title: Symptom monitoring and self-care practices among Filipino cancer patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess patient-reported symptoms and self-care methods used during cancer treatments, using checklists. A descriptive study was performed at the cancer institute of a national medical center in Manila on 100 patients undergoing combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, n = 37, or chemotherapy alone, n = 63. Instruments used were (a) 25-item patient-reported Therapy-Related Symptoms Checklist (TRSC), (b) Self-care Methods (with the 25 TRSC items) tool, (c) Karnofsky Scale, (d) Demographic form, and (e) Health form. The TRSC (Philippine version) Cronbach alpha = .83. The TRSC scores inversely, significantly correlated with nurse-rated Karnofsky measure of functional status (r = -0.45; P < .001)-all evidences of internal consistency reliability, construct, and concurrent validity; similar findings were found in Midwestern United States and 2 other Asian settings. Compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone, patients who had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy reported more symptoms with greater severity on several TRSC subscales. Self-care methods most used were in 2 categories: (a) diet/nutrition/lifestyle change (eg, modify food/eating habits; eat vegetables and fruits (papaya); use nutritional supplements; have naps, rest, sleep) to manage eating, oropharynx, nausea, and fatigue subscale symptoms; and (b) mind/body control (eg, prayer, praying the rosary, music) to relieve fatigue subscale, other symptoms. The TRSC (Philippine version) and Self-care Methods assess patient-reported symptoms and patients' self-care use. Oncology symptom management is enhanced by a valid clinical assessment tool.
authors.affiliation: University of the Philippines College of Nursing, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. pwilliam@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Phoebe D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Araceli O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Balabagno
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manahan
authors.forename: Ubolrat
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Piamjariyakul
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ranallo
authors.forename: Cecilia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Laurente
authors.forename: Loyda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cajucom
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guela
authors.forename: Mercedita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimbrough
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010679:Philippines; D011594:Psychometrics; D012648:Self Care; D013223:Statistics as Topic