The Buddhist coping experiences of breast cancer survivors: A phenomenological approach

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women in Hong Kong, with an incidence rate of one in sixteen. A cancer diagnosis is a life changing event, and the impact of breast cancer disrupts daily lives in multiple ways. Religion and/or spirituality can provide a means to cope with stress and the fear of recurrence. There is, however, little in the way of research on the Buddhist faith, particularly as it applies to women with breast cancer in Hong Kong.DesignA phenomenological research design guided data collection. A purposive sample was recruited, comprising 10 women who survived breast cancer. A total of twenty semi-structured, in-depth and face to face interviews were conducted with these women. Their unique lifeworld stories reflected the wider context of healthcare in Hong Kong. AnalysisTwo layers of data reduction were employed; thematic analysis and the van Manen's phenomenological method. A Gadamerian hermeneutic approach that was applied elucidated phenomenological aspects of the participants’ lifeworld experiences.Findings There were two significant sources of stress for all these women; the suffering caused by treatment and the pressure to fulfil their role as a mother. New knowledge was generated, including the 'lifeworld' essences which reflected suffering that transcended words, and gratitude for the support of others. All the women voiced two objectives in life: "to actualise their essence of life" and "to study and practice their Buddhist faith." Both body and mind changed from passively "being helped by others" to actively "empowering and encouraging other people." Conclusion Searching for the meaning of life is important in helping women cope with adversity when living with cancer. The researcher suggests cancer survivors define their ultimate goal in life and explore the significance of their faith, which empowers them to achieve happiness in their own unique way.Words: 29

Percepciones y expectativas del usuario sobre calidad de la atención de consultorios externos de gastroenterología del Hospital Belén de Trujillo - 2017

Objetivo: Establecer las percepciones y expectativas del usuario sobre la calidad de la atención de consultorios externos de Gastroenterología del Hospital Belén de Trujillo – 2017. Material y Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 180 encuestados. Resultados: El promedio de edad de los encuestados fue 45.31±16.48, el género masculino abarcó al 56.11%; el nivel superior técnico estuvo presente en 27.22%, seguido del superior universitario en 23.89%. El 67.78% pertenecieron al Seguro Integral de Salud y el 72.22% fueron usuarios continuadores. El promedio de percepciones fue 105.20±21.84 y de expectativas 139.63±9.74 (dif. medias: 34.43; IC95%= 30.919-37.941; t=19.31, p=0.0000). El 100% de las preguntas del instrumento mostraron insatisfacción. La frecuencia por tipo de satisfacción según dimensiones de la calidad identificó a los aspectos tangibles con 96.1% de insatisfacción (173 usuarios), la seguridad 92.8% de insatisfacción, la empatía 89.4%, la capacidad de respuesta 88.9% y fiabilidad 82.2% de insatisfacción. La frecuencia de satisfacción global fue 8.3% (15 usuarios). Conclusiones: Las percepciones mostraron una media inferior a las expectativas, la diferencia fue estadísticamente muy significativa. En todas las preguntas del instrumento prevaleció la insatisfacción. Todas las dimensiones de la calidad mostraron insatisfacción. La satisfacción global fue de 8.3%.Objective: To establish the perceptions and expectations of the user about the quality of the care of external clinics of Gastroenterology of Hospital Belén de Trujillo - 2017. Material and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 180 respondents. Results: The average age of the respondents was 45.31 ± 16.48, the male gender comprised 56.11%; The technical superior level was present in 27.22%, followed by the university superior in 23.89%. 67.78% belonged to Integral Health Insurance and 72.22% were continuos users. The mean of perceptions was 105.20 ± 21.84 and expectations were 139.63 ± 9.74 (mean difference: 34.43; 95% CI = 30.919-37.941; t = 19.31, p = 0.0000). 100% of the questions on the instrument showed dissatisfaction. The frequency by type of satisfaction according to dimensions of quality identified the tangible aspects with 96.1% of dissatisfaction (173 users), safety 92.8% of dissatisfaction, empathy 89.4%, responsiveness 88.9% and reliability 82.2% of dissatisfaction. The overall satisfaction rate was 8.3% (15 users). Conclusions: Perceptions showed an average lower than expectations, the difference was statistically very significant. In all the questions of the instrument prevailed the dissatisfaction. All dimensions of quality showed dissatisfaction. Overall satisfaction was 8.3%.Tesi

Managerial stress in Hong Kong and Taiwan : a comparative study

The purpose of this study was to investigate occupational stress in managers in Hong Kong (N=280) and Taiwan (N=347) using the Occupational Stress Indicator-2 (OSI-2). The results showed that the reliabilities and predictive validity of the OSI-2 subscales were reasonably high in both samples. The logical relationships between job satisfaction, mental and physical well-being that were found in the two samples have provided support to the findings obtained in Western countries. The predictors for health effects were various and many in the two places. Further, there were gender differences in managerial stress in Hong Kong: female managers scored higher in sources of stress and quitting intention; but had lower job satisfaction, worse mental and physical well-being than male managers. These differences could not be found in Taiwanese managers, yet Taiwanese female managers did report more stress related to the Managerial role\u27 than their male counterparts. The authors provided some explanations for the similarities and differences in. managerial stress in the two places

Occupational stress among factory workers in Hong Kong and China : a comparison study

The purpose of the study was to investigate occupational stress among Hong Kong factory workers (N=138) using the shortened version of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI)-2, to compare it with a sample of factory workers (N=342) in China. The results showed that the reliabilities and predictive validity of the OSI-2 subscales and other subscales used for the study were reasonably high. Workers in China scored significantly higher in the means of job satisfaction, mental and physical well-being, satisfaction on environmental condition, and perceived work pressure than Hong Kong workers. The main sources of stress and the coping strategies that were most frequently used to tackle stress were different in the two groups. In addition, the predictors for job strain were various and many in the two groups. The logical relationships between job satisfaction, mental well-being and physical well-being that were found in the two groups have provided support to the findings obtained in Western countries. Further, coping had no direct or moderating effect on the stressor-strain relationships in either of the two groups