Developing quality of life in cervical cancer patients after receiving
radiotherapy by group process
Sureeporn Kritcharoen, Asst. Prof., D. of Obstetric-Gynecologic Nursing and Midwifery, F. of Nursing,
PSU.
Kobkaew Suwan, Nurse, Female Reproductive Clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : ksureepo@ratree.psu.ac.th
Grant : Prince of Songkla University
Published : Thai J of Nursing Research 2000, 4(3) : 265-277
Key words : quality of life, cervical cancer patients, group process
This participatory action research utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods in identi-fying the group process model for the improvement of cervical cancer patients' quality of life after receiving radiotherapy. Twenty-two subjects were selected by purposive sampling method. All of
them were cervical cancer patients who had received complete radiotherapy and came for regular follow-ups at the Female Reproductive Cancer Clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital. The qualitative data were collected by means of in-depth interviews and participatory observation during the entire period when the subjects participated in the group process organized in order to develop a group process model. The quantitative data were collected using quality of life indexes before and after the subjects participated in the group process.
It was found that the subjects were satisfied with the group process model which consisted of
1) giving advice, 2) giving consultation, 3) giving consolation and encouragement to each other,
4) being a social network, 5) introducing useful resources, and 6) giving support and help. The bene-fits the subjects received from participating in the group process were : 1) better quality of life, 2) an ability to take care of themselves, 3) an increase in self-esteem and self-value, and 4) sense of belong-ing to a social network. The analysis of the quantitative data revealed that the difference between the quality of life of the subjects before and after the group process participation was not statistically significant.
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