MST-School of Nursing

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Browsing MST-School of Nursing by Author "Kanathi, Rose Makena"

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    Nursing Interventions in Promoting Self-Management of Cancer Pain in Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2024-02) Kanathi, Rose Makena
    Approximately 60% of cancer patients attending outpatients’ clinics experience severe unremitting pain hence self-management of cancer pain is critical. Nurses play an important role in treatment, pain management, and promotion of self-care of patients of cancer patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate Nursing interventions in promoting self-management of cancer pain at Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County, Kenya. This was a qualitative study that utilized case study approach. Data was collected using interview guides. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit the nurses for the study as only nurses working in the oncology unit for a period of not less than six months were interviewed. The qualitative data were sorted out according to the themes that emerged from each objective. All the study participants were aware of the definition of self-management of cancer pain, based on their experiences, to be the capability of a patient in handling their pain. The respondents also agreed that self management of cancer pain was of outmost importance. It was revealed that self management of pain was crucial in not only preventing excessive use of medication but also in preventing abuse of analgesics and opioids. The participants described that the nurses’ competencies, attitudes, and skills are a key determinant in offering support to cancer patients in self-management of cancer pain. On the assistance offered by the nurses in self-management of pain, each participant reported to assist their patients differently. The main intervention nurses used in supporting cancer patients in self-management of cancer pain were a multidisciplinary approach involving all the health care providers, pharmacological counselling and patient education. The strategies that were agreed to work well were ensuring that the patients have family support, continued education, support groups and also proper follow-up. On the strategies that were not effective, the use of herbal medication was pointed out. The study concludes that in order for nurses to effectively help patients manage cancer pain, their knowledge, attitudes and expertise are crucial. The study also concludes that nurses’ interventions in self-management of cancer can help improve patient outcomes and their quality of life.