Predicting Factors of Quality of life among Patients with Terminal Cancer at Out–Patient Department of Hospitals in Medical Service Department, Bangkok Metropolitan and Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University

Abstract

This descriptive research study aimed to investigate predictive factors for quality of life among patients with terminal cancer. The 110 research samples patients with terminal cancer who have taken services from the Out – patients department from the General Hospitals of Medical Service Department, Bangkok Metropolitan and Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospitals, Navamindradhiraj University by mean of stratified random sampling. Data were obtained using interview based on demographic characteristics questionnaire; sense of coherence questionnaire, social support questionnaire, symptom experiences questionnaire, and quality of life questionnaire. These Instruments were tested for their content validity
by a panel of experts. Internal consistency reliability for each questionnaires tested by Cronbach’s alpha were 0.89, 0.88, 0.96 and 0.87, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s production - moment correlation, and Stepwise regression analysis. The findings revealed that patients with terminal cancer had moderate level of quality of life (x= 3.16, S.D. = .35). The relationship
between social support and sense of coherence showed positive significant with quality of life. However, the relationship between symptom experiences and admission time to hospital was negative significant with quality of life and duration of illness was not statistically correlated to quality of life. The Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that social support, symptom experiences, and admission time to hospital could predict 40.80% in quality of life (R2 = .408, P<0.05). Social support could significantly predict quality of life, followed by symptom experiences (in symptom severity dimension) and admission time to hospital. Whereas sense of coherence and duration of illness could not predict quality of life in patients with terminal cancer. Finding assist in developing nursing intervention or program that effectively promotes quality of life for patients with terminal cancer.