[Physical complaints, stress and quality of life of oncologic patients. Effects and patient assessment in inpatient rehabilitation].

AIM

To what extent do cancer patients use an inpatient aftercare programme and how is its effect been estimated by them? How is the progress of "general physical complaints", "psychosocial stress" and "satisfaction with life" in some cases over a period of up to eight months?

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To 201 patients with breast or intestinal cancer respectively, who were going to be or had already been admitted to an inpatient aftercare, standardised and unstandardized questionnaire were presented to be filled out at 4 or 5 different dates before and during the programme as well as 3 and 6 months later.

RESULTS

Many patients tried to take part in the aftercare programme actively. Even 6 months later 95.6% estimated it as being "successful" and 70% said that there had been a lasting positive effect after the treatment. The "general physical complaints" and "psychosocial stress" grew significantly less during the inpatient aftercare programme and "satisfaction with life" improved. After the treatment these effects were declining again.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that many patients, who participate in an inpatient aftercare programme, profit by it directly. As the positive effects partially get lost during the following months, the patients should be prepared more intensely for the time after dismission with its higher level of strain and should get an especially attentive ambulant care at home.