1. Profiling And Documenting The Information Gap Amongst Gynecological Cancer Patients In An Apex Institute Of North India.
- Author
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Suri, Vanita, Ghoshal, Sushmita, and Kaur, Sukhpal
- Subjects
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CAREGIVERS , *CANCER patient care , *CANCER relapse , *SPERM banks , *CANCER patients , *CERVICAL cancer , *RADIOTHERAPY - Abstract
Background: Gynecology OPDs of tertiary care hospitals are usually overburdened with patients. Doctors are not in a position to provide quality counseling to cancer patients. This compromises the quality of care. Objectives: To document pattern and profile of gynecological cancer cases admitted in PGIMER, Chandigarh To identify information gap in cancer patients and care givers reporting at Gynecology OPD of PGIMER, Chandigarh Methods: Profiling was done by taking retrospective data of five years (2012-2016). Information gap was identified by conducting case studies on common problems faced by patients during and after therapy. A prototype of Self Instruction Manual (SIM) was developed to counsel cancer patients and their care givers. The SIM was then circulated amongst experts for validation. Results: At PGIMER maximum gynaecological cancer case load is seen from Punjab (37%), followed by Haryana (22%), Chandigarh (16%), HP (15%) and others (10%). A total of 3973 patients got admitted out of which 95 died in hospital only. Among gynecological cancers, majority were cervical cancer (63%) followed by ovarian cancer (22%), uterine cancer (12%), vulval cancer (2%) and vaginal cancer (1%). Average length of stay was of 5.22 days. Maximum (56%) cases were 40-60 years old. No significant co-relation with socio economic status was seen. Case study 1: A 38 year old educated cancer uterus woman was not aware why her uterus was removed. She was worried about the risk of recurrence and spread of cancer. Case study 2: A 16 year old schoolgirl with cancer ovary and her mother were anxious about the complications of surgery and its impact treatment on fertility. Case study 3: Another 72 year old woman undergoing radiotherapy for cancer cervix was scared about the side effects of treatment. She was also not aware about the diet she should take. A definite information gap was seen among patients and their care givers. Accordingly a protocol was evolved and tried in a special counseling room in Gynaecology OPD where their queries were successfully resolved. Conclusion: It is feasible (and there is an urgent need) to establish a special room in hospitals where cancer patients and their care givers can be counseled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017