RESEARCH:
Dr. Crighton’s program of research in gero-oncology focuses on the experience of neutropenia, a common side effect of cancer treatment that leaves patients at risk for life threatening infection. Although neutropenia is widely acknowledged to have an impact on patients' lives, we know very little about that impact. Within the cancer world clinicians typically consider neutropenia as a number - an absolute neutrophil count. In contrast, Dr. Crighton’s studies approach neutropenia from the patient’s perspective, as an experience. Her initial research identified patient’s self monitoring of neutropenia related symptoms and their decision making and communication with providers about these symptoms as important aspects of the experience. She currently is exploring self monitoring, decision making, and communication more closely with support from the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation. Findings from this work will guide intervention development to improve care for neutropenia older cancer patients and their families.
Other scholarly interests include symptom experience, its measurement and meaning; immunosenescence and its impact on neutropenia in older adults; and what transpires at the intersections of clinical practice and the patient's experience. Dr. Crighton also is interested in qualitative and mixed methods research.
TEACHING:
Dr Crighton teaches a section of NUR 1085, Ethics in Nursing and Health Care. She also guest lectures to undergraduate and master's students, and to bedside and advance practice nurses in the community. Guest lecture topics include myelosuppression, neutropenia and febrile neutropenia management and comprehensive geriatric assessment. She is interested in study abroad opportunities for student nurses and has participated in a collaborative initiative with Dr. Sarah H. Kagan, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, teaching undergraduate and masters' students at the University of Hong Kong. .
SERVICE:
Dr. Crighton is an active member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the Gerontological Society of America and Sigma Theta Tau, for which she served as Vice president (2003-2005), Xi Chapter. She is a peer reviewer for several journals including Applied Nursing Research, Cancer, and Geriatric Nursing.
BACKGROUND:
| Education |
|
| Postdoctoral Studies |
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
John A Hartford Foundation
Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Fellow
Ger-Oncology |
| PhD |
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Gero - Oncology |
| MSN |
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program |
| BSN |
University of Pennsylvania
Nursing |
| |
|
| Professional Experience |
|
| 2001 – 2002 |
Staff Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit,
Hospital of
the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA |
| 2000 – 2001 |
Clinical Nurse, Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery
Clinic Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
PA |
| 1998 – 1999 |
Staff Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Memorial Sloan – Kettering
Cancer Center, New York, NY |
|
