Stake-Nilsson K, Gustafsson S, Tödt K, Fransson P, Efverman A. A Study of Self-Care Practice in Routine Radiotherapy Care: Identifying Differences Between Practitioners and Non-Practitioners in Sociodemographic, Clinical, Functional, and Quality-of-Life-Related Characteristics.
Integr Cancer Ther 2022;
21:15347354221130301. [PMID:
36245274 PMCID:
PMC9575442 DOI:
10.1177/15347354221130301]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to describe self-care practice during
radiotherapy for cancer and to identify potential differences between
practitioners and non-practitioners of self-care regarding sociodemographic,
clinical, functional, and quality-of-life-related characteristics.
Methods:
In this descriptive study, 439 patients (87% response rate) undergoing
radiotherapy responded to a study questionnaire regarding self-care,
sociodemographic, clinical (eg, experienced symptoms), functional, and
quality-of-life-related characteristics.
Results:
Of the 439 patients, 189 (43%) practiced at least one self-care strategy,
while 250 (57%) did not. In total, the patients described 332 self-care
practices, resulting in 14 different categories of self-care strategies. The
5 most common indicators of practicing self-care were fatigue, general
wellbeing, psychological symptoms, nausea, vomiting and improving physical
condition. The 5 most common self-care strategies were physical activity,
increased recovery, healthy eating, distraction, and skincare. Patients who
were married, were older than 69, patients with less education than
university education, patients undergoing a combination of internal and
external radiotherapy, patients experiencing fewer than 8 symptoms, and
better quality of life, practiced self-care to a lower extent than did other
patients. Functional capacity did not differ between self-care practitioners
and non-practitioners.
Conclusion and Implications for Practice:
Of the patients undergoing radiotherapy, slightly less than half practiced
self-care during an ordinary week of radiotherapy. Because older and
less-educated patients were less likely to practice self-care, cancer care
practitioners should consider paying particular attention to helping such
patients with their self-care practice.
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