Iranian Journal of Public Health (Oct 2020)

Effects of Counselling on Quality of Life among Cancer Patients in Malaysia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Ummavathy PERIASAMY,
  • Sherina MOHD-SIDIK,
  • Mehrnoosh AKHTARI- ZAVARE,
  • Lekhraj RAMPAL,
  • Siti Irma Fadhilah ISMAIL,
  • Rozi MAHMUD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v49i10.4693
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 49, no. 10

Abstract

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Background: We aimed to assess whether “Managing Patients on Chemotherapy” book is effective to improve quality of life (QOL) of cancer patient via counselling by pharmacist. Methods: A randomized control trial study was run among 2120 cancer patients in public hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia, from Apr 2016-Jan 2018. The treatment group received counselling regarding chemotherapy by using developed module. The data were collected at three time-points: baseline, 1st, 2nd and 3rd follow-ups after counseling by Validated Malay version of the WHOQOL-BREF of questionnaire. Data analyses were done using χ2 and two-way repeated measure ANOVA. Results: The treatment group improved significantly as compared to control group in physical health, psychological health, social relationship, environment and overall QOL (P<0.00). Conclusion: The “Managing Patients on Chemotherapy” book along with repetitive counselling by pharmacists is a useful intervention for improving QOL of cancer patients undergoing treatment.

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