Factors affecting quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy

Rectal cancer is a significant health problem for patient and results in bowel and sexual function problems. Quality of life is an important outcome measure that has to be considered when deciding treatment strategy for rectal cancer. It has become an integral part of the modern assessment of cancer treatment. This study has been conducted to assess the factors affecting quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy. A descriptive exploratory study was conducted at the surgical outpatient's clinics and Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Department in Ain Shams University Hospitals. A purposive sample of 50 adult patients from both sexes with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy were recruited for the conduction of this study, from the above mentioned setting. [1] Patients' interview questionnaire sheet were used to assess factors affecting quality of life [pre treatment course, during radiotherapy and pre surgery], [2] Quality of Life Scale that was used to assess the impact of rectal cancer on the quality of life dimension [physical, psychological, social and spiritual] for the patients during and after radiotherapy and [3] A self-report 5 day diary to identify patients' complications during radiotherapy sessions. The prominent factors affecting on quality of life were patients' age and education, disease stage, side-effects, physical condition and nature of the surgery. There were statistically significant differences between the side-effects during and after radiotherapy, added to the improvement in physical and psychological domains of quality of life post radiotherapy by one month later. There were many factors affecting on quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy [pre treatment course, during radiotherapy and pre surgery]. In addition strong positive correlation was found regarding to these factors and quality of life domains. Further studies are needed to focus on other factors affecting on quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Perception of patients for their biopsycosocial status, subjected to total hip replacement

Total hip replacement is a one of the most common surgical procedures in the world among elder patients. This surgical procedure has been effective in relieving patients' pain and improving their walking ability of this study was to assess the perception of patients subjected to total hip replacement for their biopsychosocial status. This study was conducted at the orthopedic department and clinical out patients in Eldmerdash surgical hospital which is affiliated to Ain Shams University. A purposive sample of [77 patients] adult and old age from both genders with were recruited for the conduction of this study. Tools: I] patient's interviewing questionnaire sheet to assess Socio-demographic characteristics, past and present history and patients' information about total hip replacement .2] Patients' perception assessment sheet to assess their perception as regard biopsycosocial status before and after the surgery, and 3] Neurovascular assessment sheet to evaluate the neurological and vascular integrity of the affected limb before and after the surgery. The present study revealed that more than half of the patients were female and illiterate. There was a significant difference as regards patients' positive perception as well as neurovascular assessment before and after the surgery. Significant improvement was found in the perception of patients subjected to total hip for their biopsycosocial status [physical, psychological, social and spiritual] after the surgery. Furthers study should be designed to study the impact of perception on quality of life of patients subjected to hip replacement

Efficacy of self - care practices on promoting quality of life of diabetic women with menopausal symptoms

This study aims to assess the efficacy of Self - care practices on promoting quality of life of diabetic women with menopausal symptoms. A quasi - experimental design was used. The study was carried out in diabetic clinics of Maternity Hospital and Ain Shams University Hospital, affiliated to Ain Shams University. A purposive sample included 130 diabetic women with the age above 40 years, visiting the diabetic clinic over a period of three months. Tools: 1] An interviewing questionnaire sheet [pre / post tests] to determine women's knowledge about Self - care practices during menopause, 2] Menopausal symptoms assessment sheet [pre / post tests] and 3] An observation check list [pre / post tests], to assess women's practical skills regarding to self care. There are statistically significant differences between women's knowledge and practices in pre / post tests added to significant reduction in the menopausal symptoms disturbances in post test, which reveals women's QOL improvement. Acquisition of self - care practices through training intervention were helpful in promoting QOL for diabetic women with menopausal symptoms. Training sessions about self care practices during menopause should be generalized for the diabetic women. Further studies are required to study the effect of menopausal symptoms on the women's activities of daily living

Enhancing nurses ' competency to maintain technologic devices at critical care units

The danger in critical care units technology and unplanned device removal presents a different life threatening scenario and tremendous burden for the nurses. Maintaining technologic access was the core problem identified in this study. This study aims to assess the enhancing nurses competency to maintain technologic devices at critical care units. A quasi experimental design was used. This study was carried out at critical care units of El-Demerdash Hospital [General Surgery] and Children hospital, affiliated to Ain Shams University. A purposive sample composed of 65 nurses, 25 were caring for children and rest of them 40 were caring for adults, and 45 critically ill patients [28 adult and 17 children] added to 22 physician from the above mentioned settings. Tools: 1] Self administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge [pre/post tests], 2] An observation checklist to assess nurses practice [pre/post tests], 3] Patients assessment sheet [pre/post tests], and 4] Opinnionair sheet for physicians and nurses [pre test]. There are statistically significant differences between nurses' knowledge and practice in pre/post tests regarding to technologic devices maintenance at critical care units, added to significant reduction in the percentage of removing technologic devices among the studied patients in post tests. Enhancing nurses' competency through training program was helpful to maintain technologic devices at critical care units . Educational program should be held periodically for critical care nurses about technologic device maintenance. Further studies should be done to assess the long term effects of such program on patient's quality of life at the critical care units

