Τhe Investigation of Nurses and Cancer Patients Perception about Cancer Patients Quality of Life

Abstract

Introduction: Quality of life is a subjective multidimensional concept is influenced by many factors. Nurses and patients have different perceptions of patients' quality of life. Purpose: It was to investigate the differences between oncology nurses’ and cancer patients’ perceptions about the patients’ quality of life and the factors that influence perceptions. Material and Method: The sample of the study consisted of 50 pairs of nurses/patients from 2 large hospitals in a large city in Northern Greece. The questionnaire distributed to nurses included demographic data as well as the Greek version of the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire. The patient questionnaire consisted of clinical and demographic characteristics as well as the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of patients and nurses in the following dimensions: physical [t (49)=3.66, p=0.001], psychological [t (49)=4.26, p<0.001] and environmental [t (49)=3.08, p=0.003]. Nurses rated their patients' quality of life lower than their patients. Secondary education nurses had a greater difference in quality of life scores from patients compared to higher education nurses in social relationships dimension (U=168.00, p=0.01). Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the time the questionnaire was completed by the patients and the difference in the scores on physical dimension (rs=0.30, p=0.04). Conclusions: There are differences in patients 'and nurses' perceptions about patients’ quality of life. The level of education of the nurses and the time were taken to complete the questionnaire by the patients were factors that influence their perceptions.