A recent study demonstrated an existing “lack of knowledge and practice regarding cardio-oncology and cardiotoxicity among oncology nurses” in Türkiye, highlighting the need for optimized care models to address the cardiology needs of patients with cancer after treatment.
A team of researchers from Türkiye conducted the study and published their findings in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing. Their “main objectives were to describe oncology nurses’ knowledge-based awareness, assessment practices, and the current use of cardio-oncology practices in clinical settings, and to identify educational needs.”
The descriptive study, which was performed between April 2025 and October 2025, recruited 152 oncology nurses for inclusion. The investigators used the Cardio-Oncology Awareness Questionnaire for Nurses to collect data from the nurses, “which was developed by the authors for this study.”
The findings revealed various gaps in cardio-oncology education and knowledge and showed that only 23 participants (15%) “had received education on cardio-oncology and cancer-related cardiotoxicity and the majority reported acquiring their knowledge primarily from colleagues (63%).”
Furthermore, the participating nurses reported “limited confidence in recognizing cancer-related cardiotoxicity” (n=65, 43%), while the majority (n=147, 97%) indicated a need for further education on cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity.
Based on the results, the investigators identified several educational topics crucial to the field of oncology nursing, including cardiovascular risk factors, basic electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation and arrhythmias, cardioprotective agents, and cardiovascular risk assessment during cancer survivorship.”
In reflecting on the results of the study, the researchers emphasized the importance of developing “an appropriate and validated education curriculum” focused on addressing nurses’ cardio-oncology educational needs. They explained that “the curriculum can be integrated into the undergraduate nursing program, for nurses working in the field, in-service education programs, [and] courses and certificate programs can be implemented.”
“The findings revealed a lack of knowledge and practice regarding cardio-oncology and cardiotoxicity among oncology nurses, with most having not received formal education,” the investigators concluded. “With cardio-oncology emerging as an important sub-specialty, there clearly is a need for structured cardio-oncology education in Türkiye.”