Emine Iyigun

Perceptions and experiences after radical prostatectomy in Turkish men: a descriptive qualitative study

Radical prostatectomy (RP) can significantly influence mens quality of life. Data from the Ministry of Healths Fight With Cancer Office Directorate in 2003 show that prostate cancer is third among the 10 most common types of cancer in men, with an incidence of 5.97% in the population. The objectives of this study were to define the experiences and perceptions of Turkish men who have undergone RP and to determine the views and suggestions of men who had undergone RP as to their discharge training content. Following the RP, urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) negatively affect the daily life of men. It has been determined that men need support to deal with these problems they met. Being discharged without obtaining information from the health care staff regarding home catheter care and UI and ED management causes men to experience difficulties and find it difficult to cope when faced with these problems.

Women's Breast Cancer Risk Perception and Attitudes Toward Screening Tests

This studys objective is to identify womens breast cancer risk perceptions and their attitudes and knowledge on screening tests. The cross-sectional research. Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. The population of 188 females who applied for gynecological examination. The study employed a semistructured questionnaire form. Questions such as females demographic data, attitudes based on screening tests of breast cancer, family history, perceived risk breast cancer, and questions with regard to patients’ fear of breast cancer were included in the survey. In this study, it is determined that the rates of the women, who conduct breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography at least once, are very low. The reason for not performing the BSE was declared with a rate of 50.8% as “Do not know how to perform.” Of the women 20.2% were fully acknowledged about BSE. Nearly half of the women perceived 50% or more risk of developing breast cancer, and this rate increases as they get older. The risk perception and educational status increased CBE and mammography rates and BSE knowledge positively, but because of insufficient BSE application abilities BSE rate cannot increase as expected. It is recommended that nurses put forward the initiatives in training programs to increase womens BSE abilities. In planning such an education program risk perception and information of women about breast cancer should be considered.

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Behavior and Health Beliefs of Individuals over 50 Regarding Colorectal Cancer Screening

The aim of the study was to evaluate of the knowledge, behavior and health beliefs of individuals over 50 regarding colorectal cancer screening, with a descriptive and cross-sectional design at Karabuk Life and Health Center in Turkey. A total of 160 people meeting set criteria were included in the study. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part was composed of questions on characteristics of participants and the second part of questions derived from the Champions Health Belief Model Scale. Only 15.0% of participants (n=24) had undergone a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), 11.3% (n=18) had had colonoscopy and 4.4% (n=7) had had sigmoidoscopy. Some 90.6% of the participants had low levels of risk awareness about the colorectal cancer. It was found that the average point of severity subscale of participants over 65 is higher than that of participants under 65 (p<0.05). In conclusion, because of the many barriers and health beliefs for the colorectal cancer screening program, the rate of participation in screening programs is not sufficient. Healthcare providers have important responsibilities for increasing rate of attendance in colorectal cancer screening programs.

Implementation of a clinical pathway in breast cancer patients undergoing breast surgery

PURPOSE The present study was conducted to develop a clinical pathway for breast cancer patients undergoing breast surgery. We also aimed to determine the effects of this model on the (1) reduction of patient anxiety, (2) satisfaction of the patient, and (3) quality of life. METHODS The present study was conducted using a quasi-experimental nonequivalent study design. The study was applied to 69 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, who underwent surgical operations. We collected data using a questionnaire form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction, and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale. The data were analysed using percentages, the Students t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-Test, and chi-square tests. RESULTS This study showed that a comprehensive breast surgery clinical pathway significantly improved the quality of life and patient treatment satisfaction and reduced anxiety, even though it did not affect the hospitalization time. According to the level of state anxiety, there was not a meaningful statistical difference between groups but the anxiety level of the study group was lower than the control group and there was not a statistically meaningful difference between them in the period of pre-discharge. For quality of life, the physical, general health, vitality, social functioning, and emotional subscale averages were higher for the study group. CONCLUSION The results of the study indicate that the implementation of a clinical pathway on patients with breast surgery has a positive effect on increasing patient satisfaction, decreasing patient anxiety levels, and improving their quality of life.

