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Fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer from the staff perspective: an exploratory study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hinds, PS; Hockenberry Eaton, M; Quargnenti, A; May, M; Burleson, C; Gilger, E; Randall, E; Brace Oneill, J
Published in: Oncology nursing forum
March 1999

OBJECTIVE: To document and analyze the perspectives of staff members who provide direct care to 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer regarding the nature and characteristics of fatigue, causes of fatigue, and effective interventions for this population of young patients. METHODS: A pediatric oncology unit at a children's hospital in the southwest and a pediatric research center for childhood catastrophic diseases in the mid-south. METHODS: A convenience sample of 38 staff members (8 advanced practice nurses, 23 staff nurses, 2 nurses managers, 3 nutritionists, 1 chaplain, and 1 physician) whose experience in pediatric oncology ranged from two months to 23 years. METHODS: Nine open-ended questions were posed to staff members during focus group sessions. Staff responses were analyzed using content analysis techniques and the Wilson concept analysis technique. METHODS: Staff perceptions of fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer. RESULTS: Fatigue is a state of diminished to complete loss of energy or will that is influenced by environmental, biochemical, personal, cultural, and treatment-related factors. This state, which may be acute, episodic, or chronic, can be accompanied by a changing emotional or mental state. CONCLUSIONS: Staff perceive fatigue to be a debilitating symptom for these children. When attempting to determine the presence or absence of fatigue, staff primarily compare a child's current state with his or her previous state rather than that of other children. Staff see themselves as having a role in causing and alleviating fatigue in this patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Staff can use these findings to help them identify the presence of fatigue in these children and to identify contributing and alleviating factors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Oncology nursing forum

ISSN

0190-535X

Publication Date

March 1999

Volume

26

Issue

1

Start / End Page

37 / 45

Related Subject Headings

  • Tennessee
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Oncology Nursing
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital
  • Nursing
  • Neoplasms
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Fatigue
 

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Hinds, P. S., Hockenberry Eaton, M., Quargnenti, A., May, M., Burleson, C., Gilger, E., … Brace Oneill, J. (1999). Fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer from the staff perspective: an exploratory study. Oncology Nursing Forum, 26(1), 37–45.
Hinds, P. S., M. Hockenberry Eaton, A. Quargnenti, M. May, C. Burleson, E. Gilger, E. Randall, and J. Brace Oneill. “Fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer from the staff perspective: an exploratory study.Oncology Nursing Forum 26, no. 1 (March 1999): 37–45.
Hinds PS, Hockenberry Eaton M, Quargnenti A, May M, Burleson C, Gilger E, et al. Fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer from the staff perspective: an exploratory study. Oncology nursing forum. 1999 Mar;26(1):37–45.
Hinds, P. S., et al. “Fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer from the staff perspective: an exploratory study.Oncology Nursing Forum, vol. 26, no. 1, Mar. 1999, pp. 37–45.
Hinds PS, Hockenberry Eaton M, Quargnenti A, May M, Burleson C, Gilger E, Randall E, Brace Oneill J. Fatigue in 7- to 12-year-old patients with cancer from the staff perspective: an exploratory study. Oncology nursing forum. 1999 Mar;26(1):37–45.

Published In

Oncology nursing forum

ISSN

0190-535X

Publication Date

March 1999

Volume

26

Issue

1

Start / End Page

37 / 45

Related Subject Headings

  • Tennessee
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Oncology Nursing
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital
  • Nursing
  • Neoplasms
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Fatigue