Quality of work life and working conditions among oncology nurses: A national online descriptive cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of work life (QoWL) and working conditions of oncology nurses in Turkey. The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. The data were collected via the introductory information form and Brooks' Quality of Nursing Work Life Survey. The study was completed with 138 nurses. The factors affecting QoWL were determined using stepwise multiple linear regression. Nurses had a moderate QoWL, and age, duration of working in nursing, the number of nurses, and the working style were significantly associated with QoWL. To improve the QoWL, the nurses' socio-demographic factors should be considered and working conditions should be improved. Furthermore, well-designed institutional policies should be developed to improve the patient-nurse ratio and provide a quality healthcare.What this paper adds?In the current study, Turkish oncology nurses had a moderate quality of work life.Age, duration of working in the nursing, the number of nurses in the unit and the working style were linked to work-related quality of life in oncology nurses.Well-designed institutional policies should be developed to improve the working conditions and to increase work-related quality of life in oncology nurses.

The Effect of Foot Massage on Peripheral Neuropathy-Related Pain and Sleep Quality in Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

This study, which was conducted on patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, aimed to evaluate the effect of foot massage on peripheral neuropathic pain and sleep quality. The survey was conducted between November 2018 and April 2019. Research data were collected through questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique 4/Neuropathic Pain 4 (DN4) Questions, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Classical foot massage was applied to participants in the intervention group, and they received 3 sessions a week, with each session lasting for 20 minutes over a period 4 weeks. After each massage session, pain levels were again assessed using the VAS and DN4 questionnaires. It has been shown that foot massage intervention reduces the patients' pain levels and has a positive effect on their sleep quality. Accordingly, foot massage can be recommended to patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to reduce their peripheral neuropathy-related pain and improve their sleep quality.

The effect of three different solutions on preventing oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplantation: a non-randomized controlled trial: A Turkish study - NON-RANDOMISED TRIAL.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different solutions administered to patients undergoing stem cell transplantation on oral mucositis. METHODS: The non-randomised controlled trial was conducted at a Istanbul Medipol Mega university hospital in Turkey between May 2014 and June 2016, and comprised patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. They were divided into three groups. Group 1 had patients using chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride solution. Group 2 had those using calcium and phosphate solution. Group 3 patients were using black mulberry syrup. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and the World Health Organisation mucositis assessment scale. Assessment was done on days 7, 14 and 21. Clinical significance of oral solutions was statistically determined. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, 30(36%) were in group 1, 28(34%) in group 2, and 25(30%) in group 3. On day 7, there was no significant difference in terms of grades among the groups (p>0.05). On day 14, grade 2 mucositis was seen in 2(8%) patents in group 3, 5(17.9%) in group 2 and 5(16.7%) in group 1; Grade 3 mucositis was seen in 2(6.7%) patients in group 1, but none in the other two groups. On day 21, grade 3 mucositis was present in 2(8.0%) in group 3, 2(7.1%) in group 2, and 4(13.3%) in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: The use of black mulberry and calcium-phosphate solutions was found to be beneficial in preventing and treating oral mucositis.

The Effect of Inhaler Aromatherapy on Invasive Pain, Procedure Adherence, Vital Signs, and Saturation During Port Catheterization in Oncology Patients.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inhaler aromatherapy on invasive pain, procedure adherence, vital signs, and saturation during port catheter insertion among patients diagnosed with cancer. The study was conducted in a nonrandomized controlled trial. Sixty patients including 30 patients in the intervention group and 30 patients in the control group, who were subjected with the same local anesthetic protocol, were included in the study. Aromatic mixture prepared by diluting orange, chamomile, and lavender oil in 70 mL distilled water was inhaled by the intervention group during the procedure. The data of the study were collected by using questionnaire, vital follow-up form, and visual analog scale. The patients in the intervention and control groups were similar in terms of sociodemographic and disease characteristics (P > .05). It was determined that inhaler aromatherapy applied to patients in the intervention group decreased pain experienced during the procedure and facilitated the procedure adherence (P < .05); however, it did not affect vital signs and saturation (P > .05). It can be recommended to administer inhaler aromatherapy with pharmacological therapies during catheterization procedure since it decreases invasive pain and facilitates the procedure adherence.

