Purpose/Objectives: To summarize empirical evidence relating to stressors that may affect patients' psychosocial health following colostomy or ileostomy surgery during hospitalization and after discharge. Data Sources: An extensive search was performed on the CINAHL®, Cochrane Library, PubMed,...

Design: Longitudinal, descriptive study. Setting: An urban comprehensive cancer center in the northeastern United States. Sample: 218 patients with cancer of the esophagus undergoing esophagectomy. Methods: Symptoms were assessed by self-report before surgery, at the first postoperative visit, and...

Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of senior peer counseling by telephone for supplemental psychosocial support of older women after breast cancer surgery. Design: Experimental, randomized block, longitudinal. Setting: A community-based senior service agency and a community hospital-based...

Patient fears are an ever-present factor of patient care, and addressing those fears is a responsibility of the healthcare provider. One such fear may be of tumor cell dissemination secondary to surgical interventions. Preparing for such discussions will allow the healthcare provider to speak with...