Nursing care and quality of life among Jordanian patients with cancer

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life of patients with different types of cancer in Jordan and its relationship with nursing care.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory approach utilizing cross‐sectional design with a structured questionnaire, administered to patients face‐to‐face, with specific questions about demographic and health status and two standardized scales: Patients Satisfaction with Nursing Scale (NSNS), and Function of Living Index‐Cancer (FLIC) were used. The study sample comprised 156 patients with cancer who were hospitalized in two governmental hospitals in Amman and Karak and two university‐based hospitals in Amman and Irbid cities.

Findings

The sample of the study showed that the types of cancer distribution were close to the cancer distribution among the Jordanian population. The median age of the sample was 47 years with a range between 18 years and 80 years. Nearly two‐thirds of the participants perceived their current health as good. All variables in the regression equation (satisfaction with nursing care, health perception now, health in comparison with one year ago, and gender) have significantly explained a considerable amount of variance in the cancer patients' quality of life.

Research limitations/implications

Using a quantitative approach alone to measure QoL is not sufficient to reflect all dimensions of a subjective phenomenon such as QoL. The study did not differentiate between patients according to severity of cancer and type of treatment.

Practical implications

Providing proper nursing care improves cancer patients' quality of life.

Originality/value

This study stemmed from: the assessing and identifying predictors of quality of life (QoL) as perceived by patients with cancer and not by the care‐providers; and highlighting the positive effect of nursing care on QoL for cancer patients.

Citation

Ahmad, M.M., Alasad, J.A. and Nawafleh, H. (2010), "Nursing care and quality of life among Jordanian patients with cancer", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 233-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511871011061055