Comparison of two different oxygen delivery methods in the early postoperative period: randomized trial

AIM This paper is a report of a study conducted to compare the effects of two different oxygen delivery methods on both patient peripheral oxygen saturation and patient satisfaction. BACKGROUND One of the most serious problems encountered in the early postoperative period is hypoxemia. Giving oxygen to patients in the perioperative period reduces the incidence of hypoxemia. Oxygen is generally delivered to patients through oxygen masks or nasal cannulae. Previous studies have shown that face masks and nasal cannulae are effective in the early postoperative period. METHOD A randomized trial was conducted between 2007 and 2008 with patients undergoing thyroidectomy. In the early postoperative period, 5 L/minute of oxygen was given to patients via an oxygen mask (n = 53) or nasal cannulae (n = 53). Peripheral oxygen saturation were measured by pulse oxymeter every 5 minutes for a 30-minute period. The Postoperative Nausea Vomiting Scale was used and patient satisfaction was evaluated using a 10-point scale. RESULTS Average peripheral oxygen saturation for the nasal cannulae group was statistically significant higher than that in the mask group. This difference arose from more frequent removal of the oxygen mask than the nasal cannulae by patients and healthcare professionals. Average satisfaction scores for patients in the nasal cannulae group were statistically significantly higher than those in the mask group. CONCLUSION During the early postoperative period, using nasal cannulae for patients undergoing thyroidectomy increases oxygenation.

Normal saline instillation before endotracheal suctioning: “What does the evidence say? What do the nurses think?”: Multimethod study

PURPOSE This study aimed to systematically review studies that investigated the effects of normal saline instillation before endotracheal suctioning and to determine the views of nurses concerning this procedure. METHODS This study was carried out in 2 stages as a systematic review and a descriptive study. In the first stage, the Medline and CINAHL databases were searched. The second stage of the study consisted of a survey of 65 intensive care nurses. RESULTS The systematic review identified 7 studies. Nearly all of the studies had a self-controlled clinical trial design. Normal saline instillation before endotracheal suctioning was demonstrated to decrease patient oxygenation in most studies (P < .05). However, the impact of normal saline on hemodynamics and the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia remain unclear. Most nurses (87.7%) apply normal saline instillation. CONCLUSION Although the effects of normal saline instillation on hemodynamics and pneumonia incidence remain controversial, this procedure significantly decreases the oxygenation. Therefore, the use of this procedure is not recommended. However, normal saline instillation is used frequently by nurses to manage thick and tenacious secretions in clinical practice. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of applications that may be alternatives to normal saline instillation in the management of these secretions.

Validity and Reliability of a Turkish Version of the Modified Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire for Student Nurses

This study examined the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the Modified Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire for Student Nurses (MMSQSN). After obtaining permission to adapt the MMSQSN into Turkish, the translation/back-translation method was used with expert opinions to determine content validity. Factor analysis was conducted to examine the construct validity and test–retest was performed on the questionnaire to determine reliability. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated to assess for internal consistency. Participants included 272 baccalaureate degree student nurses who took ethics lessons prior to their clinical internship. The factor analysis revealed that even though the factor structure in the original scale was the same, relevant items were categorized with similar components, and factor loads were sufficient. The correlation coefficient in the analyses of test–retest scores was .66 for the total scale (p < .05) and the Cronbach’s alpha was .73 for the total scale. The translated MMSQSN is a valid and reliable measure of ethical sensitivity in student nurses in Turkey.

Validity and reliability of Turkish version of family satisfaction in the intensive care unit

To evaluate the quality of care that is provided in intensive care units, needs and satisfaction of the patient relatives must also be considered. The aim of the study is to test the Turkish version of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU-24) Survey, which was developed by Heyland et al. This study was planned and applied as a methodological study. Survey was conducted in the intensive care units of a military education and research hospital and a medical faculty hospital, department of anaesthesia and reanimation in the capital city Ankara of Turkey. Sample of the survey was composed of 120 participants. Cronbachs alpha value for the FS-ICU-24 general internal consistency in this study was calculated as 0.95 for total scale. In this study, the Turkish version of the FS-ICU-24 was found to be reliable and valid with Turkish population.

Validity and reliability study for the NEI-VFO-39 scale in chronic ophthalmic diseases – Turkish version

Purpose:  To test the reliability and validity of National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI‐VFQ‐39) in patients with glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and age‐related macular degeneration.

Living with a malignant musculoskeletal tumor: experiences of family caregivers.

PURPOSE To describe the experiences of the family caregivers of patients with malignant musculoskeletal tumors. DESIGN AND METHODS Descriptive qualitative approach using a semi-structured interview guide. SETTING Orthopaedics Department of the Gulhane Military Medical Academy in Ankara, Turkey. A total of 11 family caregivers aged 25–62 years were recruited. RESULTS The analysis revealed 5 themes: religious attributions in terms of the cause and treatment of the tumor, the effect of malignant tumor on daily life, the tendency to think positively and constructively and find meaning through caregiving, the anxiety about the prognosis of the malignant tumor, and the support received from significant others. CONCLUSION It is important to develop effective nursing care to family caregivers of patients with malignant musculoskeletal tumor to understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual experiences in their lives.