摘要:

Ovarian cancer may be particularly challenging for women, both physically and psychologically, because of the advanced nature of the disease at the time of diagnosis, the side effects of the disease, the repetitive cycles of aggressive therapy, and the perceived loss of femininity from the removal of reproductive organs. In addition, women with this disease rarely have an opportunity for cure. Most will face the very real possibility of dying. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of women living with ovarian cancer. Eighteen women participated in interviews, in which they described their experiences living with the disease. Women reported the myriad day-to-day changes in their lives, the major challenges they had to face, and the sources to which they turned for support. Implications for the practice of oncology nurses involve assessment, an understanding of the profound impact that this illness has on both the woman and her family, and the need to access a variety of supportive care programs.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Most women with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, because of the advanced nature of the disease at the time of diagnosis, will face the very real possibility of an early death. Thus the disease can have a significant impact on women who play a central role in the day-to-day management of family life, the nurture of children, and the care of extended family. This article reports the perspectives of women living with ovarian cancer regarding their experiences confronting recurrent disease. For this qualitative study 18 women were interviewed. Four primary themes emerged from the analysis of the verbatim interview transcripts: waiting for recurrence, facing the diagnosis of recurrence, managing treatment-related concerns, and attempting to regain control. The practice implications for oncology nurses involve understanding the significant meaning associated with monitoring tumor markers and recurrent disease, assisting women in accessing information and support, and engaging in sensitive communication.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The purpose of this descriptive exploratory study by the Dutch Oncology Nursing Society was to describe the problem areas in the care of patients who are receiving chemotherapy as perceived by patients and professional caregivers as well as to explore differences between the perceptions of patients and professional caregivers. Three independent samples of 120 patients who are being treated with chemotherapy, 42 chemotherapy prescribing medical specialists, and 68 oncology nurses who are involved in the daily bedside care of the patients undergoing chemotherapy participated in the study. Patients and professional caregivers completed a 69- and a 58-item self-administered questionnaire, respectively. Results show that patients were satisfied with the medical and nursing care they received. Furthermore, results suggest that professional caregivers perceive the experience of patients with chemotherapy differently than patients, eg, patients perceive chemotherapy as reassuring that something is being done; whereas caregivers think that patients experience chemotherapy as something to fear or be anxious or uncertain about. It further seems that professional caregivers are more prone to act upon the medical–technical aspects of the treatment than to act on psychosocial sequelae of the treatment.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Self-help groups are a growing phenomenon across national borders. Current sociologic empirical evidence shows that nurses and other healthcare professionals have become an integral part of self-help groups. The aim of the study is to describe and highlight the experiences of patients with cancer (n = 21) and oncology nurses (n = 12) with self-help groups. These experiences are drawn on to illustrate the characteristics of professional involvement in self-help groups for patients with cancer. Data were obtained by individual qualitative interviews. The results show that the nurse functions as a social networker and uses her contextual competence by consciously encouraging relationships between fellow patients. Furthermore, the study illustrates that the nurse’s involvement with self-help groups for patients with cancer serves as a complementary dimension to the traditional nursing discourse. It is concluded that when individualized care is supported through social practice and when personal issues are exchanged and negotiated, the nurse facilitates a milieu of togetherness in self-help groups for patients with cancer. The concept of self-help groups is a valuable contribution to new theories and service development in psychosocial care and complies with the understanding of the postmodern individual, who viewed as primarily responsible for negotiating, socializing, and making his or her own decisions.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This study aimed to develop and pilot test a community-based education program that addresses the prevention and management of the major side effects of cancer and its treatment according to a Patient Active Empowerment Model. This piloted program evaluated the health and quality of life outcomes for patients with cancer. The program was implemented through a half-day patient education conference. This conference included clinical information concerning disease and treatment-related side effects, an overview of treatment methods, information to help improve communication between the patient and healthcare team, education materials and experiences to empower patients and caregivers, and integration of specific mind-body techniques to strengthen key educational messages and reinforce the importance of side effect management. A total of 32 patients completed both the program and psychometric assessments on the day of the intervention and 30 days later. The participants were primarily white women with an average age of 57 years. Breast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer experienced by the participants. The pilot results for this small sample showed that from baseline to follow-up evaluation, patients reported significant decreases in depressive symptoms and problems with work or other daily activities that resulted from emotional distress. Some improvements in health and well-being were greater for those who had not experienced fever or infection, those who had no children, and those who were working. Participants indicated that the program was useful in its ability to help them manage treatment side effects. Although the findings presented in this article are based only on a pilot program evaluation and a small sample, they do suggest that the program may be effective in educating patients about specific cancer side effects and empowering them to cope more effectively with their illness. Results showing that subgroups of individuals may have benefited more from the intervention provide important information about specific components of the program that may be particularly salient and potential changes that might be usefully implemented.