The effects of advanced prostate cancer management on health service care providers in western Kenya region

Abstract

Background: The management of advanced prostatic cancer patients in hospitals are known to impact on the patient as well as the core  health care services providers, and patient’s relatives. This study was purposed to examine for the effects and put forward suggestions to  ameliorate the negative impacts.

Objective: To establish the effects of advanced prostate cancer management outcome on the  involved health care service providers.

Design: Cross-sectional study with in-depth interviews of core healthcare service providers.

Setting: County Referral Hospitals of the 8 counties in western Kenya region.

Subjects: Fifty-six healthcare service providers involved in the management of prostate cancer patients in the region.

Results: The respondents’ ages ranged between 27 years and 59 years with a  mean ±standard deviation of 40.1 ± 7.7 years. Majority of the patients (92.9%) presented with advanced disease. Major treatment options  offered were palliative care and symptoms control. The stated effects on the healthcare providers included disappointment with the  management processes, limited options of care, low morale, and poor job satisfaction. The suggested ways to improve the care were focused on cancer health support, improved human resources, and infrastructural quality for dedicated services.

Conclusion: Advanced  prostate cancer management in the Western region of Kenya was limited to palliative care and symptoms control. The health care service providers were negatively impacted by the poor outcome of management and the suggestions were to improve human and  infrastructural support for better outcomes.