Sestrinski glasnik, Vol. 29 No. 2, 2024.
Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.29.2.8
Care for patients with large skin tumors of the head and neck
Đurđica Grabovac
; Veleučilište u Bjelovaru Trg Eugena Kvaternika 4, 43 000 Bjelovar, Republika Hrvatska
*
Stjepan Grabovac
; Opće bolnica „Dr. Anđelko Višić“ Bjelovar Mihanovićeva 8, 43 000 Bjelovar, Republika Hrvatska
Daliborka Vukmanić
; Veleučilište u Bjelovaru Trg Eugena Kvaternika 4, 43 000 Bjelovar, Republika Hrvatska
Ivan Pokec
; Veleučilište u Bjelovaru Trg Eugena Kvaternika 4, 43 000 Bjelovar, Republika Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Introduction: In their daily work, healthcare workers care for patients with visible skin tumors in the head and neck area. The question arises as to why some patients with large skin tumors come to the care of health professionals in an advanced stage of the disease. It is a significant challenge to maintain a patient's dignity when their physical appearance is violated. Care for such a patient should be a collaborative effort of the healthcare team.
Aim: The research aims to investigate why patients with large skin tumors of the head and neck seek treatment late, which population they belong to, and how to raise awareness among patients and society about the importance of seeking timely treatment at a health facility.
Respondents and methods: The subjects were patients with large tumors of the skin of the head and neck who came to the Clinic for Skin Tumors, Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the General Hospital "Dr. Anđelko Višić" Bjelovar in the period from 2021-2022. The total number was 20 patients. The examination was carried out by looking at the anamnestic and hetero-amnestic data. The use of data from the patient documentation was approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution.
The results: Looking at the obtained data, it is evident that the patients can be categorized into a group of complex patients, which means that the reason for the late presentation of patients for treatment is their medical complexity, socioeconomic factors, and mental illnesses that worsen the health condition, as well as the patient's behavior and characteristics. The social anamnesis of the patients is that out of 20 patients, only 5 of them lived alone, while 15 patients were in their primary families or were placed in one of the institutions.
Conclusion: This category includes complex patients who are often unaware of their condition, resulting in delayed treatment. Successful treatment and rehabilitation for these patients require a collaborative approach involving both medical and social care.
Keywords
large head and neck tumors; complex patient; teamwork; care for the patients
Hrčak ID:
320100
URI
Publication date:
16.8.2024.
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