Poster Presentation
Monday, November 5, 2007
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Monday, November 5, 2007
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Effective Management of Common Symptoms Experienced by Oncology Patients During Therapy: Pilot Study
Phoebe D. Williams, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS, USA and Kirstin A. Williams, RN, BSN, School of Nursing, University of Kansas Medical Center, Overland Park, KS, USA.
| Learning Objective #1: Describe the research design used in the study. |
| Learning Objective #2: Explain the outcome variables and the independent [treatment] variable in the study. |
Objective: Using the Stetler model for evidence-based practice, Study Question is: What are the effects of a nursing intervention focused on teaching symptom management to patients as they undergo therapy for cancer?
Design: Two-group, repeated measures design: baseline, midpoint, endpoint of therapy. Group 1 consists of 10 patients who receive the usual care but not the pilot intervention. They answer the data collection tools at the same intervals as Group 2, 10 patients, who receive the intervention.
Sample, Setting: Subjects include 20 adult subjects, new chemotherapy patients who agree to join the study and sign the consent form.
Variables: Outcomes measured are: symptom severity, functional status, quality of life, re-hospitalizations, and visits to the Emergency Department. Intervention: Symptom management methods developed by the Oncology Nursing Society and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network are used. Teaching provided by Nurse Clinician is reinforced by printed materials for patient’s easy access at home, and telephone contacts.
Method: Data collection instruments with good psychometric properties are used. The Therapy Related Symptom Checklist, TRSC, a brief, validated assessment tool has has been used in patient care to set priorities in the management of symptoms reported by patients as well as evaluate care provided. Quality of life is measured by patient report, and functional status is rated by the clinician. Descriptive data analyses include mean scores for each TRSC symptom, total scores on all the instruments at baseline, midpoint, and the end of the patient’s treatment cycle. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs and correlation analyses are done.
Findings, Conclusions: Study is ongoing; completion in May 2007. Implications: Oncology patients receiving therapy experience a variety of symptoms. Interventions to manage those symptoms greatly impact the patients’ quality of life. Significance of proposed study is its focus on Patient Reported Outcomes [PRO], a current initiative in oncology care.