Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study is conducted comparatively to evaluate the knowledge and practice of nurses applying biologically targeted therapy in the management of cancer and autoimmune diseases. METHODS: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with volunteer nurses working in adult polyclinics and clinics of hospitals in Eskişehir and Çankırı provinces. The nurses who participated in the research were assigned to two groups: Group A; those who apply biological agents, Group B; those who do not apply biological agents. The data were collected using face-to-face interview method by means of individual identification form, biological agent application and information form. Data analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS 21 package program. Values of continuous variables are given as mean ± standard deviation, values of categorical variables are given as frequency and percentage. The relationship between the categorical variables was evaluated by chi square analysis. RESULTS: The sample of the study consists of 204 nurses (Group A: %47,1; Group B: %52,9). Comparing to nurses of Group B, nurses of Group A are well informed about the following in the way that will create statistically significant difference: the cost of biological agents is high (p<0,001), some biological agents need to be stored according to the cold chain rule (p<0,001), the patients’ allergy story is the determining factor in the treatment (p=0,019), treatment related opportunistic infections may occur with biological agents (p=0,008). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study, it was found that nurses of Group A, who had experience about biological agents and nurses of Group B, who had no experience and education in this regard mostly responded correctly to proposals related to biological agents.

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