Nursing Needs and Satisfaction of Family of Pediatric Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the nursing needs and satisfaction of pediatric cancer patient families during chemotherapy. METHODS: Data collection was conducted from April to July 2016 using the questionnaire of nursing needs and satisfaction developed by the researchers in 123 families of children who were diagnosed with pediatric cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANCOVA using the SPSS 22.0 program. RESULTS: Nursing needs and satisfaction were 4.27 ± 0.78 and 4.16 ± 0.57, respectively. Significant differences between nursing need and satisfaction were observed in the educational/informational domain (t=3.94, p=<.001) and community resources nursing domain (t=2.16, p=.032). Also, in terms of general characteristics, the nursing needs were significantly different depending on the elapsed time after diagnosis (t=1.98, p=.049), and the nursing satisfaction was significantly different depending on the type of treatment (F=4.02, p=.009). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, when caring for children who are receiving chemotherapy and their family, it is necessary to develop nursing interventions that meet the individualized nursing needs of those directly and indirectly affected.