Helga Martins, a CADOS DHI postdoctoral fellow, won the “EONS Best Rapid Fire Presentation Award 2024” during the 17th edition of the EONS17: European Oncology Nursing Society Conference. The winning work, entitled “Pain monitoring and assessment in oncology: a best practice implementation project”, stood out for its innovation and impact in the field of cancer care, reflecting the ongoing commitment to excellence and patient care. 

Read Helga Martins' words about this award.

“This project was developed based on an innovative methodology, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) model and the Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit. The JBI PACES and GRiP framework follows a seven-step approach to implementing evidence-based healthcare, with the main aim of assessing the compliance of pain monitoring and assessment practices in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, ensuring that these practices align with the best available scientific evidence. The impact on clinical practice has been very positive, with a significant evolution in the evidence audit criteria used in the field of pain in oncology. However, the most significant aspect of this project has undoubtedly been the positive impact on patients, who have always been and will continue to be the focus and priority of our care.

However, the most significant aspect of this project has undoubtedly been the positive impact on patients, who have always been and will continue to be the focus and priority of our care.

The main challenges of this project centered on mobilizing the entire team to implement the best scientific evidence available in the context of clinical practice. It was a long and demanding process, which involved not only the dedication of each team member, but also their ability to adapt and incorporate new evidence-based approaches. Implementing these changes in clinical practice required a collective commitment to improving the quality of the nursing care provided.

Receiving the award at EONS17 was recognition of the hard work of the entire team involved in this project. Furthermore, it was with great happiness and honor that we saw this award come to Portugal, valuing research and the quality of nursing care provided in the field of oncology. I must express my deep gratitude to Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, the Portuguese Oncology Nursing Association and the Algarve Local Health Unit (Faro Hospital) for their invaluable support and trust throughout this process. Without the collaboration and encouragement of these institutions, this project would not have achieved the success we are celebrating today.”