Cytotoxic chemotherapy for incurable colorectal cancer: living with a PICC-line

Molloy, D., Smith, L.N. and Aitchison, T. (2008) Cytotoxic chemotherapy for incurable colorectal cancer: living with a PICC-line. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(18), pp. 2398-2407. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02359.x)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02359.x

Abstract

<b>Aims.</b> (i) To determine which aspects of living with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line cause Modified de Gramont (MdG) patients most difficulty. (ii) To explore MdG patients' views of the PICC-line experience. (iii) To determine if patients view PICC-lines as a benefit or a burden when receiving ambulatory MdG chemotherapy. <b>Design.</b> A two-stage, descriptive study. <b>Methods.</b> Phase 1 comprised semi-structured interviews. Phase 2 surveyed the MdG population. Phase 1 interview data informed the Phase 2 questionnaire. The setting was a West of Scotland Cancer Care Centre and the sample was: Phase 1, a convenience sample of 10 MdG patients; Phase 2, 62 consecutive patients. <b>Results.</b> A response rate of 93·9% for Phase 2. The majority of PICC-line patients held favourable views towards having a PICC-line and adapted well with minimal disruption to daily life. Concerns were evident regarding coping at home with a PICC-line, chemotherapy spillage, dealing with complex information and the responsibility of patients/carers regarding PICC-line management. Patients preferred ambulatory chemotherapy to in-patient treatment. <b>Conclusions.</b> PICC-lines should be considered for more chemotherapy patients but service development is necessary to ensure individual needs are addressed. <b>Relevance to clinical practice.</b> Contributes to the PICC-line literature by providing a national patient perspective on a range of daily living activities (DLAs). PICC-line patients prefer out-patient ambulatory chemotherapy rather than in-patient treatment. The longer a patient has a PICC-line, the more able they are to manage activities such as dressing. Concerns remain over chemotherapy spillage, partner/carer responsibility for PICC-line maintenance and the proper balance between required information and what the patient wants to know.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com
Keywords:ambulatory chemotherapy • coping • information • nursing • peripherally inserted central catheter • PICC-line
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Smith, Professor Lorraine and Aitchison, Mr Thomas and Molloy, Dr Doreen
Authors: Molloy, D., Smith, L.N., and Aitchison, T.
Subjects:R Medicine > RT Nursing
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Statistics
Journal Name:Journal of Clinical Nursing
Publisher:Blackwell
ISSN:0962-1067
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2008 Blackwell
First Published:First published in Journal of Clinical Nursing 17(18):2398-2407
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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