Introduction
Cervical cancer is a significant health problem for women worldwide. Diagnosing and treating this type of cancer can considerably affect a patient’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Therefore, it is essential to create effective nursing practices to improve the lives of those with cervical cancer. Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM) is a sound theoretical system that can direct the creation of nursing interventions for those with chronic illnesses. This paper intends to evaluate a study that applied RAM to create a nursing care plan and assess the efficacy of the nursing care plan in elevating the quality of life for patients.
Methods
The research “Enhancing quality of life for those with cervical cancer by applying Roy’s Adaptation Model” was conducted in two hospitals in Taiwan. The participants of the research were 60 female patients with cervical cancer receiving radiation treatment, with an average age of 50 (Mathew & Seeta, 2016). The nursing care plan was designed based on RAM and encompassed four elements: assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and appraisal. The nursing interventions included handling symptoms, emotional assistance, and patient education. The plan was administered by competent nurses who followed a predetermined procedure. The degree of patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cervix (FACT-Cx) questionnaire, which gauged physical, functional, emotional, and social well-being. The questionnaire was administered to the patients after the radiation therapy began and again after four weeks. The distress, anxiety, and depression of the patients were also determined using standardized assessments.
Results
The research found that implementing the nursing care plan created using RAM successfully elevates the quality of life of individuals with cervical cancer. Patients who received the care plan had a significantly higher quality of life score than those who received regular care. Moreover, the nursing care plan effectively lessened symptom distress, anxiety, and depression (Mathew & Seeta, 2016). These outcomes reveal that RAM-instructed nursing care planning positively influences the physical, mental, and social well-being of those with cervical cancer. On top of that, the study reported that people who received the nursing care plan had a higher level of satisfaction with their treatment when compared to those who got standard care. It means using RAM can also improve patient experience and satisfaction with respect.
Discussion
Using RAM in creating a nursing plan for people with cervical cancer offers various advantages. First, it furnishes a comprehensive approach to patient care, considering patients’ physical, psychological, and social requirements. This strategy allows for a more thorough comprehension of patients’ needs and encourages improved patient results. It promotes patient-focused care by engaging patients in the care-planning process. This method helps patients to feel more capable and involved in their care, resulting in better patient contentment and outcomes (Mathew & Seeta, 2016). Furthermore, this method allows nurses to recognize and tackle potential problems before they become significant difficulties. By considering all aspects of patient care, nurses can predict issues and intercede early to prevent them from becoming severe. Using RAM in nursing care planning can enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction and create a more effective and efficient health care system.
Despite RAM’s benefits, utilizing the model in a clinical setting is challenging due to its complexity and the extensive training and theoretical knowledge required to use it correctly. These factors could present a challenge in specific locations or for nurses needing to be adequately trained in RAM. Additionally, RAM may only be suitable for some patient groups, as it was developed based on the experiences of people with chronic diseases. It is unsuitable for those with acute illnesses or different cultural backgrounds. Nonetheless, the advantages of utilizing RAM in nursing care planning outdo the potential issues, and nurses can confront these difficulties with the proper training and education.
Further research is required to assess the usefulness of RAM in elevating the quality of life for patients with other types of cancer. While this research centered on cervical cancer, employing RAM in nursing care and planning may also benefit different cancer types. Extra studies can determine which interventions are most helpful for cancer types and which patients would reap the most from RAM-based care plans. Furthermore, research is necessary to ascertain the most effective methods of implementing RAM in clinical practice and to recognize potential obstacles to its implementation. This could ensure that RAM-based care plans are available and beneficial to all patients, no matter their care setting or the nurse’s level of training. By continuing to investigate and refine RAM-based care planning, nurses can provide better and more comprehensive care to their patients.
Conclusion
To conclude, the research indicates that using RAM in designing a nursing care plan for cervical cancer patients can enhance their quality of life. The nursing care plan developed with RAM was successful in diminishing symptom distress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improving physical, functional, emotional, and social well-being. In spite of the potential challenges, the application of RAM in nursing care planning has the potential to provide a patient-centered, holistic approach to care that addresses the complex needs of cancer patients. Nevertheless, further exploration is necessary to determine the best techniques for implementing RAM in clinical care and to recognize potential hindrances to its implementation.
Reference
Mathew, R., & Devi, S. (2016). Improve quality of life of patients with cervical cancer: An application of Roy’s adaptation model. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 7(5), 11265–11270. Web.