Congress Abstracts 2003

63

AN EVALUATION OF A STRUCTURED CHEMOTHERAPY TEACHING PROGRAM IN AN AMBULATORY SETTING. Chow Ying Leng, RN, ONC, BN, Teo Catherine, RN, Adv Dip (Onco), BN, Emily Ang, RN, ONC, BN, MN, and Cheang Grace, RN, Adv Dip (Onco), BN, The Cancer Institute at National University Hospital, National Healthcare, Singapore.

Introduction: With the increasing incidence of cancer and the moving trend of cancer treatment to the ambulatory setting, patient education on coping with the side effects of chemotherapy posed a challenge for oncology nurses. A structured chemotherapy-teaching program was introduced for all patients receiving chemotherapy in an ambulatory cancer clinic. It is targeted to empower patients and their caregivers to cope with the side effects of chemotherapy at home.

Purpose of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of the structured chemotherapy-teaching program.

Criteria: Patients who have undergone the structured chemotherapy-teaching program and had completed at least two cycles of chemotherapy.

Methodology: A set of structured questions measuring patients’ satisfaction with the chemotherapy-teaching program was developed. A number of 38 participants were selected from a total of 100 participants using simple random sampling method.

The data was collected via a telephone interview using the structured questionnaires.

Results: Of the patients (n = 38) that were interviewed, 87% (n = 33) mentioned that the information given to them was adequate. For this group of patients, 42% (n = 25) reported that the program had prepared them for the chemotherapy experience. 40% (n = 23) mentioned that it empowered them to manage the side effects, and 16% (n = 9) reported that it reduced their anxiety. The remaining 13% (n = 5) of all the patients that were interviewed found that they could not recall the information and desired more information on diet.

Discussion and Conclusion: From the study, the teaching program has adequately prepared patients to cope with their chemotherapy experience. However, it should be an ongoing process for patients who could not recall what they were taught.