摘要:

Quality of life, as a concept, has received increased attention in recent years. In fact, issues related to quality of life have been identified as among the top three priorities for research by the Oncology Nursing Society. Several nurse investigators have underscored the importance of quality of life research as an outcome measure to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions. Given its significance in contemporary nursing practice, a clear understanding of the definition and dimensions of quality of life is essential for future development of an empirical knowledge base for practice. This article presents a concept analysis of quality of life as it relates to the health care of individuals with non-small cell lung cancer. An evolutionary method of concept analysis is used as a guide for examining the historical context of the concept, defining the concept, identifying antecedents, recognizing consequences, and distinguishing related concepts. A theoretical model of health-related quality of life is proposed on the basis of this analysis, and future directions for research in this population are discussed.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Education of cancer patients is complicated by a number of factors including timing, understanding of medical terms, and anxiety-induced inattention. The concern about patient education has led to the common practice of providing brochures about cancer, responses to cancer, treatment, and management of side effects. This material is often written at reading levels that do not match the reading ability of the patient. Research has indicated that the stated educational level is not equivalent to reading level. Realistic testing of a patient's reading ability thus becomes important in choosing the correct educational materials. This article reviews seven common available tests and discusses in detail the use of the Rapid Estimation of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM).

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Technological advances and improved understanding of the biology of the immune response have resulted in a resurgence of interest in the use of tumor vaccination as a means to control cancer. Tumor vaccines genetically modified with cytokine genes comprise the greatest proportion of gene therapy approaches to cancer. Tumor cells obtained at resection of the primary tumor are grown in tissue culture and genetically modified with cytokine genes such that the vaccine cells, after injection, may stimulate immune recognition of tumor cells and generate immunologic memory to prevent future tumor recurrence. There are many unanswered questions regarding tumor vaccination including the optimal dose, optimal cytokine, injection technique including route and site of vaccine delivery, and methods of evaluating the immune response. Oncology nurses have an integral role in these areas as well as in evaluating patients for as yet undetermined side effects. As tumor vaccines receive increasing attention by the lay media, oncology nurses, especially those in the clinical research setting, must learn new terminology and concepts relevant to this new treatment approach in order to effectively translate the information to patients.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT), a case study of a clinical prevention trial, offered a unique opportunity to examine the multifaceted and complex role of the nurse. The primary aims of this study were (a) to identify the self-descriptions of a sample of nurses involved in the day-to-day management of the BCPT, (b) to determine the nurses' perceptions of their own role and the role of the women who joined the BCPT, (c) to understand the role of the nurse in the larger context of a clinical prevention trial, and (d) to expand the knowledge base regarding some of the social and ethical underpinnings of clinical prevention trials with healthy participants.The research design was qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory. The methods used were the telephone interview and the focus group. Fifty BCPT nurses were interviewed. This included 30 telephone interviews and 20 additional BCPT nurses who participated in four national and international focus groups. After analysis of the data using ethnographic methods, a view of the multifaceted role of the BCPT nurse emerged. On a broader scale, the inquiry raised a number of critical ethical and social issues that are relevant to future clinical prevention trials with volunteer human participants.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Patients, providers, and families are increasingly involved in end-of-life decisions (advance directives, health care proxy, do-not-resuscitate [DNR] status consents). These decisions can be complex processes whereby the participants in the process must come to terms with often painful and difficult decisions. The role perception of the nurse in end-of-life decision making is not well delineated. This chapter explores the results of a study that addresses the question, "What are the experiences of oncology nurses as they interact with patients and/or family members during the process of patients/families signing DNR consents. The grounded theory method of data collection and analysis was used to explore this question. The results of the study indicate that central to the process of consenting to DNR status is the degree of shared understanding about the meaning of DNR status among participants and the conflict that can occur when meanings are not shared. A model is presented that illustrates the connections between the meanings of DNR (patient, family, and provider) and congruence and conflict in the DNR consent process. Strategies are discussed that facilitate prevention or resolution of conflict in the DNR status decision-making process. Strategies used by the nurse to facilitate decision making by patient and families include communicating with, caring for, educating, advocating for, and collaborating with patients, families, and other providers.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID