The study on developing the self care tool for the elderly cancer patient undergoing hemotherapy : Focusing on the effect of Health Monitoring Diary

Objectives: This study attempted to investigate the effects of Health Monitoring Diary as a self care tool which was developed for the elderly cancer patient at home undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Applying the intervention research, (1) Performing qualitative research to find the experience and difficulties during recovery period (2) Designing the self care tool for elderly cancer patients (3) Collecting the feedback about Health Monitoring Diary and revising (4) A quasi-experimental design that 28 elderly cancer patients participated at the pretest and posttest from June to August 2016 and 8 elderly patients in-depth interviews were used to investigate the effect of Health Monitoring Diary during 2016, August. Results: This study showed that the post score of anxiety was lower than pretest and post self efficacy for health care was formed more than pretest. At first, vital and health related item check were inconvenient, but elder patients were getting accustomed and lived a regular life. Their minds became relaxed by visually checking physical condition, and felt that family gave more attention to and cared carefully for them. Conclusions: This study revealed that Health Monitoring Diary for elder cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was effective for reducing anxiety and for increasing self efficacy of self health care. Thus social diffusion is needed.