Dados do Trabalho

Título

THE USE OF TELECARE IN NURSING TO SUPPORT PATIENTS AFTER THEIR 1ST TREATMENT IN AN ONCOLOGY OUTPATIENT UNIT: SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP

Introdução

Introduction: In recent decades, there has been an increase in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a complementary strategy in health care. In March 2020, in the context of the pandemic, the Federal Medical Council (CFM) and Nursing Council (COFEN), as well as the Ministry of Health, recognized the possibility and ethics of telemedical and nursing care. This is a study on the use of telecare in nursing to support patients after their 1st chemotherapy in an oncology outpatient unit. At this time when a pandemic shows us that being close can often threaten a patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment, this telephone contact is the moment when we become close, to clarify doubts and reduce the anguish of those facing a disease and a treatment so surrounded by uncertainties and side effects.

Objetivo

Objective: To establish the practice of nursing telecare, for patients in initial treatments and protocol exchange, in order to provide support / guidance, as to doubts that may exist, aiming to offer a satisfactory experience to patients and families, demonstrating the importance of monitoring performed by a nurse specialist in oncology.

Método

Method: Telephone contact was made in the first 24-48 hours after the first chemotherapy, in an oncology outpatient unit located in Rio de Janeiro. The calls were guided by a questionnaire created to guide the main questions regarding the treatment and possible problems related to it.

Resultado

Results: From June 14 to July 14, 2021, 102 calls were successfully answered by telephone, and in seven contacts we had no success in the calls. The main questions from patients were related to toxicities and home care, 43% denied side effects, 23% reported gastrointestinal side effects, the remaining 36% reported pain, fatigue and changes in sleep pattern, all had their doubts clarified.

Conclusão

Conclusion: Given the above, we conclude that we have managed to objectively help and clarify doubts about the main questions revealed by these patients, and we note their satisfaction with the management of these symptoms, thus also reducing the fear and feeling of loneliness.

Palavras-chave

telecare, oncology nursing, symptom management