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Nurses' recognition of the mental state of cancer patients and their own stress management ― a study of Japanese cancer‐care nurses
Author(s) -
Kaneko Mariko,
Ryu Shuhei,
Nishida Hiroshi,
Tamasato Kumi,
Shimodaira Yuiko,
Nishimura Katsuji,
Kume Miyoko
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3191
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , anger , mental health , depression (economics) , cancer , likert scale , family medicine , burnout , stress management , nursing , psychiatry , clinical psychology , psychology , developmental psychology , economics , macroeconomics
Objective The primary aim of this study was to describe Japanese oncology nurses' self‐reported ability to assess and care for cancer patients' mental health. A secondary aim was to describe nurses' self‐reported stress levels and need for stress management related to caring for oncology patients. Methods This cross‐sectional questionnaire study was conducted from September to November 2010 among cancer‐care nurses participating in mental healthcare training. The questionnaire asked about assessment of patient anxiety, depression, delirium, anger, and acceptance, and included four statements about work‐related stress. A 4‐point Likert scale was used for responses. Results The 88 participants (86 women) ranged in age from the 20s to the 50s, with the greatest number in their 30s (47.2%, n = 42). More than 50% of nurses were very concerned about assessing cancer patient anxiety and depression; approximately 20% were extremely concerned about caring for depression and anger in patients. Overall, 83.2% ( n = 74) of cancer‐care nurses felt distressed over their occupation, only 19.1% ( n = 17) stated that they were controlling their stress, and over half indicated a need for stress‐management programs. Conclusions Nurses perceived that assessments of and care for the mental state of cancer patients were inadequate. Cancer‐care nurses need training in assessing and caring for the mental state of cancer patients, as well as stress management training programs for themselves. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.