Developing a long-term care approach to managing discomfort In colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy Cancer and Chemotherapy Ward Mukdahan Hospital.

Abstract

      This study aimed to develop a long-term care guideline to manage discomfort in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Mukdahan Hospital. This study was an action research. The sample consisted of 1) a healthcare team of 10 people and 2) 30 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the oncology and chemotherapy ward of Mukdahan Hospital who were willing to participate. The research instruments included a general questionnaire, a physical condition assessment scale for assessing the ability to perform daily living activities, a quality of life assessment scale, a satisfaction assessment scale, and an assessment scale on the feasibility of using a long-term care guideline to manage discomfort in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The study was conducted from June to December 2024, for a total of 6 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. This study compared the physical condition and quality of life of colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy using the Performance Scale (ECOG). Differences were analyzed using a dependent sample t-test.

      Results: The study found that 1) the physical condition and quality of life of the sample group after the development of the guidelines had a higher mean score. The following were statistically significant findings regarding the development of long-term care guidelines: 1) Quality of life after the development of the guidelines was significantly better than before (p < 0.05) (= 1.00, SD = 0.53; = 2.00, SD = 0.00). 2) The mean quality of life of the sample group after the development of the guidelines increased significantly compared to before the development of the guidelines (p < 0.05) (= 108.30, SD = 6.59; = 48.63, SD = 5.68). 3) The satisfaction of the sample group showed an overall mean satisfaction level of the highest (= 3.22, S.D. = 0.48). and 4) The feasibility of using long-term care guidelines to manage discomfort in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was found to be feasible for 100% of the sample group, both overall and item by item.