Nursing care given by registered nurses to cancer patients who are admitted to the hospitals of the north-west health directorate
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Date
2000
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Abstract
This study was employed to investigate how this care is given to the cancer patients in the four hospitals of the North West Health directorate, now phasing out to become the four North West Health Regions (Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto health regions)
The approach used in this research is a descriptive survey. For the purpose of collecting data two questionniares were used, one fo rcompletion by registered nurses, and one to interview cancer patients respectively, which in the latter case was done by the researcher
The questionniares to registered nurses were sent through the Directorate to the hosppital nursing managers for distribution to registered nurses, some were delivered by the researcher at the hospital managers' offices and collected in the same way
The total population of registered nurses was 70 out of which 41 (58, 6) responded. The population of patients was not calculated, but any patient admitted during the interview period and available in the wards/units was included in the study
The findings indicated that patients at these four hospitals cared for by registered nurses was not always in line with the approach of nursing process. The type of care given to these patients was found to be more generalized than individualilized. The nursing care plans of patients are of general aspects of nursing, based on generalised assessment for identification of patients' needs. In some cases, it was found that, according to the interviewing of patients, nothing was done to the patients, complaints/problems, as the specific need of the patient was not assessed and therefore not planned for
The findings also revealed that in all four hospitals there is no single registered nurse who has undergone a specialised training in oncology nursing. Therefore, registerd nurses caring for such patients, are using their knowledge gained in General Nursing science and not specific to Oncology Nursing care
The counselling process seems not to be effective. The patients seemed not to be well informed regarding their conditions and the care they received
The findings therefore, indicated a need for nurses who are caring for the cancer patients to be specifically trained under an approved curriculum in Oncology care, and an in-service training programme for those who are already caring for these patients
Description
Theses submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
master in nursing science
Keywords
Nursing, Cancer, Hospitals