1,721,281 research outputs found
Measuring fatigue in patients with cancer
No full textOur current state of knowledge of the fatigue experienced by patients with cancer is limited, and further development is hampered by the definitions of fatigue, which remain numerous, inconsistent, and varied according to the discipline of the author and the nature of the research. It is fairly well established within the healthcare literature that it is multidimensional in nature. This has implications for the reliable and valid assessment of this phenomenon. There are a number of instruments currently available with which to measure cancer-related fatigue. These include instruments developed for use initially with healthy populations, such as airmen and workers engaged in manual and clerical work. However, cancer-specific fatigue assessment instruments are now available, and are preferable to those instruments developed without reference to this patient group. Fatigue is often found as a single item or scale in self-report measures of symptoms, mood and functional status reflecting the effect of fatigue and the interaction of fatigue with other symptoms or concepts related to quality of life. Factors to be considered in selecting a measure of fatigue for research will be outlined, and recommendations for the future development and validation of useful and scientifically credible measures of fatigue made
Fatigue in cancer patients: a review of the literature.
No full textThis paper reviews the research literature concerning fatigue in cancer patients, evaluating the quality of the evidence, thus helping to focus the direction and methodological rigour required in future investigations. Since fatigue in this population has been attributed to several mechanisms these will be discussed. The prevalence of fatigue in cancer patients will then be documented. An overview of what is currently understood about fatigue in cancer will follow. Based on the literature, conceptual and methodological difficulties will be described. Finally, gaps in understanding will be identified. Suggestions for future research will be formulated and potential interventions to decrease feelings of fatigue explore
Studies exploring self-care for the person coping with cancer: a review
No full textIndividuals living with an illness such as cancer and receiving chemotherapy must often meet a new set of demands, that are not amongst their usual repertoire of skills and knowledge. Little is known about how patients manage the illness of cancer and in particular what self-care actions they develop and perform to cope with the side-effects of treatment. This paper outlines Orem's theory of self-care and describes its utilization in the design of a number of research studies in the cancer patient population. In particular, work which has explored the role of self-care in relationship to the control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting is reviewed. The role of manipulating food and fluid intake, exercise and sleep and diversionary activities are explored; self-care is considered a vital part of the battle against combating nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and further studies are urge
The Health Diary: an example of its use as a data collection method.
No full textUse of a health diary has been common in nursing practice settings. Nurses have incorporated the diary as a means of helping clients to document their symptoms and factors which may have precipitated them, often with the aim of modifying particular health behaviours. To date there has been limited exploration of this tool in a nursing research context. Advantages and disadvantages associated with the diary when utilized as a research instrument in health settings are summarized and particular consideration is given to their use in nursing research with cancer patients. Features of the method such as completion and respondent co-operation, format and issues surrounding data analysis are considered. The advantages of this method warrant further exploration in nursing research, despite conflicting and insubstantial evidence regarding the feasibility, validity and reliability of specific kinds of information reported in a diar
The Royal Marsden Hospital manual of core care plans for cancer nursing
No full textThe purpose of this book is to provide a reference source of research-based core care plans for nurses caring for patients with cancer. It is intended to guide nurses who have cancer patients in their charge towards the considerations necessary when drawing up individual care plan
Creating a culture of compassion: developing supportive care for people with cancer
No full textReceiving the 2003 Distinguished Merit Award from the European Oncology Nursing Society is a great moment in my professional career. It is also a time for reflection. We can easily become immersed in the specifics of our work and forget the larger picture. An opportunity such as this allows me to step back, reflect and review what I have accomplished. It also challenges me to think about the totality of cancer nursing and cancer care, look at where we have been and about where we should be going. At the heart of this lies the concept of supportive care. I would like to consider three pertinent areas. First, I will define what I consider the domain of supportive care in cancer to be. Second, I will look at what is needed to further supportive care for people with cancer. This involves building the discipline of more rigorous symptom assessment and documentation; better management of the symptoms and concerns that confront people with cancer; moving beyond the traditional framework of treatment and care, embracing a more integrated approach; addressing quality whilst at the same expediting the delivery of supportive care services. Third, I would like to consider the challenges to reform that this presents for cancer nursing and cancer nurses. A road map for change will be presented which highlights both the necessity to promote a supportive care culture whilst simultaneously building a dedicated infrastructure of staff and services. Nurses must play a key role in supportive care. Because of our unique clinical and research base, we are primed to assume leadership roles in both these spheres. Mutual valuing, partnership and shared working are the only means of delivering enhanced cancer care. We should grasp opportunities, confident that together we have the skills and knowledge to move forward. Today is yesterday's tomorrow. We cannot do anything about yesterday, but we can do something about today to ensure tomorrow is how we want it to be. We can become what we dream, let us live that dream outside and really drive forward the care we provide for people with cancer and their familie
Theories of self-care: their relevance to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
No full textNausea and vomiting are reputed to be two of the most disruptive side-effects associated with chemotherapy Pharmacological and behavioural interventions are well described in the literature, but sparse attention appears to have been focused upon the role of self-care This paper outlines the problem of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting The concept of self-care is described, including possible motivations to perform self-care, and potential relationships between symptom perception and self-care are noted It concludes with suggestions for theoretical work and future research studies concerning self-care behaviour for nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherap
Recent progress in understanding cancer-related fatigue.
No full textFatigue is increasingly being recognized as one of the most pervasive problems likely to arise from having cancer and/or related treatment. Fatigue occurs regardless of whether an individual is in the early or advanced stages of the disease process. This article will provide a summary of the progress that has been made in recent years in furthering understanding of this symptom. It examines key studies that have been published since 1995 in the following four areas: the experience of fatigue from the patient, family and healthcare provider perspective; development and testing of ways to measure fatigue; examination of the course, causes and correlates of fatigue; and, finally, the development and testing of interventions to prevent, alleviate and manage fatigue
Fatigue in cancer: a phenomenological perspective.
No full textFatigue is a frequently encountered symptom in cancer populations. This study aimed to describe the experience of fatigue from the perspective of cancer patients who had recently completed a course of chemotherapy. A phenomenological method was used. The themes which emerged from the data indicated both a shared and individual experience of fatigue. These incorporated: the nature of fatigue; the causes, consequences, strategies for coping with fatigue; and the trajectory of the fatigue experience. Issues arising from the nature of phenomenological inquiry and the research were also elicited from this study. An understanding of the fatigue experience for this population and the use of phenomenology have implications for the nursing profession's knowledge base and for clinical practic
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