Opening doors to treatment. Exploring the impact of lung cancer specialist nurses on access to anti-cancer treatment: an exploratory case study

This exploratory study examined how different Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists (LCNS) worked within their Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDT) to have a positive impact on patient access to anti-cancer treatment. The study used a mix of qualitative methods including individual and group interviews, observation and documentary analysis. The project was developed in response to the finding from the National Lung Cancer Audit (2010) that 64% of patients who saw a LCNS received anti-cancer treatment, compared to 30% of patients who did not see a LCNS. This project aims to generate insight to understand what it is the LCNS does that increases patient access to treatment. The aim of this study was to conduct an initial exploration to generate understanding of the role of the LCNS within the lung cancer multi-disciplinary team and identify factors that assist the LCNS in increasing treatment access for people with lung cancer and to generate recommendations for LCNS practice, MDT working and for future research.