No abstract

Loneliness is a significant psychosocial concern for patients with cancer, and depression may be an antecedent to loneliness. To date, no studies have directly addressed the relationship of loneliness, depression, and social support among Turkish patients with cancer and their caregivers. The emotional responses that result from a cancer diagnosis vary and may include anxiety, anger, frustration, or depression. Because of the unexpected demands and emotions thrust on them, the caregivers of patients with cancer may be just as likely to experience loneliness or depression following a cancer diagnosis. As a result, this study sought to examine that relationship among a sample of 60 patients with cancer and 60 caregivers.

Background: This study was performed to evaluate relationships between different demographic variables and hopelessness and depression in end of life Turkish cancer patients. This study was a descriptive survey with repeated measures conducted a university hospital in the city of Erzurum, in the eastern part of Turkey. The study enrolled 216 patients undergoing palliative treatment at the hospital. Materials and Methods: Data were collected using questionnaires (demographic questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Beck Depression Scale (BDS) and analyzed for demographic and disease-related variable effects on hopelessness and depression. Results: Th hopelessness score was significantly high in female, illiterate, married, and living in rural areas cancer patients. Both hopelessness and depression scores were significantly higher with longer disease duration, receiving radiotherapy treatment, and having metastatic disease. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the coexistence of the physical, psychological, and cognitive problems faced by patients with cancer. Nurses can conduct brief screening assessments to identify patients with probable distress and and psychosocial support, as well as referrals to support services.

Our research findings suggest that there is a lack of knowledge and general confusion regarding Turkish nurses perceptions and practices related to spiritual care.

The study of a planned education in patients receiving chemotherapy can alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and, thus, can increase the quality of the patients' lives. In accordance with this view, this study was conducted with the purpose of examining the effect of planned education given to patients receiving chemotherapy on their symptom control. The study was quasi-experimental. A sample of 140 patients participated, of which 70 were in the experimental group and 70 were in the control group. A patient data form and the chemotherapy symptom assessment scale (C-SAS) were used in order to collect the data. Median, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze the data. There were statistically significant decreases in the frequencies of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, feeling distressed/anxious, feeling pessimistic and unhappy, unusual fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. Also, there were statistically significant decreases in the severity of the 11 symptoms and on the discomfort levels of these symptoms. In the study, the planned education provided by the health-care providers had a positive effect on the symptom control of patients receiving chemotherapy.