The Relationship Of Family Support To The Coping Mechanism Of Patients With Cancer In The Poly Oncology Of Dr. Pirngadi Regional Hospital Medan

Feb 27, 2025 by ADMIN 144 views

The Relationship of Family Support to Coping Mechanisms of Patients with Cancer in the Poly Oncology of Dr. Pirngadi Regional Hospital Medan

Introduction

Cancer is a disease that affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their social status, age, or sex. According to data, women are the most commonly affected group. This study aims to investigate the relationship between family support and the coping mechanisms of patients with cancer in the Dr. Pirngadi Regional Hospital Medan's poly oncology department in 2014. In this context, families are defined as two or more individuals who are bound by certain relationships and share experiences and emotional approaches. Meanwhile, coping mechanisms refer to various efforts made by individuals to overcome the stress they face.

Background

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease that affects not only the physical health of patients but also their emotional and psychological well-being. The diagnosis of cancer can be a life-altering event that can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. In this context, family support plays a crucial role in helping patients cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer.

Methodology

This study uses a quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach and involves sampling in a row. The results showed that the majority of family support based on instrumental aspects were considered bad (68%), while support based on aspects of information, evaluation, emotional, and financial in a row was considered good (67%, 57%, 65%, and 67%). In addition, the majority of patient coping mechanisms with cancer are also categorized well (78%). This study found that there was a significant relationship between family support for the patient's coping mechanism, with the value of P = 0.030 and the strength of the correlation (R) of 0.390.

The Role of Family Support in Coping Mechanisms

Family support has a crucial role in improving the coping mechanism of cancer patients. The family does not only function as an emotional source, but also as a provider of information and financial support that can ease the burden faced by patients. When this support is available, patients are more likely to develop an adaptive coping mechanism, which in turn can improve their quality of life.

Types of Family Support

There are several types of family support that can be beneficial for cancer patients. These include:

Emotional Support: Emotional support from the family can help patients feel more accepted and understood, which is very important in facing psychological challenges due to cancer diagnosis.
Information Support: Information support provides a better understanding of patients on their conditions and available treatment options.
Financial Support: Financial support can help reduce concerns related to the cost of treatment which is often an additional source of stress for patients.

Increasing the Effectiveness of Family Support

To increase the effectiveness of family support, it is essential for family members to realize their role and communicate well with patients. Active involvement in the process of care and treatment, as well as the search for joint information can strengthen family ties and help patients feel stronger in the face of their cancer treatment.

Conclusion

Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of family support in helping cancer patients deal with this disease. Adequate support not only improves the patient's coping mechanism, but can also affect the patient's overall treatment and quality of life. The family is expected to continue to provide comprehensive support, so that cancer patients can be more optimistic in undergoing treatment and struggling against the diseases they face.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Family Support Programs: Hospitals and healthcare institutions should establish family support programs that provide emotional, informational, and financial support to cancer patients and their families.
Family Involvement: Family members should be actively involved in the care and treatment of cancer patients, and should be encouraged to communicate openly with patients and healthcare providers.
Education and Awareness: Healthcare providers and family members should be educated and aware of the importance of family support in helping cancer patients cope with the disease.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample Size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Study Design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of family support and coping mechanisms over time.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the Long-Term Effects of Family Support: Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of family support on cancer patients' coping mechanisms and quality of life.
Develop Family Support Programs: Healthcare institutions should develop family support programs that provide comprehensive support to cancer patients and their families.
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Family Support Programs: Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of family support programs in improving cancer patients' coping mechanisms and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship of Family Support to Coping Mechanisms of Patients with Cancer

Q: What is the importance of family support in cancer patients?

A: Family support is crucial in helping cancer patients cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of the disease. It can provide emotional, informational, and financial support, which can improve patients' quality of life and overall treatment outcomes.

Q: What are the different types of family support that can be beneficial for cancer patients?

A: There are several types of family support that can be beneficial for cancer patients, including:

Emotional Support: Emotional support from family members can help patients feel more accepted and understood, which is very important in facing psychological challenges due to cancer diagnosis.
Information Support: Information support provides a better understanding of patients on their conditions and available treatment options.
Financial Support: Financial support can help reduce concerns related to the cost of treatment which is often an additional source of stress for patients.

Q: How can family members provide effective support to cancer patients?

A: Family members can provide effective support to cancer patients by:

Communicating openly: Family members should communicate openly with patients and healthcare providers to understand their needs and concerns.
Being actively involved: Family members should be actively involved in the care and treatment of cancer patients, and should be encouraged to participate in decision-making.
Providing emotional support: Family members should provide emotional support to patients, including listening to their concerns and validating their feelings.

Q: What are the benefits of family support for cancer patients?

A: The benefits of family support for cancer patients include:

Improved coping mechanisms: Family support can help patients develop adaptive coping mechanisms, which can improve their quality of life and overall treatment outcomes.
Reduced stress: Family support can reduce stress and anxiety in patients, which can improve their mental health and well-being.
Improved treatment outcomes: Family support can improve treatment outcomes by increasing patients' adherence to treatment plans and reducing the risk of complications.

Q: How can healthcare providers support family members in caring for cancer patients?

A: Healthcare providers can support family members in caring for cancer patients by:

Providing education and resources: Healthcare providers should provide education and resources to family members on how to care for cancer patients, including information on treatment options and side effects.
Encouraging family involvement: Healthcare providers should encourage family members to be actively involved in the care and treatment of cancer patients.
Providing emotional support: Healthcare providers should provide emotional support to family members, including listening to their concerns and validating their feelings.

Q: What are the challenges of providing family support to cancer patients?

A: The challenges of providing family support to cancer patients include:

Emotional burden: Providing family support can be emotionally challenging, particularly for family members who are also experiencing stress and anxiety.
Information overload: Family members may experience information overload, particularly if they are not familiar with the treatment options and side effects of cancer.
Financial burden: Providing family support can be financially challenging, particularly if family members are not able to afford the costs of treatment and care.

Q: How can family members cope with the emotional challenges of caring for a cancer patient?

A: Family members can cope with the emotional challenges of caring for a cancer patient by:

Seeking support: Family members should seek support from healthcare providers, support groups, and other family members.
Practicing self-care: Family members should practice self-care, including engaging in activities that bring them joy and relaxation.
Seeking professional help: Family members should seek professional help if they are experiencing emotional distress or burnout.