Generación de Nuevo Conocimiento: Artículos publicados en revistas especializadas - Electrónicos
Care needs of cancer patients undergoing ambulatory treatment : Necesidades de cuidado de pacientes con cáncer en tratamiento ambulatorio
Fecha
2015-11-15Registro en:
Autor
Ayala de Calvo, Luz Esperanza
Sepulveda-Carrillo, Gloria Judith
Institución
Resumen
Cancer causes significant physical, emotional and social changes; as a result, it generates numerous
needs in both, patients and families. The necessity for information and support for home care and daily
activities has increased in patients with cancer who are facing changes in medical models and must
undergoing ambulatory treatments, shorter hospitalization and longer survival period. In this cross
sectional study we explored the health-care needs of 173 cancer patients undergoing ambulatory
treatment in three specialized oncology units at two hospitals in Bogota, by using the Spanish validated
version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SFS28). Nearly half of the patients (46.95%)
reported care needs in at least one of the five domains under consideration. Identifying care needs is
particularly important in the case of patients with high risk of being unattended because these can affect
negatively their compliance with the treatment, health condition and quality of life. A questionnaire like
the one used in our survey allows nurses to identify care needs and to focus on appropriate nursing
care actions and patient education. Nursing care should take into account the particular needs of all
patients in order to teach them and their families how to provide effective self-care, to solve health
problems and to satisfy patient needs and demands.