Integrating psychological health management and Fluorine-18 nuclear medicine nursing in cancer treatment: An innovative model for enhanced radiation protection
Abstract
Background: Fluorine-18 (F-18) nuclear medicine procedures often cause cancer patients undergoing the treatment to experience severe psychological distress, while also exposing healthcare workers to occupational radiation exposure. The study aimed to evaluate the integration of psychological health management with the Radiation-Sensitive Nursing Care Model (R-SNCM) to improve patient treatment outcomes, compliance, and healthcare worker safety. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care cancer center from January 2022 to December 2023. The study involved 236 participants, including 200 cancer patients and 36 healthcare professionals. The R-SNCM framework included patient education, emotion monitoring using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and advanced radiation safety protocols. Outcomes were assessed through psychological scores, radiation exposure indicators, patient satisfaction, and surgical compliance. Statistical analyses were performed through paired t-tests, repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression. Results: After the intervention, the psychological distress of patients significantly decreased, with anxiety scores reducing from 10.6 ± 3.1 to 7.3 ± 2.6 and depression scores decreasing from 9.4 ± 3.5 to 6.5 ± 2.8 (p < 0.001). The monthly radiation exposure of healthcare workers was observably reduced, from 2.6 ± 0.5 mSv to 1.8 ± 0.4 mSv (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction scores increased from 3.8 ± 0.7 to 4.6 ± 0.4 (p < 0.001), and surgical compliance improved to 95% in the intervention group compared to 81% in the control group (p < 0.001). Logistic regression indicated that attendance at training sessions (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.85, p < 0.001) and baseline anxiety scores (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) were significant predictive factors of compliance and psychological improvement, respectively. Conclusion: The integration of psychological health management with the R-SNCM significantly improved psychological outcomes, patient compliance, and satisfaction, while reducing radiation exposure for healthcare workers. These findings support the adoption of this model as a holistic approach to cancer care.
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