The relationship between moral distress, individual and professional values in oncology nurses: A structural equation study.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between moral distress, individual and professional values in oncology nurses. METHODS: Employing structural equation modeling, a descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 116 oncology nurses. Data were collected using the Moral Distress Scale-Revised Adult Nurses, the Nursing Professional Values Scale, and the Values Scale. RESULTS: The mean moral distress frequency was evaluated as low (1.6 ± 0.7) and the intensity as moderate (1.9 ± 0.8). Both the Nursing Professional Values Scale and Values Scale subdimension mean scores were at levels evaluated as high. There was no specific value that stood out from the others. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that individual values were found to have a direct and negative significant effect on moral distress intensity (ß = -0.70, p < 0.01) and frequency (ß = -0.58, p <0.01) and professional values had a direct positive and significant effect on moral distress intensity (ß = 0.37, p < 0.05) and frequency (ß = 0.25, p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: It is believed that more national and international studies need to be conducted to examine the relationship between the moral distress concept and values. While individual values were found to have a direct and negative significant effect on moral distress, professional values had a direct positive and significant effect on moral distress.

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 effects of Kinesio taping and breathing exercises on pain management after gynaecological abdominal surgery: A randomized controlled study.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping and breathing exercises on pain management after gynaecological abdominal surgery. METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted with 132 participants at a public hospital between June 2017 and 2018. The Kinesio taping method was applied once, immediately after the surgery during the hospital stay and breathing exercises were performed three times a day for 30 min on the first, second and third post-operative days. RESULTS: The median age of the women was 47 years. The mean body mass index was 27.6 ± 5.0 kg/m2 . When the intervention and control groups were compared, the level of women's pain in the Kinesio taping group was significantly reduced. There was also a statistically significant difference in terms of the passage of gas and defecation time and wound healing in groups with Kinesio taping. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping has been shown to be an effective intervention in the management of acute pain after surgery. The results of this study suggest that future studies may be indicated to study taping in other surgical conditions.

Palliative care needs of patients with gynaecologic cancer.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify gynaecologic cancer patients' palliative care needs using the three levels of needs questionnaire. BACKGROUND: Measuring both the burden of symptoms and patient-reported palliative care needs is valuable to improve cancer care. Data representing the palliative care needs of cancer patients in Turkey remain limited. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study. METHODS: A total of 134 cancer patients were included in the study at an oncology hospital in Turkey. A data collection form, a short-form medical outcomes health survey, and the three levels of needs questionnaire were used to collect data. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 59 ± 8·76, of 69·4% were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 52·2% had stage-3-4 cancer. Of patients, 69·3% had no desire for sexual intimacy, 33·5% expressed feeling as though they burden their families and 28·4% feel lonely at some level. The most prevalent problems were tiredness, to feel depressed and problems performing physical activities. The most frequent unmet needs were tiredness (60·5%), feel depressed (47·4%) and lack of appetite (38·5%). CONCLUSIONS: Gynaecologic cancer patients have relatively high prevalence of symptoms and unmet palliative care needs. Health professions mostly were unable to recognise and properly manage tiredness, depression as well as lack of appetite as an integral part of quality cancer care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses trained in palliative care are needed to evaluate and meet cancer patients' needs regularly to improve quality of palliative care. Nurses should examine the underlying reasons for most prevalent problems and give nursing care accordingly.

Evaluation of the quality of life of caregivers in gynecological cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the general quality of life and the quality-of-life subdimensions of family members caring for gynecological cancer patients. This descriptive study was conducted at a training and research hospital in Turkey. A total of 168 caregivers who were family members were included in the study sample. The data collection form and the Caregiver Quality-of-Life Index Cancer Scale were used to collect data. The mean age of family caregivers was 42.6 ± 12.30 and 81% were female. The caregivers had the most problem with coping with the depressive symptoms and the nausea of the patient and with medication use for the patient. Information on care was requested by 35.7%, whereas 70% of this group felt they needed information on every subject regarding disease and its treatment. It is also found that although some factors did not influence the general quality of life of caregivers, they did have a negative effect on various areas such as burden, disruptiveness, positive adaptation, and financial concerns. Health care professions should educate patients and their caregivers who are distant relatives of patient or providing care for older patients especially on medical drug usage after discharge and management of symptoms such as nausea.