Nursing - Theses

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Author: Gates, Priscilla Ruth × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2010 × Type: Masters Research thesis ×

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    A pilot study to test a novel, nurse-led intervention to enhance the general health status of survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma attending a multidisciplinary, haematology late effects clinic
    Gates, Priscilla Ruth ( 2013)
    Background: The increasing numbers of Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) survivors has raised awareness of the need to optimise long-term health outcomes and quality of life for this group of people. Objective: To develop and pilot-test the feasibility and potential of a nurse-led survivorship intervention to enhance survivors of HL awareness of health risks and adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours. Methods: A pre-test, post-test design was used. Thirty survivor participants and 30 healthy controls were recruited to the study. Data were collected using the General Health Index and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II at four time points. The intervention included: i) exploration of knowledge of health risks and lifestyle behaviours; ii) delivery of a tailored education package; iii) screening for unmet supportive care needs and iv) development and delivery of a tailored survivorship care plan. Results: Despite length of time since end of treatment a considerable profile of unmet need was identified. More than half of the survivor participants (57%) reported some level of fatigue for most of the time in the last two weeks; 47% reported feeling a lot of worry; 37% reported sleep problems; and 23% reported feeling depressed. Statistically significant improvements were seen for several domains. These included: physical activity (p=0.014); nutrition (p=0.0005); stress management (p=0.002) and health promoting lifestyle (p=0.005) from baseline to 6 months. No additional resources were required to provide the intervention as all aspects were delivered within existing resources of the haematology late effects clinic. Conclusion: The nurse-led intervention was shown to be feasible and demonstrated significant potential to improve awareness of health status and healthy lifestyle behaviours among survivors of HL. A randomised controlled trial is now needed to further test the efficacy of the intervention; determine optimal dose and the best time to deliver the intervention to prevent the levels of physical and emotional need reported by this study group, being reported by survivors of HL in the future.