Biomedical subjects

Cynthia Chernecky

Publications and source records attributed to Cynthia Chernecky.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Quality of life and health status of dyads of women with lung cancer and family members.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the quality of life (QOL) and health status of dyads of women with lung cancer and their family members and to explore the correlates of family members' QOL. RESEARCH APPROACH: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Interview, self-report. PARTICIPANTS: 51 dyads consisting of women with lung cancer and their family members. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: One-time assessment of family members' and patients' QOL, health status, and demographics and patients' clinical characteristics. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Family and patient QOL and health status. FINDINGS: QOL of the dyads was not significantly related. Poorer physical QOL of family members was associated with older age, comorbid conditions, less education, and alcohol use. Poorer emotional QOL of family members was associated with younger age, depressed mood, and not being a spouse. Fifty-nine percent of family members had comorbid conditions. Significantly more family members continued to smoke and use alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: The QOL of family members of patients with lung cancer is diminished when their own health status is compromised. Further study is needed. INTERPRETATION: Additional study is needed to identify family members at risk for diminished QOL and with compromised health status because these factors might affect ability to support patients with lung cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Internet design preferences of patients with cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe computer experience and preferences for multimedia design. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive. SETTING: Physician office and outpatient cancer centers in an urban area in the southeastern United States. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 22 volunteer patients with cancer from four racial groups. METHODS: A questionnaire on computer experiences was followed by a hands-on computer session with questions regarding preferences for seven interface items. Data termination occurred when sample size was obtained. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Design of Internet education site for patients. Variables include preferences, computer, cancer, multimedia, and education. FINDINGS: Eighty-two percent had personal computers, 41% used a computer daily, and 95% believed that computers would be a good avenue for learning about cancer care. Preferences included display colors in blue and green hues; colored buttons; easy-to-read text; graphics with a simple design and large, clear pictures; serif font in dark type; light-colored background; and larger photo size in a rectangle shape. Most popular graphic icons as metaphors were 911 for emergency, picture of skull and crossbones for danger, and a picture of a string on an index finger representing reminder. The simple layout most preferred for appearances was one that included text and pictures, read from left to right, and was symmetrical in its placement of pictures and text on the page. CONCLUSIONS: Preferences are necessary to maintain interest and support navigation through computer designs to enhance the translation of knowledge to patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Development of multimedia based on patient preferences will enhance education, learning, and, ultimately, quality patient care.

Female↗

PubMed2005

Quality of life and meaning of illness of women with lung cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the quality of life (QOL) of women with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and examine relationships of demographic, clinical, health status, and meaning of illness (MOI) characteristics to QOL. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: In-person interviews in homes or research offices. SAMPLE: 217 women with NSCLC (greater than 6 months and less than 5 years since diagnosis, mean = 2 years); 19% of the women had advanced disease. The mean age was 65 years. METHODS: Assessments of QOL with cancer-specific (QOL Scale-Patient Version) and generic (Short Form-36) self-reports, health status (i.e., number and type of comorbid conditions, presence of depressed mood using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, smoking status), and MOI (positive and negative perceptions). MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: QOL, health status, MOI, and demographic and clinical characteristics. FINDINGS: Serious disruptions in psychological and social aspects of QOL were common. Depressed mood, negative conceptualizations of MOI, and younger age explained 37% of the variance of global QOL and were correlated with poorer physical, psychological, and social dimensions of QOL. Thirty-six percent reported negative ascriptions of MOI; 35% experienced depressed mood; more than 75% reported distress with their diagnosis, family distress, and impact of sexual function as lowering their QOL; and 67% reported comorbid conditions, the most common being chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Women with lung cancer experience a range of disruptions in QOL, and more than a third associate lung cancer with negative meaning. Younger age, depressed mood, and number of comorbid diseases are risk factors for negative QOL. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: These findings support the importance of assessing the QOL, MOI, and health status of women with lung cancer even after treatment is completed. Younger women may be at higher risk for disruptions.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Assessing coughing and wheezing in lung cancer: a pilot study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To establish reliability and validity of two self-report questionnaires, the Lung Cancer Cough Questionnaire and the Lung Cancer Wheezing Questionnaire. DESIGN: Prospective, exploratory pilot study. SETTING: Clinical oncology settings in the southern United States. SAMPLE: 31 adult women with lung cancer. METHODS: Content validity of both questionnaires was assessed through a comprehensive literature review and an expert judge panel. Concurrent validity was established by Spearman rank correlation coefficients and Wil-coxon Rank Sum tests with items from other valid tools. Test-retest reliability was assessed by percent agreement, kappa, paired t tests, and correlations. Internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's alpha. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Cough, wheeze. FINDINGS: Cronbach's alpha showed excellent internal consistency and percent agreement, and kappa showed similarity of item responses across test-retest administrations. Nonsignificant paired t tests indicated similar mean scores, and significant test-retest correlations supported test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary testing indicates good reliability and validity for both questionnaires. Both instruments can identify people with problems of coughing and wheezing and have the potential for monitoring these symptoms over time and determining effectiveness of interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Assessment of coughing and wheezing is an important component of monitoring respiratory symptoms of lung cancer. Both of these symptoms can be amenable to interventions. Further research is needed to confirm psychometrics and sensitivity of these tools.

Cough↗

PubMed2003

Challenges of recruitment and retention in multisite clinical research.

This article reviews recruitment and retention issues in a multisite, multistate (California, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, Alabama) 6-month prospective cross-sectional study focused on quality of life among 230 women with lung cancer. Recruitment of women into clinical trials and their retention are important, yet understudied. To date, few articles have described the challenges associated with recruiting women with lung cancer to participate in clinical research. Data from this trial were used to investigate the most effective strategies for recruitment across sites, to identify the most common reasons for refusal and attrition, and to identify challenges and potential solutions to recruitment and retention issues associated with multisite clinical research studies. Strategies for recruitment included letters from physicians, posters, announcements in community support groups, and newspaper and radio advertisements. Three sites allowed the researchers to contact potential participants directly, whereas 2 sites required the potential participants to contact the researchers for further information. Enrollment included 63% of the women eligible for the study (n = 230). The most common reasons for refusal were health limitations (n = 60), lack of interest (n = 46), and inconvenience (n = 16). The most common reasons for attrition (24% of the sample) were death (n = 21) and severity of illness (n = 13). Challenges related to recruitment and retention varied by geographic location.

Clinical Nursing Research↗

PubMed2002

Assessing adults with leukemia.

Patient history, physical findings, and laboratory and diagnostic tests can assist in efficient and effective assessments of adults with leukemia who are undergoing conventional chemotherapy and follow-up monitoring. A systematic approach can enhance assessment and improve early detection of common problems that impact complications, care, and cost.

Adjustment Disorders↗