Repository logo

School of Nursing & Public Health

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6703

Browse

Browsing School of Nursing & Public Health by SDG "SDG10"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Developing a brochure to be used by registered nurses working in the oncology settings to educate patients undergoing chemotherapy in public and private oncology settings in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a mixed method study.
    (2024) Mdletshe , Rachel Bonisiwe.; Wentzel , Dorien Lesley.; Gumede , Emelda Zandile.
    Background The delivery of cancer care is facing unprecedented challenges, new technologies, shortage of human and other resources, increased number of patients with cancer and educational challenges. Registered nurses have to administer chemotherapy, function as guides to patients and their families as they make sense of their cancer experiences. Lack of knowledge hinders patients’ capacity to engage in effective interactions with care providers and can also lead to adverse medical outcomes, malpractice lawsuits, missed appointments and medication errors. Purpose The purpose of the study was to develop a brochure for registered nurses working in oncology settings to educate patients undergoing chemotherapy in public and private oncology settings in KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology The study employed a mixed methods approach embracing the sequential designs and pragmatic paradigm. The study was conducted in three oncology settings, one being a private outpatient and two public in/out-patient settings. A sample size of 85 participants was obtained through the use of Stata V15 sample size calculator with the assistance of a statistician and 64 gave consent to participate. Non-probability purposive sampling was used and all recruited participants were informed about the multi-staging processes in data collection (stages). All participants who volunteered to take part in the study gave their consent signed and their ethical issues/rights were explained in detail before the actual commencement of data collection. Mixed methods were employed to ensure that the quantitative aspect of the data was used to probe further or enrich the dialogue in the qualitative phase until data convergence. Using manifest content analysis, themes were identified which together with quantitative data guided the development of the brochure. The brochure was subsequently verified by experts. Findings Based on literature review and the findings of the study a brochure was developed, aimed at enhancing nurses’ support to their patients. The highlight was that nurses tend to focus more on managing patients’ physical side effects and neglect the emotional stages that patients go through chemotherapy. Patients need to know that registered nurses are available to support and guide them through the chemotherapy process. Conclusion When patients first receive the news that they have cancer, most of them feel scared and anxious and this can make them particularly vulnerable. Patients worry about their coping skills during this period and they need support from the healthcare providers. The current study described the knowledge, attitudes and competence of nurses working in oncology settings. Emanating from the quantitative and qualitative data obtained, a brochure was then developed and evaluated by experts. Registered nurses play an important role in educating patients. It is hoped that nurses working in oncology settings will use this brochure to empower patients as they provide valuable emotional support to patients undergoing chemotherapy. In turn, it is hoped that patients will feel emotionally resilient by being able to be aware of the various emotions that could be encountered as well as the knowledge to access support, whilst receiving chemotherapy.