Satisfaction with nursing care among cancer patients admitted in oncology wards at a national referral hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Nursing care is meeting both physical and psychosocial needs of patients. Cancer patients experience more biopsychosocial needs than other patients, hence they require more nursing care. An oncology nurse therefore provides physical, psychosocial and spiritual care to cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to assess satisfaction with nursing care among cancer patients admitted in oncology wards at Kenyatta National Hospital. Methodology: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample size was 91 patients who were selected using purposive sampling technique. The target population were adult patients (both males and females) aged 18 years and above admitted in oncology wards(GFD and 8C) at KNH , with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer and who had received care for at least 48 hours. Data collection tool was a standardized researcher administered, semi structured questionnaire and Likert scale. Results: Majority of cancer patients, 53.8% were not satisfied with psychosocial care with 97.8% (89) having their expectations on psychosocial care partially met. 97.8% (89) of the cancer patients identified emotional support as the priority psychosocial need, with 82.4% (75) recommending improvement of the same. Majority (76.5%) had a neutral position with regard to satisfaction status with physical care. On general satisfaction, 94.5% (88) were satisfied with care in the ward with 96.7% (84) reporting that physical care was most satisfying. Conclusion: Cancer patient satisfaction with nursing care had a positive association with their perceptions on nursing care offered in the ward. Psychosocial care was less satisfying to the cancer patients. Recommendation: Oncology nurses should be keen to meet all patient needs to promote care satisfaction with emphasis to psychosocial care.