Larson Brenda R, Looker Sherry, Herrera Dianne M, Creagan Edward T, Hayman Suzanne R, Kaur Judith S, Jatoi Aminah
Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
J Cancer Educ. 2010 Sep;25(3):396-400. doi: 10.1007/s13187-010-0062-5. Epub 2010 Feb 24.
The purpose of this study was to explore whether cancer patients, who are actively receiving cancer therapy and who sometimes have only a few months to live, have anxieties or concerns that arise as a result of not being able to care for their pets during their illness or after their demise. A survey was developed and utilized among such patients to assess whether they had pet-related concerns and anxieties and to determine whether they desired more information on available pet-related resources. Three hundred nine patients completed the survey, and 170 (55%) had a pet(s). The majority described that their pets helped them during their cancer. Only 4% of all patients and 7% of the pet owners desired more information on community resources for pet care, and 80% of pet owners had family members who were already helping them with pet care. Cancer patients appear to benefit from their pets and report few pet-related concerns. Healthcare providers at other medical centers should consider determining whether their patients have needs and anxieties related to caring for their pets and whether educational efforts should be put forth to focus on such issues.
本研究的目的是探讨正在积极接受癌症治疗、有时仅余几个月生命的癌症患者，是否因患病期间或去世后无法照料宠物而产生焦虑或担忧。针对此类患者开展了一项调查，以评估他们是否有与宠物相关的担忧和焦虑，并确定他们是否希望获取更多关于现有宠物相关资源的信息。309名患者完成了调查，其中170名（55%）拥有宠物。大多数患者表示他们的宠物在患癌期间给予了帮助。所有患者中只有4%、宠物主人中只有7%希望获取更多关于宠物照料社区资源的信息，80%的宠物主人有家庭成员已经在帮助他们照料宠物。癌症患者似乎从宠物那里获益，且报告的与宠物相关的担忧较少。其他医疗中心的医护人员应考虑确定他们的患者是否有与照料宠物相关的需求和焦虑，以及是否应开展教育工作来关注此类问题。
