Effects of Pharmaceutical Care in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective:  To investigate the effect of pharmaceutical care on the knowledge, self care behavior and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients. Method: Participants were colorectal cancer patients receiving at least 1 course of chemotherapy at Chemotherapy Unit, Khon Kaen Hospital, from 3 rd  January to 31st  March 2009. All participants were given a pre-test including questionnaires on  knowledge, self care behavior and quality of life (FACT-C version 4), then randomly divided into 2 groups, intervention (n = 14) and control (n = 15) groups. Patients in control group received routine care while those in intervention group received pharmaceutical care (e.g. knowledge about their cancer, chemotherapy and self care). Post-test was given after their next course of chemotherapy. Results: Based on post-test, patients in the intervention group were found to have significantly greater knowledge (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the self care behavior or quality of life between the two groups.  Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care improves score on knowledge about cancer, self care and chemotherapy; but not on self care or quality of life in colorectal patients. Further research is required to optimize its impact on quality of life. Relevant factors such as follow-up, number of intervention, and local language should also be investigated for their impacts on improving clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Keywords: colorectal cancer, pharmaceutical care, quality of life, chemotherapy