Foundations of Practice

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2018 Dec 1;22(6):587-588. doi: 10.1188/18.CJON.587-588.

Abstract

A highly disproportionate burden of cancer is manifested in the world's poorest societies. Since 2016, I have volunteered with the Washington, DC-based organization Health Volunteers Overseas and have provided oncology and palliative nursing education and consultation in Vietnam, Honduras, and Bhutan. In addition, I have volunteered with Living Room International in Kenya, focusing on hospice nursing resource enhancement. I have traveled more than 50,000 miles to those four resource-impoverished nations and witnessed hardships beyond description.

Keywords: access to care; international; low-resource countries; nursing basics; nursing education.

MeSH terms

  • Bhutan
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Honduras
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing / education*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medically Underserved Area*
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / nursing*
  • Oncology Nursing / education*
  • Poverty*
  • Vietnam
  • Volunteers / education*