Introduction
Nurses are critical in delivering coordinated, person-centred clinical and supportive gynaecological cancer care. Recognised challenges have informed recommendations to develop evidence-based gynaecological cancer nursing guidance.
Aims & Methods
This study aimed to inform development of national gynaecological cancer nursing guidance (GyN Care) by mapping existing guidance, exploring expectations, investigating implementation determinants and building consensus for nursing practice recommendations. An exploratory sequential mixed methods study was undertaken comprising a scoping review, and qualitative descriptive, cross-sectional survey and Delphi consensus studies.
Results
The scoping review identified 12 sources of international evidence providing clinical guidelines, practice recommendations or equivalent guidance on how nurses provide specialised care published since 2009. No individual source provided comprehensive nursing guidance across all gynaecological cancer types.
In focus groups, twenty nurses and seven women with lived experience shared goals for the resource as: 1) Foundational support for nurses; 2) Supporting care and educating nurses across the care continuum; 3) Design with functionality and practicality.
Development of GyN Care was supported by 90% (n = 65) of n=72 national survey participants, including nurses and service leaders. Two-thirds (66%, n = 48) reported at least weekly anticipated use. Strong agreement was observed across all implementation determinants. Qualitative findings highlighted three themes influencing implementation: “Integration into workflow,” “Confidence in content,” and “Practical support and endorsement.”
Consensus was reached on importance and clarity for 19 gynaecological cancer nursing practice recommendations to be integrated as fundamental content within GyN Care.
Conclusions
Addressing the need for comprehensive gynaecological cancer nursing guidance, the development of GyN Care is underway, with launch on the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia website planned for late 2026. Integration of study findings into GyN Care’s development will inform this evidence-based resource primed for national implementation to improve access to consistent, quality nursing care for Australians experiencing gynaecological cancers.