Effect of Continuity of Care on Cancer-Related Fatigue, Self-Care Ability and Fear of Recurrence in Patients with Intravesical Chemotherapy after Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors.

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing intravesical chemotherapy following transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) frequently face challenges including insufficient disease-related knowledge, inadequate self-management skills during chemotherapy intervals and discontinuity in routine postoperative care. This study aimed to investigate the effects of continuity of care patterns on cancer-related fatigue, self-care ability, fear of recurrence and risk of complications.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 105 patients who received intravesical chemotherapy after TURBT in our hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. The patients were divided into a study group (receiving continuity of care, n = 44) and a control group (not receiving continuity of care, n = 61) according to whether they received continuity of care. Their baseline characteristics and clinical data were retrospectively analysed, and their Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised (PFS-R), Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA) and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory Scale (FCRI) scores were collected before and 6 months after intervention.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the behavioural fatigue, emotional fatigue and somatosensory fatigue dimension scores and PFSR total points of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The scores in the dimensions of sense of responsibility, self-concept, self-care skills and health knowledge level and ESCA total points of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The severity, coping strategies, psychological distress, insight, reassurance dimension scores and FCRI total points of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). During the follow-up period, the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and urethral pain in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuity of care was associated with reduced cancer-related fatigue, improved self-care ability, low fear of recurrence and few complications such as UTI and urethral pain in patients receiving intravesical chemotherapy after TURBT. This study describes an evidence-based care protocol designed to improve transitional healthcare management for this patient population.