Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine how nurses recognize the need for supportive care of advanced cancer patients and to provide preliminary data on how adequate circumstances are to be set up and maintained in Korea. For the purpose of this study, we developed a preliminary questionnaire based on a focus group of 8 nurses run by a clinical psychologist and administered it to 228 nurses in a cancer hospital, over a 3-month period. Participants of this study were nurses with more than 5 years' experience of treating advanced cancer patients. The result showed that 207 respondents (90.8%) agreed that a smooth communication system for treatment taking into account the symptoms experienced by patients and rehabilitation issues was needed. More than 80% agreed that the items needed for an integrated management service for advanced cancer patients should include psychological support, an integrated pain and symptom management, and education for the patient and his or her caregivers. These results strongly suggest that a new system distinct from palliative care or hospices is needed for patients with advanced cancer in Korea.
Highlights
In 2008, 17.8 million persons were newly diagnosed with cancer, increased of 7.8 percent over 16.6 million new diagnoses in 2007
More than 80% agreed that the items needed for an integrated management service for advanced cancer patients should include psychological support, an integrated pain and symptom management, and education for the patient and his or her caregivers
These results strongly suggest that a new system distinct from palliative care or hospices is needed for patients with advanced cancer in Korea
Summary
In 2008, 17.8 million persons were newly diagnosed with cancer, increased of 7.8 percent over 16.6 million new diagnoses in 2007. The crude incidence rate of all cancers was 361.9 per 100,000 (375.7 for men, 348.1 for women) and the age-standardized incidence rates in 2000 was 286.8 per 100,000 (327.1 for men, 269.1 for women) (National Cancer Information Center, 2011). The incidence of cancer in Korea has increased constantly, but the 5-year cancer survival rates have been improved as cancer treatment has improved; the five-year relative survival rate for cancer patients in Korea is 59.5%, with more than 70 million cancer survivors (National Cancer Information Center, 2011). Cancer patients have a variety of psychological symptoms, suggestive of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder. The prevalence of physical and psychological symptoms are varied according to the reported research by 35-96% for pain, 3-77% for depression, 13-79% for anxiety, 32-90% for fatigue, 10-70% for dyspnea, and 9-69% for sleep disorders (Solano et al, 2006)
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