Effect of Palliative Care Program on Quality of Life for Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Gerontological Nursing- Faculty of Nursing -Mansoura University – Egypt.

2 Lecturer of Gerontological Nursing- Faculty of Nursing - Mansoura University – Egypt

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is growing especially in elderly, and
adversely affects quality of life (QOL). The increased access to palliative care services will be
helpful for the elderly population. Aim: Determine the effect of palliative care program on the
quality of life for hepatocellular carcinoma of elderly Patients. Design: the researcher used quasi-
experimental research design. Setting: outpatient clinics at Gastrointestinal Surgery Center (GISC)
hepatology unit affiliated to Mansoura University, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. Subjects: The
study subjects included a random purposive sampling of 72 HCC elderly patients of both sex
diagnosed at least 6 months. Tools: Data collection is done by two tools namely Patients' interview
schedule sheet (elderly Demographic and Health Relevant Characteristics) and Functional
Assessment of Cancer Therapy- For elderly patients with Hepatobiliary cancer (FACT-Hep)
Version4: Results: the age of the studied participants ranged from 60 to above 70 years. The elderly
patient in study group total quality of life scores increased significantly in post one and post three
follow up after implementation of palliative care program (P=0.000), while no improvement was
observed in the control group. Conclusion: the QOL of elderly patients with HCC is improved by
implementation of palliative care program. Recommendation: distribution of developed illustrated
palliative care program booklet to all elderly patients and their families at Mansoura University
Hospitals and Centers should be done

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 12, Issue 1
March 2021
Pages 722-734

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics