Physical symptoms, Hope and Family Support of Cancer Patients in the General Hospitals and Long-term Care Hospitals

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to compare reported physical symptoms, hope and family support of cancer patients between general hospitals and long-term care hospitals. Methods: Subjects were 175 patients diagnosed with cancers from two general hospitals and six long-term care hospitals located in G city. Subjects completed a questionnaire with questions about general characteristics and questions about the disease, physical symptoms, hope and family support. Data was collected from February to April and the data were analyzed using an independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The subjects in long-term care hospitals showed higher percentage in pain, nausea, fatigue, sleep disorder, and change in appearance. There was a significant difference in family support between two groups. A significant positive correlation was found between hope and family support in subjects in general and long-term care hospitals. Conclusion: Significant differences were found in some physical symptoms and family support between cancer patients in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals. Thus, nurses in long-term care hospitals need provide care suitable for the characteristics of cancer patients in long-term care hospitals.

Biopsychosocial correlates of hope in Asian patients with cancer: a systematic review

“…The associations with age, gender, religion and race were less consistent. Significant associations were reported in only 6 of 14 studies; age was negatively associated with hope 52 55 62 and positively correlated with hopelessness. 36 37 53 Of the 10 studies that examined religion, 4 studies reported significant associations; religious participation was associated with higher hope 41 49 55 and lower hopelessness.…”

“…The majority of the studies (N=31) were conducted in East Asia, with 3 from mainland China, 46 53 54 2 from Hong Kong, 35 39 11 from Taiwan, 15 41 51 52 55–61 8 from Korea 42–44 48 49 62–64 and 7 from Japan. 36–38 40 45 50 65 Only one study was conducted in Southeast Asia (Malaysia).…”

“…Education, employment and economic status were more consistently associated with hope and hopelessness. Twelve studies examined education, with significant associations reported in 10 studies; education was positively correlated with hope 41 42 52 58 60 62 and negatively associated with hopelessness. 37 38 47 53 Six of 10 studies reported significant associations between employment status and hope; patients who were employed had higher hope 42 52 58 60 and lower hopelessness.…”

“…47 Of the three studies examining gender, only one study reported gender to be a significant factor; women had significantly higher levels of hope than men in a long-term care hospital while no significant results were found for patients in a general hospital. 62 …”

“…Cancer stage, physical condition and symptoms were consistently associated with hope and hopelessness. Eight of 12 studies examining cancer stage reported significant associations; hope was associated with early stage 41 62 and localised, non-metastatic cancer, 55 while state and trait hopelessness were associated with advanced cancer stages. 36–38 47 53 Physical condition was a significant factor reported in 8 of 11 studies; these indicated hope with better physical health and functioning, 35 49 better performance status 15 and lower interference with functioning, 55 61 and hopelessness with poorer performance status.…”