Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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A Descriptive Survey of Patient’s Perceptions of Support
Received from a Nurse Specialist in a Hepatitis C Treatment
Clinic
Anne Grogan MSc (Nursing), BNS, Dip HSM, RGN.
CNM2 Hepatitis Nurse Specialist
St. James’s Hospital,
Dublin 8.
Tel: 087 2039968 email groganan@tcd.ie
Background
Hepatitis C is a worldwide health problem with increasing numbers
of individuals being infected every year. However, hepatitis C is a
treatable disease but treatment comes with a multitude of adverse
side effects and patients require support from specialist nurses
while on treatment. To date, there is little nursing research on
hepatitis C treatment and its impact on nursing care in Ireland.
Methodology
This research used a quantitative approach in the form of a
descriptive survey to identify patient’s perceptions of support
received from the nurse specialist in a hepatitis C treatment clinic.
Data was collected by questionnaires distributed to a convenience
sample of 201 hepatitis C treatment patients at a large urban
general hospital.
Aims
The main aims of this study were to determine the most common
side effects and support needs of patients on treatment and
investigate if patients were satisfied with the support they received
from the nurse specialist. Another aim was to explore the
relationships between key demographics and patient’s perceptions
of support in a bid to highlight future recommendations for nurse
specialists to improve the support they provide for patients on
hepatitis C treatment.
Findings
Findings of this study showed a response rate of 53% (n=106). The
majority of respondents were young ex-intravenous drug users with
genotype 3 hepatitis C who had a good response to treatment. The
main side effects reported were fatigue, sleep disturbances and
weight loss. Another high scoring side effect was sexual
dysfunction. Overall, patients were very satisfied with the support
they received from the nurse specialist in helping them cope with
side effects. High scoring areas of support received included advice
on contraception and education on how to maintain a healthy
lifestyle. Participants were also very satisfied with the amount of
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