The effect of diluted lavender oil inhalation on pain development during vascular access among patients undergoing haemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted as a randomised controlled design in order to evaluate the effect of lavender oil inhalation on pain development during vascular access among patients undergoing haemodialysis. METHODS: The study was conducted involving a total of 60 patients receiving treatment at the haemodialysis unit of a public hospital. The data of study were collected using a questionnaire and a Visual Analogue Scale. Lavender oil inhalation containing a 1:10 ratio of lavender and sweet almond oil was prepared. RESULTS: The pain mean score of the intervention group was 3.8 ±â€¯0.3 prior to the application of lavender oil inhalation and decreased to 3.0 ±â€¯0.2 following the inhalation application; whereas, the pain mean score of the control group increased from 5.4 ±â€¯0.3 to 5.6 ±â€¯0.6. CONCLUSION: It was observed that applying lavender oil inhalation to patients undergoing haemodialysis did decrease pain level experienced by patients during vascular access and caused no negative effects.

The Effect of Acupressure on Pain in Cancer Patients With Bone Metastasis: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a serious and common problem in bone metastases. For this purpose, complementary and supportive practices are also applied along with medical treatment. This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluating the effect of acupressure on pain in cancer patients with bone metastasis. METHODS: The study was conducted in a nonrandomized controlled trial with patients who applied to the radiotherapy unit of an oncology hospital. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and the Visual Analog Scale. A total of 8 acupressure sessions, which lasted for approximately 10 minutes each (with warming and acupressure periods), was applied to the intervention group. The data were analyzed by using χ2 test, paired t test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: It was determined that the pain mean score of the intervention group was 7.6 ± 1.9 before the acupressure and decreased to 6.8 ± 1.9 after the acupressure and this result was statistically significant. On the other hand, no significant difference was determined in the pain mean score of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure is applicable for cancer patients with bone metastasis by nursing staff after receiving brief training and may make a difference in relieving pain of the patients. Further well-designed trials should be conducted.

Effect of Acupressure on Nausea-Vomiting in Patients With Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acupressure, applied at P6 (Neiguan) acupuncture point, on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on patients with myeloblastic leukemia. A total of 90 patients, who received the same chemotherapy regimen and antiemetic therapy, were included in the study as 30 patients in the control group, 30 patients in the band group, and 30 patients in the pressure group. Although acupressure was applied by placing wristbands at P6 acupuncture point of both wrists in patients of the band group for totally 4 days, acupressure was applied with the use of finger pressure in patients of the pressure group for totally 4 days. No intervention was made in patients of the control group other than the routine antiemetic therapy. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and nausea-vomiting chart. Severity of nausea-vomiting was assessed by using the visual analog scale on this chart. It was determined that the acupressure band applied to the patients included in the study reduced number and severity of nausea-vomiting (P < .05); however, the acupressure applied with pressure did not affect number and severity of nausea-vomiting (P > .05). It was found that the acupressure band was effective for reducing the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Does Ramadan Fasting Affect Fatigue in Nurses?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on fatigue in nurses. The study was conducted between June 19 and July 27, 2014, with a descriptive design. This study was completed with 99 nurses working in a public hospital in the city of Gaziantep located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and the Piper Fatigue Scale. The Piper Fatigue Scale includes 4 subscale/dimensional scores and total fatigue scores. Higher scores indicate more fatigue. Statistical significance levels were set at P < .05. It was determined that the fatigue subscale and total mean scores of nurses increased in a statistically significant manner except for the affective subscale after the month of Ramadan (P < .05). In addition, it was found that the fatigue mean scores of those, who were working for 0 to 4 years, were employed in surgery units, and evaluated their health as bad, were higher (P > .05). The Ramadan fasting increased fatigue levels of nurses. Therefore, it is of vital importance to evaluate fatigue levels of nurses especially in the month of Ramadan and take the necessary precautions in terms of patient and personnel safety.

Malpractic in nursing: The experience in Turkey.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 562 nurses to find out nurses' opinions and practices concerning medical errors and to measure their tendency to make medical mistakes. Data were collected using a questionnaire and Tendency for Medical Errors Scale and evaluated using Student's t and one-way ANOVA tests. The average total score of the participating nurses was 4.4 ± 0.3. It was observed that 36.1% nurses made medical errors, and all of those nurses making mistakes have stated that they have made medication errors. It was found that nurses with higher education and working in the intensive care unit had a lower tendency, whereas those working in children's hospital had a higher tendency to make medical mistakes (P < 0.05). It might be recommended that the working conditions of nurses be improved, and nurses in general and particularly, those working with pediatric patients be given regular training to prevent drug administration errors.

