Abstract:
This descriptive research aimed to study nurses abilities to assess and manage symptoms in advanced cancer patients and to examine the relationship between knowledge abilities and practice abilities in symptom assessment and management of the nurses in Chulabhorn Hospital. The sample consisted of 85 nurses who cared for hospitalized cancer patients. Personal data record form and the nurses abilities to assess and manage symptoms in advanced cancer patient questionnaires were used in data collection. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, Independent t-test/Mann-Whiney U test, one-way ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis H test and Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient.
The results revealed that nurses overall abilities in assessment and management pain,
constipation, nausea/vomiting, and dyspnea were in high levels, but other symptoms were in moderate levels. Knowledge and practice abilities in assessment and management of pain and constipation were in high levels, while all other symptoms were in moderate levels. The lowest mean scores of nurses abilities were found in assessment and management fatigue, anorexia, and dry mouth. Nurses personal factors were found to affect the nurses abilities. Knowledge abilities were significantly positively related to practice abilities in assessment and management symptoms at moderate to high levels. The results recommend for development of nurses ability and a nursing system for assessment and management symptoms in advanced cancer patients.