A Qualitative Research to Examine Experiences of Turkish Women with Breast Cancer

Introduction

Breast cancer is a serious public health problem and one out of every 4 women diagnosed with cancer is breast cancer. Although the survival rate has increased due to advances in diagnosis and treatment, getting a cancer diagnosis is a highly stressful life event and seriously affects the lives of patients.

Objectives

Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences of women with breast cancer.

Methods

Data were gathered using semi-structured forms, in-depth interviews with 7 patients aged between 29 and 64 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and after. All interviews were tape-recorded and the themes have resulted in analyzing the content of the recorded data.

Results

It has been determined that women have difficulties in getting information from healthcare professionals, emotional supports from their partners and family members, dealing with losses in roles and femininity, and coping with intrusive thoughts. However, it has been highlighted that women have experienced some positive changes in certain areas such as deeper interpersonal relationships with others, appreciating health and life.

Conclusions

As a result of the study, it has been thought that it is important to reduce the distress level of women with breast cancer related to their needs and difficulties and to encourage their positive changes. Besides, working in cooperation with healthcare professionals responsible for their treatment will be beneficial to reduce the distress level of the women.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Effect of Adjunct Psychosocial Skills Training on Social Functioning of Schizophrenia Patients Who Get Occupational Therapy in a Community Mental Health Center: A Comparative Study

Introduction

Antipsychotic drugs are effective in relieving symptoms in the treatment of schizophrenia, but decreased social functioning is resistant to drugs. In this study, the effect of adjunct Psychosocial Skills Training (PSST) on social functioning for schizophrenia patients who receive service in the community mental health center (CMHC) was investigated.

Method

Schizophrenia patients who received routine case management and occupational therapy in CMHC (n=22), patients receiving PSST in addition to CMHC service (n=21) and patients who were followed up in the Psychotic Disorders Outpatient Clinic as control group (n=21), three groups were formed. In the initial evaluations of the participants, the sociodemographic data form was filled. Social functioning and severity of clinical symptoms were evaluated at the beginning and at end of three-month follow-up period with the Social Functionality Scale (SFS), Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

Results

At the end of the follow-up period, there was a significant decrease in PANSS total scores, a significant increase in PSP and SFS total scores in the last test evaluations of the study groups. There was not any statistically significant change in the control group. The decrease in PANSS total score in PSST group is significantly higher than CMHC group. There was no significant difference between PSP and SFS scores between intervention groups.

Conclusion

The psychiatric rehabilitation in CMHC has a positive effect on the social functioning and clinical symptoms of schizophrenic patients. Adjunct PSST to routine service seems to help relieving clinical symptoms.