Communication and Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

• Main Authors: Mei-Hui Chen, 陳美慧
• Other Authors: Pi-Chen Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/32617946727047376264

碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 護理學研究所 === 94 === Abstract Oral cavity cancer and laryngeal cancer are two major head and neck cancers in Taiwan. The impacts of surgery and disease on head and neck areas may influence patients’ communication. However, there is little research to examine this issue in Taiwan. Therefore, the purposes of the cross-sectional description correlation study are to examine the level of communication and changes of quality of life in head and neck cancer patients receiving surgery. A total of 63 subjects were recruited from a medical center in Taipei. We interviewed patients to assess patients’ background information, level of communication ability, self-evaluation of experience after laryngeal/ oral cancers (SECEL), and quality of life (measured by University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL). The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The average age of the patients was 56.9 years. Majority of subjects were oral cavity cancer. In general, these patients perceived good ability and experience in communication were good. However, the results showed that patients had relatively difficulties to communicate in crowded or noisy places. Disability of chewing is the most important factor to influence patients’ quality of life. Types of surgery, time since treatment, type of communication, level of communication ability and the self-evaluation of experience of communication were found to be significantly associated to patients’ quality of life. The results of this study showed that the environment and patients’ attitudes toward communication can affect learning of communication. Nursing staff and family members should help patients to build a quieter environment, encourage patients to learning how to communicate well after surgery, and to enhance the ability of chewing or change of food preparation to improve their quality of life.