Cancer nursing
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Telephone intervention and quality of life in patients with breast cancer.
The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to examine the effectiveness of a telephone support intervention 1 week after surgery on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with breast cancer. The sample consisted of 228 patients with breast cancer allocated to an intervention group (n = 120) and control group (n = 108). The data were collected using Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-Cancer Version (QLI-CV) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). ⋯ The QOL in patients with breast cancer was better in subscales of body image, future perspective, and postoperative side effects. The intervention group showed significantly better body image; they worried less about the future and had less postoperative side effects than the control group did. These results may help in discussing QOL issues and should be considered when planning and implementing interventions for patients with breast cancer.
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Family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) is an important indicator for end-of-life care, but appropriate assessment tools are unavailable in Taiwan. This correlational study therefore tested the psychometric properties of the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer Mandarin version (CQOLC-M) in 359 dyads of cancer patients with terminal illness and their family caregivers from 5 teaching hospitals throughout Taiwan. Caregivers' QOL, spiritual well-being, social support, pain intensity, and economic situation were assessed using the CQOLC-M and 4 established scales. ⋯ We suggest removing 4 items with factor loading of less than 0.4. Since caregivers' QOL depends on patients' and caregivers' physical dimensions, we recommend adding physical-related items to the CQOLC-M. Clinicians can improve caregivers' QOL not only by maintaining their health, social support, and spirituality but also by better managing the pain of patients with terminal illness.