Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of education and counseling provided by a clinical pharmacist on outpatients cancer chemotherapy. Outcomes variables were evaluated in terms of: 1) knowledge about disease and treatment, adverse drug reaction, and self-care of patients who received chemotherapy; 2) clinical changes in the severity of adverse drug reaction and effectiveness of self-care when patients have adverse drug reaction; and 3) changes in the quality of life. The two-way mixed-design experimental study was conducted during September, 2002 to February, 2003 at Oncology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital. Forty four subjects were randomly stratified and assigned into experimental group and control group. An experimental group of 23 patients was received education and counseling while a control group of 21 patients did not. Data were collected using structured-interview and questionnaire at baseline, first, and second follow-up on received chemotherapy. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic data, cancer types, and chemotherapy treatment regimen between experimental and control group at baseline. Results indicated that providing education and counseling had significant effects in knowledge of patients (p˂0.05), especially in the part of knowledge of adverse drug reactions and self-care. The effectiveness of self-care of experimental group was higher than control group significantly (p˂0.05). However there were no significant difference in severity of adverse drug reactions and the quality of life both groups (p˃0.05). In conclusion, providing education and counseling can improve knowledge and effectiveness of self care of patient.