Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Igarashi, Ayumi, RN, PhD
• Miyashita, Mitsunori, RN, PhD
• Morita, Tatsuya, MD
• Akizuki, Nobuya, MD, PhD
• Akiyama, Miki, PhD
• Shirahige, Yutaka, MD, PhD
• Eguchi, Kenji, MD, PhD

Titel

A Scale for Measuring Feelings of Support and Security Regarding Cancer Care in a Region of Japan: A Potential New Endpoint of Cancer Care

Ist Teil von

• Journal of pain and symptom management, 2012-02, Vol.43 (2), p.218-225

Ort / Verlag

New York, NY: Elsevier Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2012

Quelle

Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ASSIA)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Abstract Context Having a sense of security about the availability of care is important for cancer patients and their families. Objectives To develop a scale for the general population to evaluate feelings of support and security regarding cancer care, and to identify factors associated with a sense of security. Methods A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire was administered to 8000 subjects in four areas of Japan. Sense of security was measured using five statements and using a seven-point Likert scale: “If I get cancer 1) I would feel secure in receiving cancer treatment, 2) my pain would be well relieved, 3) medical staff will adequately respond to my concerns and pain, 4) I would feel secure as a variety of medical care services are available, and 5) I would feel secure in receiving care at home.” We performed an exploratory factor analysis as well as uni- and multivariate analyses to examine factors associated with such a sense of security. Results The five items regarding sense of security were aggregated into one factor, and Cronbach’s α was 0.91. In the Yamagata area where palliative care services were not available, the sense of security was significantly lower than in the other three regions. Female gender ( P = 0.035), older age ( P < 0.001), and having cancer ( P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a strong sense of security. Conclusion A new scale that evaluates sense of security with regard to cancer care was developed. Future studies should examine whether establishing a regional health care system that provides quality palliative care could improve the sense of security of the general population.