Effect Of Pain Nursing Intervention on Self-Efficacy of Adult Patients Having Cancer and Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Chemotherapy is a vital treatment for cancer; however, it is also associated with serious complications that require standard nursing care. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of protocol of nursing care on cancer pain self-efficacy among patients receiving chemotherapy. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Menoufia University Hospital and El Helal Hospital - Menoufia Health Insurance, Egypt. Sample: A consecutive sample of 170 adult patients, diagnosed with cancer, had either planned for or received chemotherapy treatment. They were divided randomly into two equal groups, with eighty-five patients in each group. Three instruments were used in data collection; 1) A Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, 2) A 10-point horizontal visual analog pain scale, and 3) Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Results: The mean total pain intensity was 6.72±1.29 for study group and 6.67±1.62 for control group that was highly significantly decreased to 4.82± 0.902 among study group versus to 6.78±1.54 for control group during follow-up. The mean total pain self- efficacy was highly significantly improved among study group post protocol of care and during follow up compared to control group. Conclusion: The study revealed that implementing a nursing care protocol had a positive impact on reducing pain intensity and improving pain self-efficacy among patients. Recommendation: To enhance patient’s wellbeing, it is advisable to promote their participation in chemotherapy education programs, with a strong focus on pain self-efficacy to empower them in managing pain and promoting sense of control. Additionally, the developed nursing care protocol should be recommended for all cancer patients to effectively optimize pain self-efficacy outcomes.