PURPOSE
S: This study examined uncertainty and nursing need according to illness phases(phase I, II, III) in cancer patients, and investigated relationships between uncertainty and nursing need.
METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 121 adult cancer patients treated in two hospitals.
RESULTS
As for the total score, the uncertainty was not significantly different across the subgroups by illness phase. As for the subscale score, however, two sub-scales of the uncertainty were different across the subgroups. 'The unpredictability' was highest in illness phase I and II groups, while 'the lack of information' was highest in the illness phase III group. Nursing need as the total score was not significantly different across the subgroups by illness phase. However, all subscale scores of the nursing need were significantly different across the subgroups. Educational need was highest in the illness phase I group; physical and emotional needs were highest in the illness phase III group. Uncertainty and nursing need were not related to each other at any illness phase.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that nursing need and uncertainty may change across illness phases. Clinicians need to consider this pattern in caring for cancer patients.
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