Professional nurses' role in palliative care and quality of life of cancer patients in Davao City

Abstract

The nurse's role in rendering palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for older people living with life-threatening illnesses and their families by addressing their physical, psychological, social, legal and spiritual problems (WHO, 2012). The study mainly describes the different professional roles of nurses, the quality of life among cancer patients and determine the relationship between professional nurses' role and their quality of life.. This study used the descriptive correlation research design, which involves a collection of data for the purpose of answering questions. There were 56 respondents of the study who willingly participate from different hospitals. In addition, the criterion of selecting respondents is a random set of patient who is eighteen (18) years and above, regardless of any type of cancer they are diagnosed with. After collating, the findings of the study were the following: first, the extent of the professional nurses' role in palliative care in terms of being a nurse advocate, counselor, teacher and collaborative role was excellent. Second, in terms of being healthcare provider the patients rated it as very good. Third, the quality of life among cancer patients in terms of other concerns was very good. Fourth, the patients perceived in terms of social and functional well-being was good. In terms of emotional well-being, the patients' rate was poor. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant difference in the professional nurses' role in terms of age, economic status and type of cancer. However, there is significant difference between quality of life among cancer patients when grouped according to age, civil status, and economic status. Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected. However, the study revealed no significant difference in professional nurses' role in terms of gender and marital status. Therefore, there is no significant difference in quality of life when grouped according to gender and type of cancer. Thus, the null hypothesis is accepted. The study revealed significant relationship between the professional nurses' role in palliative care as perceived by cancer patients and their quality of life Davao City. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected. The following recommendations include enhancement of communication skills, patient counseling, collaboration role expansion, patient education about chemotherapy drug side effects, and regular meeting and evaluation of oncology nurses.