摘要:

Cancer is recognized by health professionals as a phenomenon experienced by the entire family, not just by the individual member diagnosed with the disease. This article is based on an examination of ∼ 200 clinical papers and research studies written between 1970 and 1991. Four major dimensions of the family cancer experience were identified from the literature: developmental stage of the family, cancer illness trajectory, family responses to cancer, and health care provider behaviors. The most developed body of literature documents the family responses to cancer and health-care provider behaviors directed at these responses. Gaps in research knowledge are identified and directions and recommendations for future research are outlined.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Although many nurses and families may develop a spiritual relationship, a review of the literature showed few studies and scant literature addressing this topic. Furthermore, no studies were identified that used methodologies that provide descriptions and understanding of the meaning of this phenomenon. This article describes the application of the phenomenological method in the investigation of the meaning of a spiritual relationship between families and their nurses in a hospice setting. The phenomenological method can be used to uncover the meaning of experience through respondents ‘ descriptions. Transcripts of interviews in which 11 nurses and 12 families were asked to describe their hospice experience were analyzed using Giorgi's approach to Husserlian phenomenology. Descriptions of nurse-family relationships were identified and synthesized into five thematic structures of experience: nurses' ways of being; nurses' ways of doing; nurses' ways of knowing; ways of receiving and giving; and ways of welcoming a stranger. The thematic structures of experience were synthesized into and interpreted as a metaunity of meaning. Through reflection, the unity of meaning was intuited as “The Shining Stranger. ” Analysis of selected Eastern and Western religious literature provided exemplars and a characterization of the shining stranger. Implications of the application of the phenomenological method are discussed.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Neurological complications in bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients include central nervous system (CNS) infection, seizure, cerebrovascular accidents, and CNS disease recurrence. The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern and distribution of CNS complications and responses during BMT and to describe the presentation and outcome of select neurological incidents. The records of 200 BMT patients undergoing transplantation in 1989 were randomly selected and comprise the sampling unit for this study. Generally, the peak occurrence of CNS complications was pretransplant through day 21 posttransplant. Neuropathy and somnolence occurred earliest, peaking on day —13 and —8 pretransplant, respectively; confusion or disorientation peaked around day 12 posttransplant. Fifteen patients (7.5%) experienced seizure or suspected seizure, principally of the tonic-clonic type. Fifty-two patients (26%) experienced coma or encephalopathy. Etiologies included respiratory compromise, renal failure, and hepatic dysfunction, often occurring simultaneously. Coma and encephalopathy were commonly associated with terminal events. Because nurses are often the first to identify sensory and perceptual alterations in BMT patients, these results may assist nurses in the early detection of CNS complications.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Patients undergoing outpatient cancer treatment experience a multitude of therapy-related symptoms. Complete assessment of these symptoms is essential for proper interventions to be provided and to enhance the quality of life of the patient. The primary purposes of the study were to compare the number of symptoms identified by a self-report instrument with those documented in the patient's medical record, and to examine the relationship between the number of self-reported symptoms and quality of life. Ninety-one oncology patients from three outpatient clinics participated in the study. The Oncology Treatment Toxicity Assessment Tool (OTTAT) and the Quality of Life Index (QLI) are self-report instruments, each with 37 items and 18 items, respectively. The mean number of symptoms reported on the OTTAT (mean = 11; range 0–37; SD 8) was significantly higher than that documented in the medical record (mean = 1.5 range 0–9; SD 1.6), (t = 8.7, p = 0.001). Higher scores on the OTTAT were significantly related to lower scores on the QLI (r = −0.67, p = 0.0001).

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Antineoplastic chemotherapy (ANCT) is a primary and adjuvant treatment modality for cancer. Although researchers have found that patients who are given preparatory sensory information before various healthcare procedures experience less discomfort, literature describing subject's sensory experience before, during, and after ANCT is lacking. The purpose of this study was to elicit sensory responses from subjects before, during, and after one of six cycles of their initial course of treatment on one of two emetogenic ANCT protocols. These descriptions will be used to develop a preparatory sensory nursing intervention that may promote self-care and help cancer patients cope with the distress of chemotherapy. The Sensory Information Questionnaire was administered to a sample of 44 subjects who had just completed a cycle of ANCT. Subjects provided descriptors of all senses. The senses for which subjects most frequently provided descriptors were taste, touch, and smell. Descriptors varied for some sensations according to the chemotherapy drug protocols.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient's quality of life as perceived by the patient and primary caregiver at admission and after hospice services had been implemented. The sample consisted of newly admitted patients and their primary caregivers. Thirty-one patient/caregiver dyads were included in the study. The patient's quality of life was assessed using the Sendera Quality of Life Index (SQLI), a 25-item visual analogue scale. Total scores may range from 0 to 100. The SQLI was administered to both patients and caregivers at admission and at week 3 after hospice services were implemented. Although there was no significant difference in the patients' mean scores from admission to week 3 (45.2 to 45.7), 50% of patients did report an improvement in quality of life over the 3-week period. Caregivers reported a significant increase in the patient's quality of life from admission to week 3 (means 47 to 53). The correlations between patient and caregiver scores for admission (r = 0.45) and week 3 (r = 0.39) were moderate. Results show that hospice services may have a positive influence on some aspects of quality of life for some persons who are near death. Further research is needed to explore variables that are most influenced by hospice services.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Oncology nurses experience a variety of occupational stresses. Different support measures have been provided for these nurses, but with mixed effects. This is likely because exact stressors, reactions, and consequences of the stressors differ among groups of oncology nurses, and a support measure appropriate for one group may be ineffective for another group. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the specific components of the stress-response sequence in new and experienced pediatric oncology nurses. Twenty-five nurses participated in guided interviews; nine of these comprised a new nurse orientation group, and 14 nurses were randomly selected from all nurses in the setting who had been in the specialty a minimum of 18 months. The new nurses were interviewed at 3, 6, and 12 months posthire, and the experienced nurses were interviewed one time. Interview data were content analyzed, and codes and definitions were developed for each component of the stress-response sequence. Distinct differences in stressors, reactions, and consequences were noted between new nurses who resigned before the 12th month of employment and those who did not, and between new nurses and experienced nurses; new nurses had few coping reactions, and their most common reaction was resignation. Experienced nurses had a greater number and different types of coping reactions and more positive consequences. Descriptive profiles were developed from the codes and can be used as a basis for tailored support measures for pediatric oncology nurses.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Twenty-two families who had a child dying from cancer in hospitals in China were interviewed regarding their situation. The interviews were all conducted in Chinese, and the results were analyzed descriptively. Cancer was identified by all families as the most frightening aspect of their situations. Not having enough money for medicines and hospitalization were identified as being the most difficult problem. Sixteen of 22 families paid for the total cost of medical treatment and hospitalization by themselves. The families gave suggestions for other families who may have a child with cancer.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID