Hussam Abu Jaab
Monash University, Australia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Gen Med (Los Angeles)
Introduction: Lung cancer is the second leading cause of death in women and the leading cause of death for men worldwide. Nurses are an important part of the workforce; Saudi Arabia is facing huge nursing workforce shortages with a majority of the workforce being expatriate nurses. The overall aim of this study was to examine the emerging role of nurses caring for patients with lung cancer in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study employed an interpretive descriptive method and involved data collected using semi-structured face-toface interviews. Ethics approval for the study was obtained from the general directorate for research and studies, the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (RS-MOH), and Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC). Results: Nurses adopt a holistic approach in the care of lung cancer patients. This is in recognition that humans are complex multi-dimensional beings with rational and irrational thoughts, physical differences, diverse mental and the spiritual characteristics. In this study female patients were reported to be more flexible than male patients in their receptiveness to information and advice offered by nurses of the nurse caring for patients with lung cancer. Education of patients and education of nurses were identified as two main findings. Conclusion: Nurses in the KSA have taken a proactive approach to the education of patients and their families (caregivers) in response to evidence supporting the need for an emerging role providing holistic care.
