Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

There have been significant advances in treatment modalities of cancers. Patient survival has improved. But in a developing country like India, wellness aspect is ignored. Tertiary care hospitals are usually overburdened with patients. Therapy related queries of patients/caregivers remain unanswered. This study identifies the information gap amongst cervix cancer patients and their care givers regarding various aspects of cancer (causes, treatment and side effects). We further share experiences of our initial efforts of using an information booklet to solve therapy related issues of these patients. Problems faced by cervical cancer patients during and after treatment were noted. In depth interviews for all cases and their care givers were done. Two Focus Group Discussions were also done. The information obtained was reviewed and assembled. An information booklet (based on patient/family caregiver queries) was developed. The booklet was also circulated amongst experts (n=10) validation. The information booklet was then distributed amongst 20 cervix cancer patients undergoing treatment. Also face to face counseling using the information booklet was done. These were then followed up at 1 month of the educational intervention. A definite improvement in information level and overall wellness of the patients was seen. Also queries relating to care giving of the family caregivers were resolved.