Pain in cancer patients: pain assessment by patients and family caregivers and problems experienced by caregivers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pain is among the most important symptoms in terms of prevalence and a major cause of distress for cancer patients and their family caregivers. Thus, we conducted this study with the aim to compare assessment of pain among cancer patients and their caregivers and to determine the problems experienced by caregivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive design was used. This study was conducted in a chemotherapy unit and an adult oncology clinic with 220 patients diagnosed with cancer who admitted to an oncology hospital and 220 caregivers. The study data was collected using a questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS, where "0: no pain," "10: severe pain"). Statistically significant levels were set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Pain severity as assessed by patients and their caregivers was 7.1 ± 2.8 and 7.3 ± 2.4, respectively, and the most common pain-related problems in cancer patients were fatigue (p < 0.05), loss of appetite and insomnia (p > 0.05) as reported by both patients and caregivers. Compared to their caregivers, patients more frequently reported financial burden associated with pain management and negative effects of cancer pain on their work life and domestic life and family relationships, all of which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The caregivers most commonly reported fatigue (56.8%) in their role as a caregiver. CONCLUSION: Pain assessments of both patients and caregivers and seeking their input on how to manage potential pain-related problems are crucial to achieve adequate pain control. In addition, psychological distress experienced by caregivers should not be overlooked.

The effect of aromatherapy and massage administered in different ways to women with breast cancer on their symptoms and quality of life.

The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of aromatherapy and classic massage administered in various ways to breast cancer patients on their symptoms and quality of life. The sampling consisted of 280 patients. Quality of life and symptoms of the patients were evaluated once at baseline and then at week 6 and week 10 following the intervention. After intervention, the control group was observed to have lower total quality of life score and subdomain scores, whereas fragrance, massage and aromatherapy massage groups had higher scores, and the increase was more obvious particularly in the patients in the aromatherapy massage group. Similarly, whereas psychological and physical symptoms were experienced more intensely in the control group, the severity of all the symptoms experienced by the other patients decreased at week 6 and week 10 as compared with baseline especially in the group that was administered massage with aromatherapy.

Quality of life of caregivers: a cross-sectional study.

This descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life of cancer caregivers. One hundred and seventy-eight caregivers of patients who were diagnosed with cancer in Gaziantep oncology hospital participated in the study. Data were collected by using a questionnaire and quality of life scale. The scale was scored between 0 and 10, where '10' indicated the best and '0' indicated the worst level. It was determined that the majority of caregivers were young and female, the overall total score average of quality of life was 4.5 ± 1.1, and the subdomain with the lowest value was the psychological subdomain. All quality of life subdomain score averages and the overall total score averages were observed to be low in women, as well as in those who provided care for their own children, who lived in the same house with the patient and who gave care for 19-24 h daily.

Symptoms and Quality of Life: Before and after stem cell transplantation in cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted thinking that it was extremely important in terms of the disease and treatment to assess the symptoms that may be encountered before and after a stem cell transplantation and quality of life. METHODOLOGY: A prospective longitudinal design was used.The study was completed in two years on 82 patients who underwent transplantation at the bone marrow transplantation unit. Data were collected using a questionnaire, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, and the Short Form-36 quality of life scale. RESULTS: It was observed that the patients had low mean scores of physical and mental quality of life both before and after transplantation; there was an increase in the mean scores of all the symptoms and primarily of fatigue after the stem cell transplantation as compared to before it; and the mean scores of physical and mental quality of life further declined (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Quality of life of patients who underwent stem cell transplantation is adversely affected in the periods immediately before and after transplantation. Patients' quality of life worsens as the severity of symptoms experienced by patients increases.

Pain and quality of life in Turkish cancer patients.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between patients' pain severity and their self-reported quality of life, to evaluate factors that may affect pain and quality of life, and to assess patients' opinions and practices on the use of analgesics. The study was conducted with 260 cancer patients. Data were collected using a Quality of Life Scale and Visual Analog Scale questionnaire. It was found that mean scores of pain, all subdomains of quality of life, and overall mean scores of patients were at a moderate level, the lowest score in the subdomains of quality of life was in the psychological subdomain and the highest was in the spiritual subdomain. It was also found that as severity of pain experienced by patients increased, their general activities, mood, activeness, sleep, and nutrition were negatively affected. As severity of pain experienced by patients increased, their quality of life worsened. Patients were observed to have insufficient knowledge and a poor understanding with respect to the use of analgesics. In conclusion, it is very important for nurses to assess factors that can complicate pain management and to establish an effective pain control.

