RESUMEN
OBJETIVO: Determinar la información que posee el paciente oncológico terminal sobre su diagnóstico, identificando las palabras utilizadas y cuantificando la conspiración de silencio. MÉTODO: Estudio analítico transversal a través de la revisión de la base de datos del equipo de soporte de cuidados paliativos donde constan los datos procedentes de la historia clínica y de una entrevista semiestructurada realizada a pacientes oncológicos terminales en una primera visita del equipo de soporte, incluyendo variables sociodemográficas y clínicas (diagnóstico oncológico, síntomas, número de síntomas, funcionalidad, calidad de vida y palabras utilizadas para la información). RESULTADOS: De una muestra final compuesta por 723 registros, el 77,87% (IC 95%: 74,70-80,74) presentó información sobre el diagnóstico. Las palabras más reportadas por los pacientes con las que describen los conocimientos del diagnóstico fueron: cáncer (26%), tumor (51,59%) e inflamación (10,65%). Se observó asociación entre la edad, el sexo, el diagnóstico de cáncer y el servicio de procedencia del paciente con la información sobre el diagnóstico que explicitaba. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes oncológicos terminales presentan conocimientos sobre su diagnóstico, generando que la conspiración de silencio se dé en un grado menor. Estos conocimientos son transmitidos utilizando diferentes palabras y con la presencia de eufemismos
AIM: To determine the information that terminal cancer patients have about their diagnosis, identifying key words used, and quantifying the conspiracy of silence. METHOD: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted by reviewing the hospice support team data base which contains the medical history and a semi-structured interview with terminal cancer patients in the first visit to the hospice. Demographic and socioeconomic data was collected, as well as relevant clinical information (diagnosis, prevalent symptoms, number of symptoms, patient functionality, QoL, information given, and words used). RESULTS: Out of total of sample of 723 records, 77.87% (95% CI: 74.70-80.74) of the patients were properly informed about their diagnosis. The most used words were cancer in 26% of the patients, tumour in 51.59%, and for the remaining 10.65%, the word inflammation was used. Statistically significant differences of information were found between sexes, age, types of cancer, and hospital ward. CONCLUSIONS: Terminal cancer patients have knowledge on their diagnosis, suggesting that the conspiracy of silence is present to a lesser extent. This knowledge is transmitted using different words and with euphemisms
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Información de Salud al Consumidor/organización & administración , Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Neoplasias/patología , Revelación de la Verdad , Atención de Enfermería/métodos , Cuidados PaliativosRESUMEN
AIM: To determine the information that terminal cancer patients have about their diagnosis, identifying key words used, and quantifying the conspiracy of silence. METHOD: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted by reviewing the hospice support team data base which contains the medical history and a semi-structured interview with terminal cancer patients in the first visit to the hospice. Demographic and socioeconomic data was collected, as well as relevant clinical information (diagnosis, prevalent symptoms, number of symptoms, patient functionality, QoL, information given, and words used). RESULTS: Out of total of sample of 723 records, 77.87% (95% CI: 74.70-80.74) of the patients were properly informed about their diagnosis. The most used words were cancer in 26% of the patients, tumour in 51.59%, and for the remaining 10.65%, the word inflammation was used. Statistically significant differences of information were found between sexes, age, types of cancer, and hospital ward. CONCLUSIONS: Terminal cancer patients have knowledge on their diagnosis, suggesting that the conspiracy of silence is present to a lesser extent. This knowledge is transmitted using different words and with euphemisms.