Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Cumhuriyet Medical Journal, cilt.42, sa.4, ss.449-457, 2020 (Hakemli Dergi)
Objective: Cancer is a difficult disease to cure that it affects the individual
physically, emotionally, and socially, and reduces the quality of life and
threatens life. Successful chemotherapy and general care depends on patient
participation.This study was conducted to investigate the relationship
between autonomy levels and problem-solving skills of chemotherapy
patients.
Method: One hundred and four patients who received chemotherapy within
the past year comprised the sample of this descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Data were collected using a personal information form, the Autonomy
subscale of the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale and the Problem-solving
Inventory.
Results: Means and standard deviations for total scores on the Autonomy
subscale and Problem Solving Inventory were 66.54±20.97 and
83.46±20.00 respectively. Autonomy was positively correlated with
problem-solving skills. Autonomy and problem-solving skill levels of the
patients who had a university degree, were married, were residing in the city
center, perceived their economic status as good, received education about
chemotherapy or suffered the effects of chemotherapy were statistically
significantly higher (all ps < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our sample displayed moderate autonomy and poor problemsolving skills. We recommend that nurses take into account patients’
autonomy and problem-solving skill levels during chemotherapy and efforts
should be made at both individual and institutional level to promote patient
autonomy and improve patients’ problem-solving skills.