Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore what would happen to cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when involved in a relaxation program based on a patient-nurse partnership. The research design was that of one group pretest-posttest with qualitative and quantitative data being collected at three intervals ; base line, during relaxation training and during the relaxation program period. The qualitative data was collected from the participant's thoughts on chemotherapy, illness and relaxation and the quantitative data was collected from the intensity of nausea, the discomfort of nausea and vomiting, the frequency of vomiting and use of antiemetic injections, the quantity of daily meals, and vital signs. The participants were 4 gynecology cancer patients.

The results indicated that as the 4 participants reflected on themselves through interaction with the researcher, they became aware of how rigid their ideas and attitudes were, thus helping them to become free of them. They were thus able to react more positively towards the chemotherapy and their illness. But some quantitative data remained unchanged. The results suggest it is important that patients receive chemotherapy with consent, that the interaction between patients and nurses be open, and that a relaxation program begin before the patient experiences too much discomfort. The results show that a relaxation program based on a patient-nurse partnership was an effective independent nursing intervention for improving the patient's experience during chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. The limitation of this study was the small sample. Thus more study is needed.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence nurses' intention to care for relieving cancer pain (intention to perform behavior), a relation between the intention to perform behavior and caring for relieving cancer pain, and factor that influence caring for relieving cancer pain, and to discuss relations among these factors. The data was collected, using participant observation, interview and self-report, from 40 nurses working in a cancer center and an university hospital who had more than half year of exerience in caring for patients suffering from cancer pain. The result showed as follow;

1. Nurses' intention to perform behavior was related to nurses' sense of values, or belief that “cancer pain can be relieved” and that “pain-relieving medicine should be used”.

2. The sense of values, or belief that “cancer pain can be relieved” and that “pain-relieving medicine should be used” was related to their “practical knowledge”.

3. The intention to perform behavior was related to “meticulous data collection” from their patients.

4. The “meticulous data collection” was related to their “favorable feelings” about or “expectation” of providing care.

5. The “favorable feelings” or “expectation” was related to their intention to perform behavior, and “knowledge-skill”.

6. It seemed that the “meticulous data collection” helped to enhance nurses' view for human being, a role of nusing and nursing process, which enabled them to shape their intention to perform behavior.

Abstract

This article explores the process of pattern recognition, contained within Newman's theory of health, as a nursing intervention with Japanese ryngectomees distressed long term.

The process of pattern recognition revealed four phases. Phase 1 : Participants express their concern. /Researcher shares participants' concern with them. Phase 2 : Participants see all over their life. /Researcher sences participants' pattern recognition, Phase 3 : Participants reconfirm their life, and find new way of life. /Researcher understands participants more profoundly, Phase 4 : Participants find out their new possibility, and become stable. /Researcher recognizes participants' transformation and growth.

Pattern recognition is the process of health as expanding consciousness. This nursing intervention is helpful for patients distressed long term.