The Effect of Training Performed Using Mobile Application on Care Requirements and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Training Performed Using Mobile Application on Care Requirements and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial
In a metanalysis study examining the effects of mobile health applications on the quality of life and psychological outcomes of patients with breast cancer, it was concluded that the quality of life increased, the level of self-efficacy was high, and the perceived stress, depression and anxiety were low compared to standard care. It has been stated that there is a need for well-designed randomized studies on the subject due to the heterogeneity of the study results. In a study examining the effects of exercise training given by mobile health application and traditional brochure on physical function, physical activity and quality of life in breast cancer patients, improvement was observed in both groups, but no significant difference was found between the groups. In the study conducted to evaluate the effect of the information transmitted via the mobile application on preoperative breast cancer patients, it was concluded that control patients who did not have access to additional information provided by the mobile application had significantly lower anxiety and depression scores at seven days before surgery compared to the intervention group, and thus, when less information was accessed. It has been reported that anxiety decreases. Surgical treatments applied to women with breast cancer, although there are different treatment options depending on the stage of the disease and the results of the diagnostic procedures; breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy / tumorectomy, partial mastectomy, segmental mastectomy / quadranectomy) and non-breast-conserving surgery (simple mastectomy, bilateral mastectomy, skin-sparing mastectomy, nipple-sparing mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy). When the literature is examined; It was stated that negative emotions such as body image deterioration, decreased self-esteem, hopelessness, guilt, anxiety, and depression were experienced less in patients who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) compared to patients who received other breast surgical treatments. Compared to other patients, those who undergo BCS adapt better to the treatment and care process. There are some disadvantages for patients in BCS, which is preferred in the early stage, which aims to protect the integrity of the breast. Some of the disadvantages are the long-term treatment process, the expensive treatments and the difficult access for those living far from the radiotherapy treatment, which is mostly applied in large centers. In addition to these disadvantages, women experience intense psychosocial problems, symptoms experienced during the treatment process negatively affect their compliance with treatment and quality of life. In order to improve the affected quality of life, besides nursing interventions specially planned for each patient, trainings that will facilitate their adaptation to the disease during the diagnosis and treatment process should be planned.
Breast cancer patients have many problems from different treatment processes and care needs to be met. Determining and supporting care needs affects the quality of life of patients. It is known that training provided by mobile applications enables patients with breast cancer to cope easily with their problems and increase their quality of life. Health needs to be individualized by shifting from institution- and physician-centered understanding to individual-centered healthcare service provision. There is no study in the literature evaluating the results of the training given specific to the supportive care needs with mobile application after surgery. The use of the mobile application that allows patient-centered supportive care for the education given to the patients reveals the difference of this study as it also includes interactive training. Mobile application to be created from educational content for patients with breast cancer; It aims to meet the holistic health care needs of women and to increase the quality of life by determining the individual care needs of women in the period after BCS. In this context, it is thought that the aim of reducing the care needs of patients and increasing the quality of life can be achieved with the education given to the patients. The mobile application includes maintaining and improving the health of women with breast cancer and offering solutions based on the literature for the problems they experience. It will be determined what the unmet needs of women with breast cancer that arise in different treatment processes, to what extent this process affects the quality of life of women and what solutions can be offered for these needs. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of the mobile application method will be determined, and its effect on the patients' supportive care needs and quality of life will be revealed. The findings to be obtained, besides contributing to the literature, will reveal the educational needs of women with breast cancer and guide the treatment and care practices aimed at improving the quality of life. In addition, we aim to contribute to the development of mobile applications in the field of health by sharing our experiences with mobile application preparation. The mobile application developed after the study will be made available to all women with breast cancer.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: