An Analysis of Cancer Symptoms, Perceived Health Status, and Given Nursing Services for Community Dwelling Cancer Patients who are Registered in a Public Health Center / 종양간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze cancer symptoms, perceived health status, and nursing services for community dwelling cancer patients who are registered in a public health center. METHODS: The subject of the study were 561 community dwelling, and home-based cancer patients who were registered in 8 different public health centers in Daegu, Korea. The data collection was performed from September 28 to October 10, 2009. Analysis of data was done by using descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA with SPSS program. RESULTS: The mean score of cancer symptom index was 1.63. The level of fatigue was the highest in cancer symptom index. The mean score of perceived health status was 6.92. The exercise guidance was identified as the most frequently practiced nursing service. The scores of cancer symptom index were significantly different by economic status, marital status, living condition, the status of cancer, and metastasis. The scores of perceived health status was significantly different by education, economic status, type of social insurance, time of cancer diagnosis, status of cancer, and metastasis. CONCLUSION: The above findings indicate that it is necessary to develop a special nursing intervention differentiated according to the time points of cancer diagnosis, status of cancer. In addition, nurses should apply it in their practice to ameliorate fatigue for community dwelling cancer patients who are registered in public health center.