Emory School Of Nursing Faculty Paper Published By Journal Of Cancer Education

Press release from Emory University:

March 24, 2021

The Journal of Cancer Education recently published research authored by Emory School of Nursing associate professor, Jill B. Hamilton, BSN, MSN, PhD, RN, FAAN, titled, “Using spirituality to cope with Covid-19: The Experiences of African-American Breast Cancer Survivors.” This esteemed publication is given to MDs and PhDs working in the field who are improving current cancer education techniques and solving timely problems that exist in educating patients.

Serving as an ideal source of knowledge, the Journal of Cancer Education (JCE) is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal that addresses varied aspects of cancer education for physicians, dentists, nurses, students, social workers, and other allied health professionals. Articles featured in JCE include reports of original research and techniques. Centered on aspects of cancer education, topics include basic sciences of cancer, the evaluation of attitudes towards cancer patient care, and the teaching of diagnostic skills applicable to cancer.

As associate professor and senior faculty fellow of social determinants of health and health disparities, Dr. Hamilton develops culturally relevant measures of social support and spirituality. Her previous research publications cover topics such as culture, social support, religiosity, spirituality, and quality of life among African Americans with life-threatening illness. Prior to her tenure at Emory School of Nursing, Dr. Hamilton held faculty positions at Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after earning her degrees across the country.

Dr. Hamilton is published on topics related to psychological distress among African Americans of all ages. She has developed original research on the effects of storytelling that incorporates religious songs and scripture. The findings from this research are published in Cancer Nursing, Journal of Religion and Health, The Gerontologist, and Nursing Research.

Throughout this report, Dr. Hamilton’s findings serve as an exemplary source to educate allied health professionals of African American women who are survivors of breast cancer and are especially at high risk for contracting the COVID-19 virus. Her content analysis of the narratives from 18 African American breast cancer survivors describes four different responses to the stress encountered during the pandemic. Her paper captures the spiritually informed strategies used to manage encounters with stressors among this at-risk population. To read more information on Dr. Jill Hamilton’s publication, visit the Journal of Cancer Education. For more information on her work, visit her profile on our faculty and staff directory.

This press release was produced by Emory University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.