Determination of the Opinions and Expectations of Cancer Patients and Families about Home Care

Purpose:

This research was conducted as a descriptive study in order to determine the opinions and expectations of cancer patients and their families about home care. 

Methods:

This research was conducted in GMMA Medical Oncology and Hematology Department between October 2012 and April 2013. The sample of the study was included total of 200 participants consisting 100 cancer patients and 100 family members of cancer patients who accepted to participate the study. As the data collection tools, form of socio-demographic and medical characteristics of the patient and families, and form of opinions and expectations of the patient and families about home care, which were developed by the researcher, were used. As descriptive statistics, number and percentage (%) for the count specified variables, average±standart deviation (X±SD) for the measurement specified variables, and Chi-Square (χ2) test for the comparison of categorical variables were used.

Results:

The majority of patients and families participated in the study did not have enough knowledge about home care and legal arrangements, if there were facilities they wanted to maintain their treatment at home, and wanted to the nurse to give home care. The opinions of the patients and families about home care were mostly similar; primarily they indicated that home care services must be paid by government, home care must be with hospital support, they would be more comfortable at home, and they wanted to get education at home. The primarily expectations of the patients and families about home care were hygiene, arrangement of the home environment, nutrition, ambulation, and taking measures to prevent the risk of infection and accidents. 

Conclusion:

It is important to determination of knowledge and expectations of cancer patients and the families about home care in the early stages.