CHAPTER VI SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The present study was focused on assessment of level of depression among the cancer patients and finds the relationship between the demographic and disease condition on level of depression. The study was conducted in District Cancer Centre, Kozhencherry. Kerala. Relevant literature was revealed to enrich the knowledge on selected phenomena and if facilitated in selecting appropriate conceptual model, develop a framework and research plan. The research design adopted for this study is descriptive co relational design. The total number of samples was !, and the samples were selected by using "ystematic "ampling Techni#ue. The research design adopted in the study was Descriptive Co relational Design. $t is used to e%amine the relationship between the demographic and disease variables on the level of depression. The practicability of the tool was tested through pilot study. The tool used in the study is a standardised tool, &eck Depression $nventory. The tool consists of ' sections( "ection ) is demographic profile, section & is disease condition and section C is assessment of depression. The data collected was tabulated in fre#uency distribution* the distribution pattern was depicted through appropriate graphic methods. Karl +earson,s coefficient co relation was used to verify the influence of demographic and disease variables and the level of depression.

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6.1 Major Findings o !"# S!$d%& .. /a0ority of the cancer patients, that is, '1. percent of the ! patients were in the age group of !.231. 4. )mong the forty si% patients, '5 percent of the patients were married. '. $t was found that -..' percent of the total ! patients were completely dependent on their family members for emotional support, whereas only 3! percent of the total ! patients are dependent on family members for financial support. . '!.- percent of the total ! patients were found to be in the stage of cancer. 6. /ore than half of the patients 764..89 were undergoing chemotherapy. !. The level of depression among cancer patients who participated in the study was found to be as follows( 61 percent had e%treme depression, .. percent had severe depression and 5.! percent had moderate depression. 3. There is a positive correlation between the age and the level of depression among the cancer patients, as the Karl +earson,s Co relation Coefficient is positive, the r value is 1. 1 5. There is a negative correlation between income and level of depression among the cancer patients, the r value is 21.1-. There is a positive correlation between duration of illness and the level of depression among the cancer patients, the r value is 1.'. .1. ) positive correlation was found between the stage of illness and the level of depression among the cancer patients, the r value is 1.'5 6.' D#(i)i!a!ions o !"# S!$d%&

!.4.. This study is only aimed to assess the depression in cancer patients. !.4.4 This study is limited to one cancer centre. !.4.' This study is limited to patients who were receiving only chemotherapy and palliative care. 6.* S$gg#s!ions or !"# F$r!"#r S!$d%& !.'.. ) comparative study can be conducted to assess the level of depression between male and female cancer patients. 6.+ R#,o))#nda!ions& !. .. :ngoing in service education on psychological problems of cancer patients to the staff nurses with periodic reinforcement can be done to enhance the knowledge of staff nurses for early identification of depression. !. .4 Training can be provided to the staff nurses on the utilization of the various depression assessment tools for the early detection of depression. !. .' ;ducation on coping skills should be given to all cancer patients. !. . +lanned health education can be given to parents and caregivers to identify the psychological change in cancer patients. 6.- N$rsing I).(i,a!ion& The present study has implications for nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research 6.-.1 N$rsing .ra,!i,#&

This study has important implications in nursing care of cancer patients with depression. )ssessment can be done by nurses, using &eck,s Depression $nventory, once they have thought. &y performing assessment of depression among cancer patients, early detection of depression can be possible and the early intervention to treat depression will help to improve the psychological wellbeing of the cancer patients. 6.-.' N$rsing Ed$,a!ion& <ursing students should develop knowledge regarding the

importance of improving the psychological wellbeing of the cancer patients and its potential benefits in facilitating the treatment response of cancer patients. 6.-.* N$rsing Ad)inis!ra!ion& +rovisions should be made for training staff nurses on doing assessment "uggestions from patients should be made to include interventional methods to improve the psychological wellbeing. 6.-.+ N$rsing R#s#ar," The main goal of the nursing research is to improve the patient care. /ore research is necessary for all types of methods that should be adopted and studied for the best results. )ppropriate utilization of research helps to make evidenced based decision. Con,($sion& Cancer patients are facing numerous challenges ranging from physical, mental and emotional problems, $dentifying and giving treatment

and support, to their problems will reduce the burden of their disease and it also help to improve their well being. The study was taken to assess the depression among cancer patients, the staff nurses are responsible person in assessing, planning and evaluating the health of the cancer patients. The result of the study provides vital support for the need to identify high risk patients through psychosocial screening in order to provide early intervention, early intervention to treat subclinical depression may prevent subse#uent psychological distress. =ailure to detect and treat the elevated levels of distress 0eopardizes the outcomes of cancer therapies, decreases patient #uality of life and increases health care cost. This study will help the nurses, nursing students and health personnel to understand the prevalence of depression among cancer patients. This will help to plan the program on psychological health promotion in cancer patients. This can be utilized to plan further programme to reduce the depression among cancer patients and promote the psychological health.

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