Survey of nurses' assessment of cancer-related fatigue.
Fatigue is now widely recognised as a significant' problem for patients with cancer. While research effort into this subject has grown considerably in recent years, the exact mechanisms underlying fatigue remain unclear. Therefore assessing and managing this symptom can be problematic. This paper describes the findings from a survey evaluating how nurses (n = 84) in a Cancer Centre in Edinburgh currently define and assess fatigue. The results demonstrate that while the problems associated with fatigue are acknowledged, assessment tools are not widely used and the majority of nurses report that they would benefit from further education on the subject to assist in the care of patients.
Edinburgh Centre for Neuro-Oncology, Western General Hospital, Lothian University Hospital NHS Trust, Edinburgh, UK.
G
G
Knowles
D
D
Borthwick
S
S
McNamara
M
M
Miller
L
L
Leggot
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires