Development of Nursing Practice Scale of Cancer Pain Management and Examination of Reliability and Validity

The aims of this study were (1) to develop and validate the scale to measure evidence-based nursing practice in cancer pain management and (2) to identify associated factors. We developed potential items based on the 2014 version of Japanese Clinical Guidelines for Cancer Pain Management and administered anonymous questionnaire for 189 oncology nurses in a designated cancer center. We conducted a re-test to test reliability.167 nurses participated in the study. As a result of item analysis and exploratory factor analysis, we developed a nursing practice scale of cancer pain management and its shortened version. This scale consists of 1 domain 50 items The Cronbach’s α coefficient showing internal consistency was 0.98 (shortened version 0.88). The intra-class correlation coefficient of reliability was 0.52 (shortened version 0.77). Concurrent validity was confirmed by the correlation between the total score of the whole scale and the total score of the practice of palliative care, knowledge, difficulty, self-confidence scale. We concluded that this scale was valid and reliable. Factors related to the nursing practice of cancer pain management were years of experience in cancer nursing, opportunities of postgraduate education, and satisfaction with postgraduate education. This scale can be used for evaluation of daily clinical practice and practice evaluation after educational efforts such as cancer pain nursing training.

Qualitative Study of Outpatients’ Eating-related Distress and Struggle in Cancer Center Hospital

<p>Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the state of eating -related distress and struggle in the daily lives of cancer outpatients in cancer center hospital. Methods: Cancer outpatients who consented to participate in the study filled out self-administered questionnaires regarding eating distress and the means of coping with them. The data were qualitatively analyzed via content analysis method. Results: Data from 176 patients who responded that they experienced eating difficulties were analyzed. A total of 222 codes were extracted for eating-related distress, and these were classified into five categories, which included eating-related symptoms accompanying the disease and its treatment, difficulties related to food preparation, and concerns about eating outside food. A total of 224 codes were extracted for eating-related struggle made by the patients, and these were classified into eight categories, which included adjusting eating methods to make food easier to eat, controlling one’s feelings when unable to eat certain foods, and adjustments related to food preparation. Conclusions: The study results suggested that cancer outpatients require care not only at early stages after treatment for eating-related symptoms but also related to food preparation and concerns when eating outside food.</p>