Search

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the level of satisfaction with the role of Korean oncology advanced practice nurses (KOAPNs) among cancer patients, physicians, and nurses. Methods: This study was conducted with 176 patients who had experienced KOPANs’ care more than three times, as well as 82 physicians and 190 nurses who have worked with KOAPNs at four hospitals in Korea. Results: The results indicate that 1) Overall satisfaction in the patient group was high (3.61) and they were most satisfied with the ‘attentiveness’ domain; 2) Overall satisfaction in the physician group was also high (3.61), however, that in the nurse group was relatively low (3.28); ‘coordination & cooperation’ showed the highest score for satisfaction in both groups, while ‘research’ domain showed the lowest score; 3) Cancer type in patients, working department in physicians or nurses, and duration working with KOAPNs in nurses showed significant association with satisfaction; and 4) The ratio of KOAPNs-to-patient, time since introduction of the KOAPNs policy, and incentive system were institutional factors showing significant association with it. Conclusion: These findings suggest the necessity for identification and standardization of the roles of KOAPNs, as well as promotion of awareness of KOAPNs’ care.

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop the telecommunication guideline that was possible to make the immediate, logical decisions and to evaluate the possibility of the use by verifying it from the specialists’ group. Methods: Telecommunication guideline was designed with selected six symptoms which were pain, dyspnea, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and cough based on the results of literature. Results: This study showed that the patients understood well about the contents of the questions, examination, and education. Also, 85% of them fulfilled the guidelines of the adjustment and more of them were satisfied with the results shown to all of them compared to the previous telecommunication. And 95% of them replied that the information from the telecommunication was more useful than any other information sources related to the information of cancer and self management that were used previously. Conclusion: The telecommunication was considered to complement the weakness during the time the cancer patients spent at home after the treatments. Also, it was expected to be a role as an immediate and comprehensive method of decision making and a passage for information supply which was considered the specialty of individual patient related to an inquiry of the self management.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of prayer in Christian patients with breast cancer. Methods: Data collection and analysis were conducted by the Colaizzi analysis of phenomenological method. Data were collected by in-depth interviewing the participants and by further follow-up observations. Sixteen patients participated in this study. Results: The significant statements (188), formulated meanings (42), themes (38), clusters of theme (10), and categories (5) were emerged. The 5 categories were as follows: communication with God, healing and peace, spiritual growth, distrust in prayer, and method of prayer. Conclusion: Further studies need to consider the period of faith, comparison between christian and other religions, and length of diagnosis. A better understanding of the meaning of prayer will lead to a more comprehensive view of the spiritual care for patients with breast cancer, and can lead to guidelines for assessment and intervention to reduce suffering from cancer.