Quality of Life Among Breast and Colon Cancer Patients Before and After First-Cycle Chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the functioning, symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast or colon cancer before and after their first-cycle (FC) chemotherapy. DESIGN: One-group pretest/posttest design. METHOD: The study utilized the standardized Arabic-translated Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 3 from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer in measuring the functioning, symptoms, and QoL of 120 Saudi patients diagnosed with breast or colon cancer. Dependent t test was used in analyzing the presence of significant differences in mean scores before and after chemotherapy with periods ranging from 14 days to 21 days following the treatment protocol. RESULTS: The findings revealed significant differences in the functioning, symptoms, and QoL among patients with breast or colon cancer before and after FC chemotherapy (p < .001). Baseline scores showed higher physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning; lesser symptoms; lower financial difficulties; and better overall global health status compared to post-FC chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Assessing the QoL of patients with breast or colon cancer undergoing FC chemotherapy is essential to establish a holistic care plan in supporting and alleviating the unfavorable effects of chemotherapy and implement patient-centered interventions that aid in the enhancement of their overall QoL.

Perceptions of confidence among Saudi nursing interns during internship program: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Saudi nursing students are trained in theoretical and clinical nursing competencies for four years before transition to newly graduated nurses through a one-year internship program. The transition period is crucial as nursing students have low confidence without adequate clinical experience. OBJECTIVES: Validate and culturally adapt the Arabic version of the Self-Efficacy for Clinical Evaluation Scale (SECS) and explore nursing interns perceived confidence (self-efficacy). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Four public tertiary training hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A survey was conducted among nursing interns. Validity, reliability, and the cultural relevance of the Arabic-translated instrument was determined. Tests for differences and correlations were undertaken. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived self-efficacy and impor.tance of learning objectives. SAMPLE SIZE: 300 Saudi nursing interns. RESULTS: The Arabic version of SECS was successfully adapted cross-culturally and was valid. Reliability tests showed Cronbach's a=.95 for confidence and Cronbach's a=0.96 for the importance subscales. The overall mean (SD) for perceived confidence and importance of clinical evaluation were 3.7 (0.9) and 4.1 (0.8), respectively. Gender (P less than .001), length of internship (P=.009), and training hospital (P less than .001) were significantly correlated and had a medium effect size with perceived self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Gaining knowledge that the gender, length of intern.ship and area of training affect the perceptions of the Saudi nursing interns towards self-efficacy can help preceptors formulate better strategies in developing nursing intern competence and gaining self-efficacy as they move from the academic to clinical nursing practice. The knowledge gathered in this study should be beneficial to nursing administrators, faculty, and mentors/preceptors. LIMITATIONS: Results may not be generalizable due to the limitations in the setting and there are other factors not included in the study that may have explained variances in perceived self-efficacy. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Nurses` perception of barriers to research utilization in a public hospital in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore nurses` perception of barriers to research utilization. METHODS: A descriptive study was implemented. A total of 243 registered nurses in a public hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was selected using convenience sampling during the first quarter of 2013. The 29-item BARRIERS scale was used. RESULTS: The top 5 items were rated as great or moderate barriers were either setting- or nurse-related: `insufficient time to implement new ideas` (n=157, 64.6%); `nurse sees little benefit for self` (n=150, 61.7%); `nurse does not feel she/he has enough authority to change patient care procedures` (n=146 60.1%); `nurse is isolated from knowledgeable colleagues` (n=145; 59.7%); and `nurse does not have time to read research` (n=143, 58.8%). CONCLUSION: Setting- and nurse-related items comprised the top 5 barriers. Motivation issues, and knowledge-translation issues appeared to be the themes drawn from this study. Further studies using both quantitative and qualitative methods are needed.