title: Development and application of telephone counseling services for care of patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Taiwan has increased in recent years; therefore, the effective dissemination of information related to symptom care has become especially important. Previous studies indicated that the physical and psychological status of cancer patients can be effectively improved by telephone counseling services (TCS). Thus, determining the most effective means of establishing a TCS to support the clinical practice of oncology has become a crucial goal for nursing. The purposes of this study were to analysis the content of the TCS for CRC and explore stratification of the TCS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was retrospective. A total of 850 calls were made to CRC patients in the cancer center of Southern Taiwan during the period of January 2007- December 2011. A structure questionnaire was adopted to analysis satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses provided by the TCS included information regarding nutrition, side effects resulting from chemotherapy and pain. Moreover, 28.7% of CRC patients needed advanced treatment. More than 90% satisfaction with all aspects of the calls was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TCS coulkd be shown to provide an effective means by which to expand the reach of nursing care to different times, places and patients, allowing for greater cost efficiency and more rapid service.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Center, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Taiwan E-mail : ling5966@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Wen-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jia-Ling
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Shu-Chan
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Pei-Hua
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tsung-Chih
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Wen-Tsung
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chao-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Tsao
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013689:Telephone