The construction of support system by medical team: support by telephone call or interview to the patients receiving capecitabine therapy

Abstract

This study was performed by the purpose of early detection of Hand－Foot Syndrome (HFS) in patients receiving capecitabine therapy. Ten patients receiving chemotherapy with capecitabine after resection of colon cancer were included in this study. Surgeons decided the reduction or suspension of capecitabine when adverse effects were found. Pharmacists instructed the patients of the way of intake and side effects. Nurses instructed the patients how to make skin care with brochure and DVD. We called to or made an interview to the patients once a week in the first eight weeks of administration by evaluating the symptoms of HFS. Finally, a questionnaire was taken to evaluate the degree patients’ satisfaction. All of the ten patients continued the skin care in the study. HFS above grade 2 appeared in three cases, and early decision of reduction or suspension of capecitabine was achieved as the result of support by telephone call or interview. Support by either telephone call or interview by nurses in the medical team of chemotherapy can contribute to the completion of chemotherapy by capecitabine by detecting the HFS in the early stage which leads to the early decision of reduction or suspension and by reduce the anxiety of the patients. We also suggest the necessity of the construction of individualized support system to the patients in the future.