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Biomedical subjects

S Faithfull

Publications and source records attributed to S Faithfull.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Analysis of data over time: a difficult statistical issue.

The aim of this paper was to review the literature on time-series analysis and describe its use within the context of a nursing research project. The author utilized the method to investigate the symptoms of somnolence and fatigue that patients experienced following cranial irradiation for cancer. The need for longitudinal research in all areas of health care is a current concern. This is especially true in clinical areas where small patient numbers and palliative settings make large quantitative studies difficult. There are few studies or texts that help the practising researcher to explore data analysis over time in a way that reflects the time-series nature of these data. This raises questions of how to analyse such data. The study indicated that symptoms following radiotherapy were different from that previously described in the literature. Time-series analysis indicated a cyclical pattern that gave valuable information for planning supportive services. This paper explores some of the issues of time-series analysis and illustrates the process of analysis, exploring the benefits and disadvantages of this approach for research.

Clinical Nursing Research↗
PubMed1995

'Just grin and bear it and hope that it will go away': coping with urinary symptoms from pelvic radiotherapy.

Fifty per cent of patients with cancer are treated with radiotherapy during the course of their disease. Although side-effects have been described in studies, these are often not representative of the impact that these symptoms have on the individual. This article explores one area of radiotherapy management, that of pelvic radiotherapy in men, and describes how symptoms that patients experience during and following treatment can be a debilitating outcome of cancer therapy. At present, there is limited knowledge on how best to prevent symptoms from occurring, who is most at risk and how to manage these symptoms. Technology has advanced with accelerated regimes, conformal planning and new radiotherapy treatments. Yet still we are no further forward in dealing with toxicity from treatment. The focus of research has been on developing new cures and only now are questions being raised about the quality of life of patients having radiotherapy treatment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

The concept of cure in cancer care.

The concept of cure is often used in health care practices without thought to the social, cultural and psychological implications of its meaning. Frequently measured in terms of years of disease-free survival, this measure is inadequate in evaluating treatment. Iatrogenic toxicities and illness implications may linger for many months or years after a person experiences cancer. The subcultural perspectives of cure for clinicians may be very different. Historically, the clinician's concept of cure has been the focus and reported outcome of cancer treatment and research. A more dynamic view is encouraged in exploring this concept in relation to the outcomes of nursing practice.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1991

Patients' experiences following cranial radiotherapy: a study of the somnolence syndrome.

The aim of this study was to establish whether somnolence syndrome existed in adults by exploring their experiences after receiving cranial radiotherapy. Somnolence syndrome is described as excessive sleep, drowsiness, lethargy and anorexia and was found to occur in these patients. A description of the phenomenon was drawn from triangulation of the data. For 6 weeks following radiotherapy, the participants completed a diary consisting of two elements, a quantitative visual analogue scale and an open diary. This was followed by a qualitative semi-structured interview. Patients experienced sleepiness which they described as 'exhausted doing nothing' and that any activity was a 'struggle'. Some individuals described sensory changes, deafness and an increase in leg and arm weakness. These experiences presented a series of unexpected changes in their health which resulted in fear of treatment failure and disease recurrence. The study suggests that more information should be provided for patients on the side-effects that occur after radiotherapy has finished. Somnolence syndrome presented for the participants an experience which is not adequately described in previous literature. The nurse has an important role in providing information to prepare patients for their experience and more knowledge about this phenomenon is required for these patients to be informed adequately.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oncology: chemotherapy for elderly people.

Elderly people form a large proportion of cancer patients. This has implications for cancer care, in that age is a substantial risk factor in developing cancer. In spite of efforts to reduce cancer mortality through health education and screening, cancer rates are likely to increase in proportion to the ageing population. It has been suggested that health care professionals generally view elderly people in a negative fashion, which influences the care that these individuals receive. At present, there is a scarcity of information on the nature of cancer in elderly people, their tolerance to cytotoxic treatment, and specific age-related problems. Knowledge in all these areas remains fragmented and the research data conflicting. The nurse plays an important role in assessing and monitoring the impact of cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment. It is, therefore, imperative for cancer nurses to develop specialist knowledge in this area to enable them to understand the effect cytotoxic chemotherapy treatments have on elderly people.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nurse prescribing by protocol.

Taking their lead from patients' needs, innovative practitioners are coming to new prescribing arrangements that are free from past constraints. One such innovation involves nurses making decisions to give a drug according to a predetermined criteria with the support of a medical practitioner. This paper shows how a carefully organised system of administering drugs against protocol can work and how it is proving beneficial to patients.

Clinical Protocols↗