Perceptions of caring behaviors and patient anxiety and depression in cancer patient‐staff dyads

Abstract

Cancer patient and staff perceptions of the importance of caring behaviors (Caring Assessment Instrument, CARE-Q) and patient levels of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) were determined in 19 matched patient-staff dyads. Both groups perceived comforting and anticipating behaviors to be among the most important ones. Patients considered behaviors focused on staff explaining and facilitating to be more important than did staff, whereas staff rated behaviors concerning accessibility as more important than did patients. Patient and staff perceptions of the importance of comforting behaviors were negatively associated. No significant mean value difference or correlation was found on the HADS anxiety or depression subscales. Members of matched patient-staff dyads did not agree strongly on the importance of caring behaviors and patient levels of anxiety and depression.

Oncology patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of caring

“…Studies comparing oncology nurses' and patients' perceptions of caring have found both similarities and differences (Chang, Lin, Chang, & Lin, 2005;Larsson, Widmark-Petersson, Lampic, von Essen, & Sjoden, 1998;von Essen, Burstrom, & Sjoden, 1994;WidmarkPetersson, von Essen, & Sjoden, 2000). Larsson et al found, in an inpatient oncology unit, that nurses stressed the emotional aspects of caring more than did patients and that patients rated the informational aspects of caring higher than did nurses.…”

Comments on “The importance of nurse caring behaviours as perceived by Swedish hospital patients and nursing staff”

“…Interestingly, von Essen, et al (1994), Smith and Sullivan (1997) and Christopher and Hegedus (2000) found that, in contrast to earlier studies, closely matched patient-staff dyads had a high level of agreement. They suggested this may have been due to long standing relationships where nurses knew the patients well and became attuned to behaviours important to them.…”

“…They highlighted the challenge of nurse leaders in developing countries to raise the level of care to match expectations of nurse caring behaviours. von Sjodan's (1991a, 1991b) findings led them to be amongst the first to identify the need for nurses to validate their perceptions with the patients as behaviours meant to be caring may not always be perceived as such (others included Scharf and Caley 1993, Gooding et al 1993, Von Essen et al 1994, 1995, Christopher and Hegedus 2000. It was felt nurses might then be better able to meet patients' expectations or educate them why other behaviours were important to their care.…”

“…They noted the limitation of relying upon staff perception about a hypothetical or average patient and suggested the study of more closely aligned samples of matched patient-nurse dyads where patients answered for themselves and staff responded in relation to specific patients in their care. Research proceeded then to focus specifically upon matched dyads in cancer care (von Essen et al 1994(von Essen et al , 1995, nursing home care (Smith and Sullivan 1997) and acute care (Ekstrom 1999). Larsson et al (1998) utilised a larger sample of matched dyads in cancer care in an effort to increase the representativeness of their findings.…”

Care of elderly lower limb amputees, as described in medical and nursing records

“…Other studies show that there are described differences in patients' and nurses' perceptions and definitions of caring (44)(45)(46)(109)(110)(111), but these differences are said to be both rational and expected (112). Ellis (113) states there are no tools that can measure "tender loving care".…”