ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the self-care agency and quality of life (QOL) among patients with brain tumors after craniotomy. METHODS: A sample of 96 patients was recruited from a university hospital in Seoul. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from August 2017 to December 2018. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses with SPSS 24.0, IBM. RESULTS: The mean scores of the 1st and 2nd stages in the self-care agency increased from 4.75 to 5.15, and in the quality of life rose from 67.94 to 78.60. The score of the second stage was higher than the first in all sub-scales of the self-care agency and the quality. Physical function was the only sub-scale of the self-care agency that affected quality of life in both stages (1st: β=.71, p<.001, 2nd : β=.77, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the result, to improve QOL with brain tumor after craniotomy, it is important to assess physical function of patients and provide appropriate interventions.