the impact on the community is apparent, the effects for the chapter also are profound. “These opportunities gave a face to the chapter and its members and JANUARY 2008 ONS CONNECT 13

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - January 2008

ONS Connect - January 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Up Front You Tell Us Up Close & Professional Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Caregiver Care Five Minute In-Service New Treatments, New Hope Calendar of Events ONS Election Working For You Staying On Top

ONS Connect - January 2008

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