Effect of Informational Support on Uncertainty in Illness among Mastectomy Patients

Author	Mrs. Sun Hong
M.N.S.	Medical and Surgical Nursing
Examining Committee	Lecturer. Dr. Pikul Nantachaipan	Chairman
	Lecturer. Sunee Junmahasathien	Member
	Assistant. Professor. Dr. Achara Sukouthasarn	Member
	Assist. Professor. Dr. Wipada Kunaviktikul	Member
	Professor. Wang Yong	Member

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group pretest and posttest design was to examine the effect of informational support on uncertainty in illness among mastectomy patients. A purposive sampling of 30 mastectomy patients was obtained from the general surgical ward at Beijing Hospital during November 1999 and February 2000. The first 15 subjects were assigned to the control group, other 15 subjects were assigned to the experimental group. The control group received routine information, while the experimental group received information support according to informational support guideline developed by the researcher on the first and the second day of admission and the first or second day after operation. All subjects were asked to answer the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale three times at the day of admission, the day before operation, and the day before discharge.

The results of the study showed statistically significant difference in the decreasing of uncertainty in illness score between the experimental group and control group. The decreasing score between the day of admission and the day before operation in the experimental group was greater than in the control group (p < .01). Within the experimental group, the mean rank of uncertainty in illness scores after receiving informational support was significantly different with before receiving information (p < .01). The posttest uncertainty in illness scores decreased from the pretest score, both on the day before operation and before discharge.

Results of the study were discussed in terms of validity of Mishel's theory of uncertainty in illness as well as contribution to nursing. Implications for the nursing practice and nursing research were recommended.

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