Uncertainty among patients with advanced-stage lung cancer
Kiratiya Wongkalasin, Yaowarat Matchim, Ruankwan Kanhasing, Sirinya Pimvichai- Advanced and Specialized Nursing
Background:
Uncertainty is the inability to define the meaning of illness-related events, which may result in anxiety, depression, poor coping, the self-perception of being a burden and low quality of life. Uncertainty among Thai patients with advanced-stage lung cancer (ASLC) has not been well documented.
Aims:
To assess uncertainty in patients with ASLC.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 60 patients with ASLC at a university hospital. A demographic data form and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS) were used to collect data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
The patients had moderate levels of uncertainty in illness (83.73±15.25). Ambiguity about the illness and unpredictability of the prognosis scored at a moderate level for patients, while complexity of treatment and the system of care and inconsistency or lack of information, about the diagnosis or severity of the illness were at a low level.
Conclusion:
The results of this study may help healthcare professionals better understand and manage uncertainty in patients with ASLC.