OS
My capstone project will evaluate and apply evidence-based interventions, such as physical activity, to relieve cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in hospitalized patients in the oncology unit. CRF is an unpleasant and debilitating symptom that many people receiving cancer treatment encounter. It can significantly impact patients’ quality of life, functional abilities, and general well-being. Furthermore, CRF frequently dramatically prolongs hospital stay. Extensive studies have proven that physical activity reduces fatigue and enhances cancer patients’ energy levels. (Thong et al., 2020). However, implementing physical activity interventions in a hospital context necessitates a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms and a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of hospitalized individuals.
The theory of unpleasant symptoms is one of the theoretical frameworks that might be applied to this capstone project. This model thoroughly explains the symptoms that people with chronic illnesses experience while highlighting that symptom are irrational experience that depend on various physiological, psychological, and social factors. The theory of unpleasant symptoms has several crucial components that fit with the objectives of the capstone project. It acknowledges that symptom experiences are multifaceted, encompassing physical sensations, emotional responses, and cognitive interpretations. The intervention can be modified to address the physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects of cancer-related fatigue by considering the holistic experience of cancer-related fatigue. (Moore, 2021).
Second, the idea emphasizes the significance of symptom treatment in enhancing general well-being and quality of life. It stresses the individual’s preferences and coping skills, which can be incorporated into the physical activity intervention’s development. Individual preferences can be considered when designing an intervention to encourage engagement and adherence, thus increasing effectiveness. Furthermore, the theory recognizes that disease-related factors, patient traits, and environmental influences can all impact symptom experiences and management. By recognizing these risk factors, the intervention can be tailored to meet the individual requirements and problems of hospitalized people suffering from cancer-related fatigue. (Moore, 2021).
While the theory of unpleasant symptoms is a good starting point for the capstone project, alternative theoretical models can be investigated. The biopsychosocial paradigm, for example, investigates the interconnections of biological, psychological, and social components in determining symptom experiences and management. This model can explain how patients’ disease symptoms affects health related quality of life. As a result, this paradigm may help guide the development of a complete remedy. (Irtelli& Durbano, 2020).
In conclusion, theoretical models can help the capstone project on lowering cancer-related fatigue in hospitalized patients through physical exercise. The theory of unpleasant symptoms provides a useful framework for understanding and resolving the multifaceted features of fatigue. However, the biopsychosocial model offers a more comprehensive view of the interrelationships between biological, psychological, and social components.
References
Irtelli, F., & Durbano, F. (2020). Quality of life and biopsychosocial paradigm: A narrative review of the concept and specific insights. In (Ed.), Quality of life – biopsychosocial perspectives. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91877
Moore, A. (2021). The holistic theory of unpleasant symptoms. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 40(2), 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101211031706
Thong, M. S., van Noorden, C. F., Steindorf, K., & Arndt, V. (2020). Cancer-related fatigue: Causes and current treatment options. Current Treatment Options in Oncology, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-020-0707-5
CP
The Health Belief Model (HBM) will be used as the theoretical model. This framework relates to the phenomenon of interest and research by allowing the identification of patients’ personal beliefs regarding health maintenance and lifestyle changes to improve risk factors concerning elevated blood pressure or hypertension (HTN) (Etheridge et al., 2023).
Because HTN is known as “the silent killer” (FDA, 2021), predominantly affecting African American or Black communities, screening for elevated blood pressure at each patient visit is a beginning, but it is not enough. Understanding the complexity of our patients’ lifestyles may help us develop and streamline plans. This will also provide an opportunity to evaluate the associated risk of elevated blood pressure with the patient and how it can affect their heart, vessels, and other organs. They may not understand that being of African descent place them at a higher risk for heart disease and mortality (CDC, 2017) (Lutz, 2023).
The patient can then decide if they would like to take action to help prevent complications (Adiyoso et al., 2023). We can implement lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk to the patient associated with elevated blood pressure (FDA, 2021). The HBM will allow me to study if reaching a particular goal in a demographic group is achievable by incorporating changes to a learned or practiced behavior. Since culture, racism, and resources are significant factors within this community, the HBM can then identify how practical these interventions are in relation to the challenges they may face. If attainable and manageable, then they may be more willing to continue those behaviors, which can result in an improvement in life and a reduction of comorbidities. If not, the HBM can help identify the major constricts, whether it is genuinely behavioral, genetic, or circumstantial.
When we can identify the root cause of poorly controlled blood pressure in the African American community, we can restructure plans that will promote health initiatives.
References
Adiyoso, W., Wilopo, W., Mondry, Nurbaiti, B., &Suprapto, F. A. (2023). The use of Health Belief Model (HBM) to explain factors underlying people to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Indonesia. Vaccine: X, 14, 100297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100297
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2017, July 3). African American health. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aahealth/index.html
Embedded update May 20, 2020
Etheridge, J. C., Sinyard, R. D., & Brindle, M. E. (2023). Translational surgery. Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323903004000434
Lutz, R. (2023). Health disparities among African-Americans. Pfizer. https://www.pfizer.com/news/articles/health_disparities_among_african_americans
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2021, January 21). High blood pressure–understanding the silent killer. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/high-blood-pressure-understanding-silent-killer
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