Profile of handicap situations in cancer patients.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the level of difficulty when performing a life habit, the type of assistance required and the person's level of satisfaction in relation to the accomplishment of each life habit, to establish a profile of handicap situation in cancer patients and to assess the relationship between the level of accomplishment and the level of satisfaction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 100 cancer patients. The Life Habits Assessment was used to measure the degree of accomplishment in 12 categories of life habits - daily living and social roles.

RESULTS

Disruptions in the accomplishment of all life habit categories were revealed. The highest disruptions were observed in the following categories: education, recreation, and employment. The highest accomplishments were observed in communication, personal care, and fitness. Human assistance was required in the accomplishment of responsibility, community, employment and recreation. The highest person's level of satisfaction was observed in communication, personal care and interpersonal relations. The highest correlation between the level of accomplishment and the level of satisfaction were in mobility and residence, and the lowest correlation was in communication.

CONCLUSION

The established profile of handicap situation in cancer patients should help specify rehabilitation objectives and may be a frame for individual treatment plan in accomplishing better social participation of cancer patients.