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The demands and uncertainties associated with adjustments to chronic illness present challenges to maintaining a stable family life. Little has been reported about mother–child relationships within the cancer experience and even less about interventions that may be useful to help these dyads maintain stability. The focus of this article is a pilot study of an intervention addressing the mother–child relationship of women with breast cancer and their school-aged children. A part of the data collection comprised interviews of mothers and fathers to assess their perceptions of the influence of the intervention on the quality of the mother–child relationships after the program. Using inductive content analysis, the fathers’ and mothers’ data were organized into categories, domains, and an explanatory construct, called making the most of the moment. The processes by which the intervention affected the mother–child relationships and implications for professionals who work with families are reported.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Few, if any, qualitative studies aimed at gaining an understanding of the experience of patients with prostate cancer have been done. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the meaning of being a patient living with untreated localized prostate cancer. Seven men with untreated localized prostate cancer were interviewed in their homes. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed into text. The text was analyzed using a phenomenologic-hermeneutic approach inspired by Ricoeur’s philosophy. The meaning of living with untreated localized prostate cancer could be interpreted as living life under a dark shadow. The disease was described as a threat to the patient’s life. When living under this shadow, many of the men studied had an ambivalent wish both to share their experience with others and to be alone with their experiences of the disease. They believed that the disease had changed their lives, and their manhood was restricted by sexual dysfunctions and described as a burden. They used various coping strategies to manage this situation. Despite a positive relationship with their physicians, there is a risk that these patients will not be given the attention they need because of their good prognosis.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The importance of hope in determining the adjustment of patients with cancer to their illness has been recognized. Stressful events such as pain and disease metastasis may have an impact on patients’ hope levels. This study had three purposes: 1) to examine the effect of disease status on hope levels among patients with cancer who have pain; (2) to compare the level of hope between patients with cancer who have pain and those do not; and (3) to determine which dimensions of pain are associated with hope. Patients (n = 226) with various cancer diagnoses completed the Herth Hope Index. Disease status was measured by one objective indicator (disease stage) and one subjective indicator (perceived treatment effect). The Perceived Meanings of Cancer Pain Inventory was used to measure the cognitive dimension of pain, whereas pain intensity and relief were used to represent the sensory dimension of pain. The patients’ disease stage did not affect their level of hope, but their perception of treatment effect was associated with this factor. No difference in level of hope was found between patients with pain and those without pain. For those with pain, the cognitive dimension of pain (meaning ascribed to pain) was significantly correlated with hope, whereas sensory dimensions (pain intensity and relief) showed no such correlation. The study results support the role of cognition in promoting the psychological well-being of patients with cancer.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This article presents findings from a study of 536 patients with cancer and 473 of their close relatives from 15 different hospitals in Norway. The study assessed the satisfaction of both groups with the help and support they received from different sources such as family and friends, health personnel, and fellow patients. The results indicate that the patients received more support and information than their close relatives. The patients also were generally more satisfied with the support. Furthermore, the relatives seemed to underestimate the help and support provided to the patients. For both the patients and their close relatives, family and friends proved to be important sources of support. Regarding the public health services, almost 90% of the patients were very satisfied with the medical treatment. On the other hand, only an approximate 13% were very satisfied with information about alternative treatment and financial issues related to the disease. For the patients, the contact with fellow patients was highly valued. For most of the patients, this contact provided hope for the future, but it also had the potential for painful and sad feelings. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Norwegian Cancer Society to provide information that can be used for the guidance of health personnel and care of patients and their relatives.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID