Studying the Experience of Working with Chemotherapy Drugs among Nursing Specialists in Oncology Clinics of the Kazakhstan

Abstract

The purpose of the study to describe the nursing practices related to the administration of chemotherapy and aims to assess the level of
competence among nursing professionals, identify challenges encountered while working with chemotherapy, and evaluate the safety conditions
in their workplace.
Methods. This study presents a cross-sectional design using a quantitative method. The participants in this study are nursing specialists actively engaged in handling chemotherapy drugs in three prominent clinics in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which offer medical care to patients with oncohematological and oncological conditions affecting the respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems. A total of 70 completed questionnaires were collected from nursing professionals working in these clinics. The data collected was statistically analyzed using STATA 14 statistical software. The analysis focused on assessing educational qualifications, workload, workplace safety climate, and the complexity of
nursing practices for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Results. The majority of participants are relatively young professionals with limited experience in working with chemotherapy drugs and no specialized training in this field. Overall, participants displayed a reasonable understanding of breeding conditions, the effects of chemotherapy drugs, the use of PPE and the implementation of preventive measures when handling them. However, there was a lack of
awareness regarding the proper transportation of chemotherapy drugs and the requisite protocols for the disposal of medical and biological waste generated by patients receiving chemotherapy. The study revealed that clinics where participants were interviewed offered mentoring and peer support programs. According to participants, the primary challenges in working with chemotherapy revolved around caring for patients experiencing chemotherapy-related side effects, mainly due to the high workload and the inherent toxicity of chemotherapy. Nevertheless, most participants indicated that workplace safety conditions were maintained at a high level.
Conclusion. This study provides valuable insights into the practices of nursing specialists involved in administering chemotherapy in multiple oncology clinics within the Republic of Kazakhstan. It sheds light on the experiences of these professionals and offers a comprehensive understanding of the existing conditions and challenges faced when delivering chemotherapy to patients.