Self-care that cancer patients receiving outpatient radiation therapy should practice

• Published in: The Journal of Radiological Nursing Society of Japan Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 3 - 12
• Main Author: Hiasa, Tomohiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Radiological Nursing Society of japan 30.06.2024; 日本放射線看護学会
• Subjects: cancer patients; radiotherapy; self-care; がん患者; セルフケア; 放射線療法
• ISSN: 2187-6460; 2433-5649
• DOI: 10.24680/rnsj.RJ-12007

The purpose of this study was to clarify the self-care that cancer patients receiving outpatient radiation therapy should practice during the treatment process. First, we created a draft 48 item self-care list that should be put into practice based on a literature review and a questionnaire survey of certified nurses. Next, the content validity of the self-care list was examined using the modified Delphi method by a total of 6 people: 3 Certified Nurse Specialists in Cancer Nursing and 3 Certified Nurses in Radiation Oncology Nursing. The examination procedure consisted of a first survey using a questionnaire, a face-to-face meeting, and a second survey using a questionnaire. As a result, 44 items were selected as representing self-care that cancer patients receiving outpatient radiation therapy should practice during the treatment process, meeting the consensus standard of I-CVI 0.78 or higher. The 44 self-care items consisted of 7 items applicable to the time of choosing treatment, 10 items covering the period from decision-making to initial irradiation, 20 items relating to the treatment period, and 7 items concerning the period after treatment. The created 44 item self-care list can be used as nursing indicators to support self-care, and help improve patients’ self-care.