Rehabilitative Nursing Intervention Protocol and Quality of Life among Patients with Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: Recently, there was an increase of lung cancer incidence in Egypt compared to other cancers; reaching about 35.7%. The high frequency was confirmed by early reports in which that tumor contributed 27.6 % of all cancers in Egypt. Purpose: to examine the effect of rehabilitative nursing intervention protocol on quality of life among patients with lung cancer. Design: A Quasi-experimental research design was used. Setting: out-patient clinic in oncology department, Menoufia university hospital, Shebin EI Kom district at Menoufia Governorate.  Sample: A purposive sample composed of 100 patients with lung cancer. They were divided into two groups 50 patients for each. A study group who received rehabilitative nursing interventions protocol (RNIPs) along with routine hospital care and control group who received routine hospital care. Study Instruments: An interviewing questionnaire related to lung cancer and functional assessment of cancer Therapy Lung, Version 4 (FACT-L v. 4) to assess quality of life. Results:  The majority of the cases were male (86%) and were working in chemical and fertilizers factories (53.5%). The majority of study group (70%) was detected as had lung cancer because of recurrent chest infection, (56%) of them had stage II at the time of diagnosis. The mean score of total QOL was 82.78±7.58 pre interventions, while was 79.13±5.62 post intervention.  Conclusion: rehabilitative nursing interventions protocol (RNIPs) play an important role in improving quality of life for patients with lung cancer. The study revealed a significant improvement in the total means score QOL as well as all QOL domains among study group than controls. Recommendation: Developing an educational unit in Oncology department for providing rehabilitative care of lung cancer patients to improve their QOL.