Oncology nurses' knowledge about lymphedema assessment, prevention, and management among women with breast cancer.

Publisher: IOS Press Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 8801277 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1558-1551 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 08886008 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Breast Dis Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Amsterdam : IOS Press
Original Publication: [New York, NY] : Elsevier, [c1987-

Disease Management* ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Health Personnel/*psychology ; Lymphedema/*prevention & control ; Nursing Staff/*education ; Oncology Nursing/*statistics & numerical data; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/complications ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Jordan ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most common complications among women with breast cancer.
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the oncology nurses' knowledge about lymphedema assessment, prevention, and management among women with breast cancer, and identify the relationships between oncology nurses' academic qualification, years of experience, and level of knowledge.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. A sample of 150 participants from three institutions completed the study surveys.
Results: 60% (N = 90) of the participants did not pass the knowledge test. 70% (N = 105) of the participants showed lack of knowledge regarding BCRL assessment and examination. The results showed that the participants had knowledge deficit regarding BCRL anatomy, pathophysiology, assessment and examination, risk factors, prevention interventions and precautions, patient education and consultation, and follow-up appointment. Importantly, 96% (N = 144) of the participants reported that they did not receive any continue education regarding BCRL. The results showed that was no significant relationship between years of experience, and level of knowledge (r = 0.25; n = 150; p < 0.51). A significant relationship was found between the nurses' knowledge according to their academic qualifications (𝜒2 = 6.21; p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The results indicated that there is a need for a structured educational program to improve oncology nurses knowledge regarding BCRL.

Keywords: Breast cancer-related lymphedema; knowledge; nurses; oncology

Date Created: 20190409 Date Completed: 20200306 Latest Revision: 20200306

20240105

10.3233/BD-190381

30958327