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In developing countries, where 80% to 85% of childhood cancer cases occur, the survival rate is often less than 10%. The mission of the International Outreach Program (IOP) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to improve the survival rate of children with cancer. Essential to this mission is the provision of quality nursing care. In May 2006, the quality of nursing care at an IOP Central American partner-site was assessed using nursing standards endorsed by the Joint Commission International (JCI). The assessment provided objective and credible findings and a baseline from which nursing needs and recommendations were determined. After careful review of data, the IOP staff provided recommendations in the areas of education, staffing, compensation, and communication.
Pediatric oncology in developed countries, such as the United States, has achieved remarkable success over the past 25 years. In the U.S., the 5-year survival rate among children improved from 58% for patients diagnosed from 1975 to 1977 to 79% for those diagnosed from 1996 to 2001 (Jemal et al., 2003). However, in developing countries, where 80% to 85% of all childhood cancer cases occur, the survival rate is often less than 10%. The International Outreach Program (IOP) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, established in 1993, strives to improve the worldwide survival rate of children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses by transferring knowledge and technology to partnersites established in developing countries. The provision of quality nursing care is essential to improving survival rates for these children.
The IOP Nursing Program was developed using strategic planning guidelines to promote a structured approach to meeting international nursing needs (Finkler & Kovner, 2000). The program's mission is to provide the highest quality of nursing care to patients and families at IOP partner-sites. Four broad goals were designed to create a synergy that supports the mission and include 1) developing a process for assessing and improving the quality of nursing care, 2) providing comprehensive pediatric oncology education and training to nursing staff by hiring partner-site nurse educators and creating regional training centers, 3) developing strong partnerships with nursing leaders and educators affiliated with international nursing, and 4) contributing to the international nursing body of knowledge though research. The nursing program's conceptual model is depicted in Figure 1. This...