2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-P2.23. Counseling & Rehabilitation of Lung-Cancer Sufferers by Nursing Personnel

Pdf Summary

A project was conducted in Asia to provide counseling and rehabilitation services to cancer patients in rural areas. The project aimed to train nurses to offer cost-effective support and assistance. The team consisted of six nurses trained in counseling and pain management by physicians and psychiatrists. They worked with traditional faith-healers and community leaders to gain community acceptance and involvement. The nurses provided physical comfort to patients and improved relationships with family members. They also helped prepare terminal cancer patients and their families for death with dignity. Pain management and breaking bad news were identified as the most difficult tasks. The project enrolled 114 patients through community outreach programs and collected feedback through a questionnaire. Counseling and nursing care received a positive response from 90% of patients, with 87% willing to motivate fellow cancer patients to participate in supportive care programs. Some patients even became active facilitators in cancer care workshops. However, pain management emerged as a serious issue affecting the quality of life for colorectal cancer patients. The project concluded that if resources for lung cancer care were made available to oncology nurses, NGOs could provide effective counseling and rehabilitation for lung cancer patients. The project recommended improved access to specialized training and continued medical education for NGOs working in cancer care. While the project had limitations due to limited resources, the researchers suggested collaborating with other NGOs for a larger effort. These recommendations are most suitable for resource-poor settings with guidance from senior experts in the field.

Asset Subtitle

S Pal

Meta Tag

Speaker S Pal

Topic Multidisciplinary Care: Nursing & Allied Health

Keywords

Asia

counseling

rehabilitation services

cancer patients

nurses

pain management

terminal cancer patients

community outreach programs

NGOs

lung cancer care