Work in Progress: Completing Evidence Synthesis Review and developing a research plan proposal

Reviewing the Literature

Over the past several months, the EduCanNURS team has conducted a mapping review to examine the extent of cancer care education in undergraduate nursing programmes. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of how cancer care has been taught globally within undergraduate nursing curricula over the last decade.

We extensively searched multiple databases and cancer organization websites, including primary studies, evidence synthesis reviews, conference proceedings, and dissertations as sources within the review. This broad search strategy and inclusive research design criteria yielded 4,493 sources. After a thorough eligibility screening by three researchers, 126 studies were included in the final review.

The review findings highlight international efforts to integrate cancer care education into undergraduate nursing programmes, preparing generalist nurses with the essential skills and knowledge to care for cancer patients. It underscores the importance of publishing educational projects to guide best practices. Key findings include the types of cancer typically taught and the teaching and assessment strategies employed. These insights will inform the content, teaching strategies, and assessment approaches for the EduCanNURS project module. The full review is currently being considered for publication.

Project progress

We have submitted the project proposal for ethical approval from the University of Galway. This is a crucial step before piloting the cancer care continuum module and conducting the educational research project in the second semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Project communications

In February 2025, we presented the project plan at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) 44th Annual International Nursing & Midwifery Research and Education Conference.

Writers:

Orlaith Hernon, lecturer and assistant professor at the University of Galway
Maura Dowling, associate professor at the University of Galway