Effect of Palliative Care Protocol on Cancer Patients' Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is specialized medical care for advanced cancer patients which focus on improving quality of life and patients' satisfaction by reducing their pain. Aim of study: Was to evaluate the effect of palliative care protocol on cancer patients' outcomes. Design: A Quasi-Experimental research design was utilized to conduct the study. Setting: This study was conducted at outpatient palliative care clinic and inpatient oncology unit in Benha University Hospital and National Cancer Institute in Cairo. Subjects: Convenient sample of 100 adult cancer patients of both sexes were recruited. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used to collect data included; I: Patients' assessment questionnaire regarding to their demographic characteristics, medical history and knowledge. II: Pain assessment. III: Patient's satisfaction. Results: There were high statistically significant improvements in patients' knowledge on 2nd and 4th week post palliative care protocol intervention about cancer and palliative care. Also, the pain intensity of the studied patients reduced on 2nd and 4 th week post palliative care protocol intervention with high statistically significant differences in their behavior and satisfaction. Conclusion: Implementation of palliative care protocol for cancer patients had improved their health outcomes with significant improvement in their level of knowledge, satisfaction and pain. Recommendations: Applying ongoing a palliative nursing intervention among cancer patients to help them manage pain and reduce symptoms.