摘要:

This study focuses on the meaning of comfort from the perspective of immigrant Hispanic cancer patients undergoing treatment at a large Western medical center. Patients (n = 10), in 30 ethnographical interviews conducted in Spanish by a culturally sensitive interviewer identified characteristics, needs, and sources of comfort. The characteristics of comfort were: feeling integrated, functioning and normalcy, care and nurturing, security and safety, control and “comodo.” Comfort needs evolved into 6 categories: nurturing, familiar environment, safety, quality of life, normalcy, and “animo.” Providers of comfort, as perceived by these Hispanic patients were: self, family, health care providers, and God. The characteristcs of comfort most frequently talked about by the Hispanic participants were feeling integrated and nurtured. Integrated, a seemingly complex characteristic of comfort, reflected a sense of inner peace with oneself that went beyond the physical comfort. Function and normalcy were also perceived to be important aspects of comfort. It is important to note that the Hispanic patients on occasion used culturally relevant terms, such as comodo and animo (neither of which are readily translated into English) to convey their impressions of comfort. The study demonstrates that comfort is important in illness and cancer treatment situations, and that for these Hispanic patients it also had influence from their culture.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Head and neck cancer patients must adapt to changes in facial structure and dysfunctions associated with breathing, eating, sensing, and movement following treatment. The impact of social support, mode(s) of treatment, and disfigurement and dysfunction on rehabilitation outcomes was studied in a convenience sample of 51 cancer survivors. The Sickness Impact Profile, a 136-item self-report instrument that elicited data in 12 activity of daily living areas was used to measure the dependent variable, rehabilitation outcome. Perceived social support was measured with the Personal Resources Questionnaire (Part 2). Facial disfigurement was measured based on the surgical procedure; nine dysfunctions common to head and neck cancer patients were measured on ladder scales and combined to provide a total dysfunction score. Facial disfigurement was not significantly associated with rehabilitation outcomes, but perceived social support and degree of dysfunction were significantly correlated with rehabilitation. No significant differences in rehabilitation outcomes between modes of treatment were found. Findings suggest a need for further research on rehabilitation strategies which improve outcomes for dysfunctions associated with head and neck cancer.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Time and fiscal constraints on oncology nurses require that continuing education programs yield demonstrable benefit to the clinician, the institution, and patient outcomes. This article describes “gaps and contract,” a strategy that provides nurses with a tool to transfer knowledge from theory to practice, in a measurable form. The framework for this strategy lies within the concept of innovation diffusion. This strategy was used by two universities collaborating to educate 912 oncology health professionals in 38 continuing education programs. Part II of this article will describe the measurement of this strategy.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This article is the second of a two-part series describing “gaps and contract,” a strategy that provides nurses with a mechanism to transfer knowledge from theory into practice in a measurable format. Two universities under contract from the Pennsylvania state cancer plan used this strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of a cancer continuing education program. Two hundred seventy-four (274) contracts from one setting and 205 from a second setting are described. Recommendations for using this strategy to measure the efficacy of cancer continuing education programs are included.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A comparative correlational study was conducted to examine the knowledge and frequency of breast self-examination (BSE) by Greek health care professionals. A total of 268 women working in primary health care centers constituted the sample. The women were 22–64 years of age. Subjects reported low levels of knowledge about BSE and facts related to breast cancer. Multiple regression analysis showed significant relationships between level of knowledge and profession, number of years of health-related education, and frequency of BSE. The sample's frequency of practice of BSE was limited. Only 34.7% of the participants claimed to practice BSE on a monthly basis. Multiple regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between BSE behavior and marital status, professional experience with breast cancer, and level of knowledge. The level of knowledge of the participants is considered to be inadequate, taking into account that they work in settings where primary health care is offered. Courses of preventive medicine and health education should be incorporated in medical and nursing curricula.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse interviewed 33 physicians and 94 nurses at a cancer center about their experience working with oncology patients, including their usual approach to “denial” seen in these patients. Most respondents viewed denial as a useful, nearly universal defense mechanism, potentially capable of interfering with treatment. Physicians described a pattern in which their patients were presented with the facts one time during diagnosis and formulation of a treatment plan, after which denial was allowed and new facts not offered unless the denial was viewed as interfering with the medical intervention. Nurses more often referred to denial as a phase, stressing the importance of honesty in dealing with patients who are prone to deny. They experienced discomfort when patients who were suffering adverse effects of treatment seemed to need greater honesty from their physicians. Discussion of these differences includes the effect of the contexts in which nurses and physicians encounter denial as well as their complementary roles in patient care, and the differential goals and values of the two professions.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) is an increasingly effective treatment option for both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The dose-limiting toxicity of bone marrow suppression after intensive chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy can be minimized by reinfusing the patient's stored marrow. However, the ABMT procedure involves a period of profound neutropenia before the reinfused marrow engrafts and it also carries a significant risk of major organ toxicities. Common adverse effects of the procedure include mucositis, pneumonitis, renal failure, and veno-occlusive disease of the liver. In this article, Orem 's Self-Care Model is used as a framework for assessing ABMT patients with the goal of recognizing developing complications early.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1992

数据来源: OVID