Free, online community for oncology nurses

UBM Medica, a recognized leader in medical media and education, and UBM DeusM, the integrated services arm of UBM, today announced the launch of The Oncology Nurse Community (www.theONC.org), a free, online community exclusively for oncology nurses and the cancer care teams that support them. The ONC unites nurses in a secure environment where they can leverage their collective knowledge, nurture professional growth, and emotionally support each other. 

"Oncology nurses are a cornerstone in optimal cancer care," said UBM Medica US CEO Sally Shankland. "They are valued as a trusted source of information and compassion by their patients; however, their importance is sometimes overlooked, and their information and support needs are underserved. Through The ONC, nurses and other members of the cancer care team are now able to share ideas and exchange best-practices. The community exchanges inspire, empower, and advance knowledge, optimizing both quality of life and quality of care."

Moderated by oncology nurses and key opinion leaders, The ONC features discussions and commentary covering key issues affecting cancer care teams, such as symptom management, palliative care and pain management issues, psychosocial challenges and difficult communications, managing ethnic and cultural diversity, practical challenges including time management, staffing and insurance hurdles, error-prevention strategies, infectious complications, and understanding co-morbidities and the "whole patient" perspective. 

Other resources in the community include:

• A Library of resources including patient education materials and presentations by community members
• Clinic Close-Up, where members can view video-based interviews with experts from large group practices, private practices, and academia covering a variety of topics
• News items relevant to clinical practice
• An interactive Quiz feature where nurses can test their diagnostic knowledge on a regular basis
• A Calendar of national and regional events and meetings specific for oncology nurses and cancer support team members

"The ONC illustrates how the evolution of media and the power of both technology and community can be harnessed to improve medical outcomes," continued Shankland. "While access to scientific literature and practice guidelines is ubiquitous, it's collective knowledge, experiential data, and information in context that move the dial.  The ONC provides the forum that supports oncology nurses and optimizes treatment and symptom management."