Thai Buddhist patients with cancer undergoing radiation therapy: feelings, coping, and satisfaction with...

Ninety male and 89 female Thai Buddhist patients with cancer undergoing radiation therapy at a Bangkok hospital outpatient radiation therapy clinic were subjected to a questionnaire study. The purpose of the study was to (i) describe feelings, coping, and satisfaction with nurse-provided education and support and (ii) identify possible gender differences. The results showed that the most common feelings of both genders at first knowledge about radiation therapy were "acceptance/calmness," and the women more often than the men felt "anxiety" and "fright/fear." The most common ways of coping with radiation therapy for both genders were "rest," "talk with family/friends," "visit doctor," and "meditate," and in this regard there were no significant gender differences. The men expressed their highest satisfaction with "nurse has knowledge about disease/treatment" and "nurse listens to patient's problem," whereas the women expressed their highest satisfaction with "patient dares to ask questions" and "nurse likes to explain information." The satisfaction with different aspects of nurse-provided education and support was commonly higher among the men. When oncology nurses are to provide education to radiation therapy patients, it is essential that they are aware of their patients' characteristics, such as the ones identified here, that are related to cultural values and religious beliefs as well as to gender.