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: effect of intervention guidelines on knowledge and practices of patients with chronic wounds

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy [HBOT] is an important adjunct in the management of wound problems, which exist in chronic oxygen deficiency and in which the local oxygen tension is below optimal of healing. This study aims to evaluate the effect of HBOT intervention guidelines on knowledge and practices of patients with chronic wounds. A quasi experimental design was used. This study was conducted at the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit, affiliated to Naser Institute Hospital. A purposive sample included 40 adult patients with chronic wounds [Diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers]. 1] Patients' interviewing questionnaire sheet to assess patients' knowledge [pre/post tests], 2] An observation checklist to evaluate patient's practices [pre/post tests], 3] Anxiety Rating Scale to determine patients' anxiety level [pre/post tests], 4] Developed guidelines, 5] Patient condition assessment: wound symptoms chart to assess symptoms experienced by the patients, and wound assessment parameter scoring tool to assess wound healing [pre/post treatment]. There is a lack of knowledge and practices among the study sample. Statistically significant differences were also found between pre/post guidelines regarding to their knowledge and practices in relation to HBOT. In addition, patients had a higher level of anxiety in the pre test, while it decreased in post tests. The HBOT intervention guidelines were helpful on the improvement of knowledge and practices of the patients with chronic wounds. There is a need for sustained patients' educational sessions, HBOT should be available for all patients with chronic wounds. Further studies should be done on a large number of subjects for evidence of results and generalization

Day case cataract surgery: improving patients self-care practices

This study aims to assessing improving self care practices for patients having day case cataract surgery. An experimental design was used. This study was conducted at the outpatient clinics in Ain Shams University Hospital and Research Institute of Ophthalmology. A purposive sample included 80 adult patients having day case cataract surgery from the aforementioned settings, categorized into study group [n=40] and control group [n=40]. 1] Patients' interviewing questionnaire sheet [pre/post assessment], 2] An observation checklist [pre/ post assessment], 3] Psychometric assessment tool [pre/post assessment] and 4] Patients condition assessment sheets [post-assessment]. There are significant differences between patients' knowledge and practices in pre/post and follow-up tests regarding to cataract surgery and self-care. Significant improvement was indicated in post-test. The study group had a higher mean score than the control group. The improving in self care practices through training intervention was helpful for patients having day case cataract surgery. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of training intervention on preventing post operative complications in day case cataract surgery

Efficacy of technical nursing concern on prevention and management of pressure ulcers

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of technical nursing concern on prevention and management of pressure ulcers. A quasi-experimental design was used in the conduction of this study as a research methodology. The study was conducted in the following units [oncology, intensive care, orthopedic, neurological and bum at children hospital, Ain Shams Hospital, El-Demerdash Hospital, El-Mataria Hospital and New Children Hospital. A purposive sample included 100 pediatric nurses, 80 medical-surgical nurses, 75 child aged from 6-18 years plus 50 adult patients without pressure ulcers at admission and 50 child plus 50 adult patients having ulcers from the aforementioned settings. Different tools were used for data collection [pre/post tests]; 1] Self-administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge, 2] An observation checklist to assess nurses' practice, 3] The Braden scale for predicting risk of pressure ulcers; 4] Pressure ulcers assessment scale and 5] Pressure ulcers healing scale. The study revealed that there were highly statistically significant differences between knowledge and practice of nurses in different settings about pressure ulcers [prevention and management] in pre/ post tests. Increasing technical nursing concern through educational program had a positive effect on prevention and management of pressure ulcers. The educational programs and workshops about pressure ulcers [prevention and management] are needed. Further studies are needed to shed light on non-traditional methods of pressure ulcers management

Effect of different therapeutic measures on nocturnal leg cramps for patients with varicose veins

To assess the effect of different therapeutic measures for nocturnal leg cramps on patients with varicose veins. The study was conducted at the out-patients clinics in El-Demerdash Hospital which is affiliated to Ain Shams University. The sample included 80 adult and old age patients from both genders with varicose veins and have developed nocturnal leg cramps. Tools of data collection consisted of: 1] A pre-designed questionnaires which includes patient's demographic data, frequency of leg cramps and patients knowledge, 2] exercise record, 3] diary record, 4] symptoms development sheet, and 5] information sheet. Revealed that, more than half of the sample had 60 years of age and more. Significant differences were found between pre / last follow-up tests among the four groups about diet knowledge and exercise control. Regarding outcome measures, there were gradual improvements in the four groups in post and follow-up tests. In addition the mean difference was lower in G1 [treatment group]. Diet and exercise therapy adding to pharmacological treatment as a therapeutic measure could be used in reducing nocturnal leg cramps for patients with varicose veins. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of other therapeutic measures on preventing nocturnal leg cramps