Evaluation of the effect of cryotherapy in preventing oral mucositis associated with chemotherapy - a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of oral cryotherapy on the development of oral mucositis related to infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with leucovorin. METHOD: This study, a randomized controlled trial with random assignments to the experimental and control groups, was conducted with cancer patients. The study included 60 patients; 30 patients in the study group were instructed to hold ice cubes in their mouth shortly before, during, and shortly after infusion of 5-FU with leucovorin, the 30 patients in the control group received routine care. Oral mucositis in the patients was evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days after chemotherapy. For analysis of data, chi-square, Fisher's tests were used; p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: In the majority of patients receiving cryotherapy, oral mucositis was not observed (Grade 0) at 7 and 14 days. Similarly, incidence of Grades 1, 2, and 3 oral mucositis in the experimental group was quite a bit lower when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). On day 21, no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups was determined based on the development of oral mucositis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that oral cryotherapy has a significant contribution to the protection of oral health by reducing mucositis score according to the WHO mucositis scale, especially on the 7th and 14th days. Nurses' awareness of how cryotherapy can affect patients and options for resolving problems will enable them to provide a higher standard of individualized care.

Relationship between hopelessness, loneliness, and perceived social support from family in Turkish patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: Life-threatening diseases such as cancer can create hopelessness and loneliness by altering the lifestyle of the patient and family. Perceived social support may facilitate coping with illness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between hopelessness, loneliness, and perceived social support from family in Turkish patients with cancer. METHODS: This study involved 188 patients with cancer. The data were collected using a questionnaire that determined the sociodemographic features, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Perceived Social Support from Family Scale. Data were evaluated with Mann-Whitney U and Kruskall-Wallis and Spearman product moment correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean scores of hopelessness (0-20), loneliness (20-80), and perceived social support from family (0-20) were 6.8 ± 0.4, 35.8 ± 0.8, and 15.2 ± 0.2, respectively. A statistically positive relationship existed between hopelessness and loneliness. A negative relationship between loneliness, hopelessness, and perceived social support from family was found (p < 0.05). Cancer patients who had family history of cancer and long disease duration had low social support from family. The hopelessness score was significantly higher in female, older, illiterate, and village-dwelling cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: In cases where the perceived social support levels were determined to be high; the cancer patients were not hopeless or lonely. We found that decreased social support was associated with increased loneliness and hopelessness. The present evaluation indicates that although the levels of perceived social support of patients from their families may be sufficient to prevent loneliness or hopelessness, these parameters need to be evaluated periodically to maintain the patients' well-being.

Effect of providing information to the patient about upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on the patient's perception, compliance and anxiety level associated with the procedure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diagnostic tests such as endoscopy are anxiety-provoking. The best intervention to reduce anxiety is to inform the patient about the procedure. Our study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of providing information on the patient's perception of endoscopy, compliance with the procedure and their anxiety level associated with the procedure. METHODS: This study included 300 patients allocated to three groups (controls, and provision of written versus verbal information). Data were collected with identification form, perception form, State/Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Visual Analogue Scale completed by the patients and the physician regarding patient compliance. Chi-square test, paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA tests were used for statistical evaluation of the data, and Tukey's HSD test was used for further analysis. RESULTS: According to the results of the study, it was noted that the patients in the verbal information group responded more accurately to the questions related to the procedure. These patients experienced less pain, breathing difficulties and regret. Furthermore, they felt better during the procedure, were more satisfied, and evaluated the procedure as less difficult (p<0.05). The mean anxiety score of the patients in the verbal information group was significantly lower than of patients in the other groups (p<0.05). Compliance with the procedure was better in these patients than in the other groups, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In light of our findings, we suggest that providing verbal information to patients is recommended due to its positive effects on the patient's perception, compliance and anxiety level associated with the procedure.

Health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison with a selected sample of healthy individuals.

In this study, we compared health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with those of a selected sample of healthy individuals. The study group comprised 530 patients (264 with RA, 149 with FS, and 117 with AS). Three hundred fifteen healthy controls were used for comparison. HRQoL scores were obtained using the Short-Form (SF)-36 Health Survey. Frequency, mean, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed; in addition to the Student's t test, one-way ANOVA test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and chi-square test. The average physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of patients in the RA, FS, and AS groups were much lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In all three patient groups, the lowest PCS score was found in the RA group, and the lowest MCS score was found in the FS group. The PCS scores of RA patients with disease-related changes in daily activities and the MCS scores of FS patients were lower (p < 0.05). In the three patient groups, the quality of life (QoL) of university graduates and those with a high level of income was good, whereas the QoL of patients who lacked information about the disease was poor. This study shows that AS, FS, and RA have a negative impact on HRQoL. Evaluating the HRQoL of patients with these conditions may provide guidance on their treatment and care.