Educational strategy in the geriatric population with oncological diagnosis of "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy" Polyclinic

Abstract

Introduction: In Cuba there is a marked increase in the population over 60 years old, while cancer is the leading cause of death in this age group, representing 73% of all deaths from this disease.

Objective: Design an educational strategy addressed to caregivers and elderly patients with oncological diagnosis from "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy" Polyclinic of Guanabo.

Methods: A prospective and longitudinal study was designed with the application of a questionnaire to patients and caregivers of the elderly population diagnosed with neoplasia, belonging to the health area Guanabo, Habana del Este municipality, Havana province. An educational strategy was developed and it was validated during the first and last quarters of 2018.

Results: Most of the patients were aged between 60-69 years, the male gender prevailed and the oncological locations lung, breast and colon encompassed almost half of the patients, 38 patients had more than one year of being diagnosed. Daughters and wives were the most represented caregivers. The onset of pain without relief and feeding were the biggest concerns for patients and caregivers. An educational strategy was designed and applied with talks, newsletters and consultations, which when evaluating its impact turned out to be 82.7% and 90.5% in the first quarter and the last quarter of 2018, respectively.

Conclusions: The designed educational strategy managed to expand the knowledge of caregivers and patients on the appropriate way to administer food and medicines, their adverse effects and their management, and care at home. In addition, its validity over time could be demonstrated.

Keywords: Educational strategy; cancer; population ageing; caregivers; pharmacists.