Life quality for ostomized patients: a perspective in the health and nursing care process

Abstract

Evidence shows that there is association between the quality of life (QoL) of ostomized patients and the results of  WHOQOL-bref questionnaire. Mensurable knowledge regarding facets and dimension of the mentioned questionnaire is highly valuable for guidance involving the multidisciplinary crew for nursing care, taken into consideration that specialized care has major influence on the QoL scores. To better assess which of these facets are strongly correlated to tue questionnaire dimensions targeting its identification and the development of internal guidelines take advantage of such information aiming to improve QoL on the one hundred and six patients served by the Ambulatory Care Program for ostomy patients in the Federal District Health Secretariat, Brazil. The questionnaire scores where correlated to the several dimensions in order to pinpoint which of those has major contribution on patients QoL, by generating correlation coefficient (square r) and t-student tests. The facets of Physical Domains, Social Affairs and Environment are correlated with the mean score, resulting in statistically significant associations (p < .0001). The awareness about ostomy patients’ reality may result in effective comprehensive health care of the person with ostomy, and the consequent improvement of their QoL, resulting in a process of care in health nursing, which may impact the patient's  the ability to socialize and interact, reducing the impact of depression events and its consequences as well as improving the general well being of the patient in terms of self body image and self esteem as required by the Integral health care policy. Thus, the nursing care process becomes an active and continuous act demanding special actions and behaviors targeting the improvement of human potentials, focusing on enhancing the dignity of the ostomized person, for which the nursing care process is fundamental for recovering the QoL scores to better and higher levels.