Patients’ bowel symptom experiences and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer
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Date
2014-07-12
Authors
Landers, Margaret
McCarthy, Geraldine
Livingstone, Vicki
Savage, Eileen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Published Version
Abstract
Aims and objectives: To investigate patients’ bowel symptom experiences and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer and the relationship between bowel symptom experiences and the self-care strategies used. Background: Earlier diagnosis of rectal cancer allows for less invasive surgical treatments such as sphincter-saving procedures to be performed. Although a permanent stoma is generally not required, patients experience changes in bowel function following this surgery. However, limited research exists on patients’ bowel symptom experiences and the self-care strategies used to manage symptoms following sphincter-saving surgery of rectal cancer. Design: Quantitative descriptive correlational. Methods: A convenience sample of 143 patients aged 30 to over 70 years was used. Data were collected (April 2010–December 2010) using the Illness Perception Questionnaires, the Difficulties of Life Scale and a researcher developed Self-care Strategy Measure. The research was underpinned by the Symptom Management Theory. Findings: Relating to the four most effective self-care strategies used respondents reporting more bowel symptom were more likely to use the self-care strategy proximity/knowing the location of a toilet at all times. Females, respondents with high timeline cyclical scores and respondents with high physiological responses scores were more likely to use protective clothing. Respondents reporting more bowel symptom and with high social responses scores were more likely to use bowel medication. Females were more likely to wear incontinence pads. Conclusion: This research provides insights into the daily bowel symptom experiences of patients following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. It demonstrates the range of self-care strategies that individuals use to manage their bowel symptoms and the self-care-strategies that were most effective for them. Relevance to clinical practice: Patients should be encouraged to report on-going bowel problems following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer. Supportive care for patients should be comprehensive and tailored to meet individual needs.
Description
Keywords
Bowel symptoms , Colo-rectal cancer , Self-care strategies , Sphinctersaving surgery , Symptom Management Theory
Citation
Landers, M., McCarthy, G., Livingstone, V. and Savage E. (2014) 'Patients’ bowel symptom experiences and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23, pp. 2343–2354. doi:10.1111/jocn.12516
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Copyright
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article Landers, M, McCarthy, G., Livingstone, V. and Savage E. (2014) 'Patients’ bowel symptom experiences and self-care strategies following sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23, pp. 2343–2354, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12516. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.