Effect of Nursing Intervention of Mutual Goal Setting on Recovery of Mastectomy Patient

Jang, Eun Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to test the effectiveness of the nursing intervention, mutual goal setting, for patients who have had a mastectomy. Special reference was given to King's goal attainment theory and a theoretical framework for establishing an effective nursing strategy to enhance patient recovery is suggested. METHOD: This research employed a quasi-experimental design which consisted of pretest-posttest non-equivalent control and experimental groups. Data were collected from 37 patients who had a mastectomy and were hospitalized in the Department of Surgery of Y Medical Center from January 2001 to May 2001. The experimental group received the nursing intervention, mutual goal setting four times from the day before the operation to the fifth day after the operation while the control group received only routine nursing care. As postoperative recovery indicators, ROM of arm joints, arm circumference, pain, physical symptoms, oxygen saturation, stress, anxiety and body image were measured. RESULT: The test results are as follows : 1) there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in extension and internal rotation of the shoulder joint and flexion of the wrist joint. 2) there was no significant difference between the two groups in arm circumference. 3) there were no significant differences between the two groups in pain, physical symptoms, or oxygen saturation. 4) there were no significant differences between the two groups in stress, anxiety, or body image. On the basis of research results, the following are recommended : 1) The effectiveness of nursing intervention in the acute recovery period as well as long term effects need to be investigated. 2) There is a need to develop an instrument to measure perception which facilitates goal attainment in the interactive setting between patients and nurses.