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Objective: Lymphedema developing in the lower extremities following gynecological cancer surgery (LE-GCS) produces various kinds of sufferings, including impacts on quality of life (QOL) and body image. This research will serve as a basic resource for the care of patients with this type of lymphedema (LE).Patients and Methods: A qualitative discursive research method: Thirteen patients suffering from LE-GCS were interviewed in a semi-organized manner. Analysis involved extracting and codifying from transcripts and expressions related to the suffering of LE. Next, these codes were arranged into categories and subcategories under the supervision of qualitative researchers. Furthermore, this study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Review Specialist Committee, which targets individuals affiliated with the public university corporation of Shiga Prefectural University.Results: Based on the interviews with 13 patients aged 47–79 (median age 62), two core categories were created: 1). Suffering of LE Developing in Lower Extremities (570 codes, seven categories, 23 subcategories); and 2). Supports that Allow Patients to Face Suffering of LE (254 codes, four categories, 14 subcategories).Conclusion: Patients with LE-GCS live with the fear that LE exacerbation will produce adverse life changes, and this may exceed the fear of cancer itself. The aggravation of their condition results in immense pain as well as reduced mobility, change in appearance, and loss of self-worth. The symptoms fluctuate, and may lead to chronic misery, which does not manifest, but occasionally flares-up because of both, worsening physical disability as well as ordinary events. Additionally, every patient subjectively described the strength they found within themselves to face the suffering. They cited the support of family and friends, existence of compassionate therapists and doctors, acquisition of knowledge, and self-care.
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Objective: This study examines the job satisfaction of Mongolian hospital nurses by comparing their status and workload of Mongolian nurses with Japanese nurses’ one.Settings and participants/Methods: Survey data were collected from randomly selected 200 nurses (100 were Mongolians and the other 100 were Japanese) who agreed to participate in the survey. Data were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire. Survey items were age, the duration of work experience, work position, health condition, accumulated fatigue, stress level, and whether having family members who need child care or nursing care. Collected data were analyzed by t-test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test.Results: The average age of Mongolian nurses was significantly lower than that of Japanese nurses. Consequently, the average work experience of Mongolian nurses was less than that of Japanese nurses. More Japanese than Mongolian nurses had family members in need of care. Job satisfaction and status were significantly higher among Japanese than Mongolian nurses. However, Japanese nurses have family members who need child care or nursing care at a higher rate than Mongolian nurses. Job satisfaction of Japanese nurses about their work and job status was significantly higher than Mongolian nurses’ one. However, the opposite result was found in the job satisfaction about their workload. The influence of the relationships among nurses on the job satisfaction was significantly greater in Mongolian nurses than in Japanese nurses. Job satisfaction of Japanese nurses about their salaries was significantly higher than Mongolian nurses’ one.Conclusion: In order to raise nurses’ job satisfaction in Mongolia, it is necessary to raise their “occupational status” and salary of nurses.
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<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to implement self-care support for leg lymphedema patients using mobile phones and to investigate the effects thereof.<br><b>Patients and Methods:</b> A total of 30 patients with lymphedema following female genital cancer surgery (stages I to II) who were referred from a nearby gynecologist were randomly divided into groups for routine self-care support (control group) and mobile telephone-assisted support (intervention group) and received the self-care support appropriate to their group. The (total) circumference of the leg with edema, FACT-G (cancer patient QOL), MHP (mental health status), and self-care self-assessment were comparatively investigated at three months after the initial interview.<br><b>Results:</b> No significant reduction in the (total) circumferences of legs with edema was confirmed in either the control or intervention group. The intervention group was significantly better than the control group in terms of the activity circumstances and FACT-G mental status at three months after the initial interview. The intervention group was also significantly better in psychological, social, and physical items in the MHP. The intervention group was significantly better than the control group in terms of circumstances of self-care implementation at three months after the initial interview. Additionally, comparison of the circumstances of implementation for different aspects of self-care content showed that the intervention group was significantly better at selecting shoes, observing edema, moisturizing, self-drainage, wearing compression garments, and implementing bandaging.<br><b>Conclusion:</b> Compared with routine self-care support, mobile telephone-assisted support is suggested to be effective for leg lymphedema patients’ QOL and mental health status as well as their self-care behaviors.
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<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to implement self-care support for leglymphedema patients using mobile phones and to investigate the effects thereof.<br><b>Patients and Methods:</b> A total of 30 patients with lymphedema followingfemale genital cancer surgery (stages I to II) who were referred from a nearbygynecologist were randomly divided into groups for routine self-care support (controlgroup) and mobile telephone-assisted support (intervention group) and received theself-care support appropriate to their group. The (total) circumference of the leg withedema, FACT-G (cancer patient QOL), MHP (mental health status), and self-careself-assessment were comparatively investigated at three months after the initialinterview.<br><b>Results:</b> No significant reduction in the (total) circumferences of legs withedema was confirmed in either the control or intervention group. The intervention groupwas significantly better than the control group in terms of the activity circumstances andFACT-G mental status at three months after the initial interview. The intervention groupwas also significantly better in psychological, social, and physical items in the MHP. Theintervention group was significantly better than the control group in terms ofcircumstances of self-care implementation at three months after the initial interview.Additionally, comparison of the circumstances of implementation for different aspects ofself-care content showed that the intervention group was significantly better at selectingshoes, observing edema, moisturizing, self-drainage, wearing compression garments, andimplementing bandaging.<br><b>Conclusion:</b> Compared with routine self-care support, mobiletelephone-assisted support is suggested to be effective for leg lymphedema patients’ QOLand mental health status as well as their self-care behaviors.