Chow, K.M., Chan, C.W., Chan, J.C., Choi, K.K., & Siu, K.Y. (2014). A feasibility study of a psychoeducational intervention program for gynecological cancer patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18, 385–392.
To test the feasibility of the implementation of a psychoeducational intervention program for patients with gynecologic cancer
This study consisted of a series of interventions consisting of multiple components based on a thematic counseling model for patients with newly diagnosed gynecologic cancers. Blinding was performed at randomization. Quantitative data on sexual functioning, uncertainty, quality of life, anxiety, depression, and support systems were collected at recruitment, following surgery, during hospitalization, and eight weeks following surgery. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the data analysis. The intervention consisted of four psychoeducational sessions. An individual format was used for the first three sessions and a group format was used for the last session. All intervention sessions were conducted by the researcher. The researcher also met with the control group on four occasions during the same period: at recruitment, after surgery, once in-hospital, and once via telephone four weeks following surgery during which participants were invited to attend a support group. The researcher was a registered nurse experienced in gynecologic cancer care.
Single-blinded, randomized trial with a mixed-methods design
Thirteen patients were in the intervention group and 13 were in the control group. There were no statistical differences between the populations of the two groups. The compliance rate was 69.2% in the intervention group with the greatest lack of compliance occurring during the final session. The compliance rate for the control group was 46.2%. Statistic significance regarding trends of change in the outcome variables was not obtained. There was no statistic significance in the comparison of baseline outcome variables of the two groups. There was no statistic significance of intervention effects between the two groups, except in the area of uncertainty. The inconsistency subscale showed a statistic significance between the two groups with the intervention group receiving less inconsistent information regarding their illnesses. The intervention group demonstrated better trends for improvement than the control group in all categories although there were contradictory results in the scales measuring quality of life, perceived social support, anxiety, and depression.
This patient population has healthcare needs that currently are not being met. This particular study did not show statistically significant results regarding anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sexual functioning in patients with gynecologic cancer. Further research is indicated.
Further research is indicated regarding anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sexual functioning in patients with gynecologic cancer, particularly during the postoperative period. This study showed trends for overall improvement, indicating the importance of nursing in this population. Understanding the implications of cultural differences regarding the effects of gynecologic therapies is an important nursing responsibility.