The Effectiveness of Learning Program in Caring of Patients with Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy of Professional Nurses

Abstract

This Quasi-experimental one group pre–posttest design was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the learning program in caring of patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy of professional nurses. Fourth-three registered nurse of internal ward with eligible criteria and 30 medical records of cancer patients were sampled. The learning program in caring of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was developed. Data were collected using 1) nurses’ knowledge in caring of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy questionnaire 2) nursing practice questionnaire 3) nursing record tracking and 4) nurses' satisfaction on learning program questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics—frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as dependent t-test.

The results showed that mean score of nurses’ knowledge after attending the learning program was significantly higher than the before (p=.001). The mean score of nursing practice after attending the program for one month was significantly less than immediately attending program (p=.001). Incidence of hypersensitivity was found (6.7%). After attending the program, most nursing records were shown as completeness over 80%. Especially, signing of consent for chemotherapy after getting information, recording vital sign, and assessing falling scale at least one time in-between chemotherapy administration were demonstrated 100%. Additionally, the nurses’ satisfaction was found in a high level. The results were reflected that knowledge training for the professional nurses may be necessary to enhance ability in caring for the cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Additionally, the guideline to supervise and monitor nursing practice should be developed to sustain the nursing practice.