Effect of Nursing Teaching Protocol on Patient Reported Outcomes among Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization

Abstract

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization is an effective therapy for liver malignancies that cannot be cured. Aim: Evaluate effect of nursing teaching protocol on patient-reported outcomes among hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design (study/ control). Sample: A purposeful sample of 60 patients of both sexes with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization, Patients were divided into two equal groups at random, 30 patients for each group. Setting: Interventional Radiology department, tropical Medicine& Gastroenterology department, and outpatient clinic at El - Rajhi liver Hospital, Assiut University. Tools: Demographic and Health related data Questionnaire, Occurrence and degree of common symptoms assessment sheet, The Karnofsky Performance Scale, Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- for Hepatobiliary cancer patients (FACT-Hep Questionnaire). Results: Patients who received the nursing teaching protocol reported a reduction in symptoms of nausea, vomiting, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia (p-value <0.001) when compared to the control group. Following the implementation of the nursing teaching protocol, the study group's Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), satisfaction with nursing care, and quality of life scores significantly increased compared to the control group (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Nursing teaching protocol effectively minimizes symptoms, improves functional status, and raises satisfaction with the nursing care quality and quality of life in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing trans-arterial chemoembolization. Recommendations: Incorporate nursing teaching protocol about TACE in interventional radiology unit to improve patients reported outcomes.